CD Review: Timothy Cooper - Light On The Water

Timothy Cooper - Light On The Water
2008, Timothy Cooper

Timothy Cooper is a pianist, photographer and filmmaker, in addition to being the Executive Director of Worldrights, a human rights advocacy organization. Cooper believes in shining a light on world problems with his art, and the Light On The Water was recorded as a series of new age style improvisations reflecting on the 9/11 attacks and the healing that occurred afterward.

Light On The Water consists of 19 tracks of unstructured improvisational piano playing. The songs themselves flow from one to the other without significant variation in sound or dynamic, making this an ideal disc for meditation or for background music for a meal. It is difficult to discuss standout tracks as there is no one track here that really grabs the listener's attention. It is a solid recording and pleasant to listen to, but not particularly remarkable. Even changes in dynamic would create tension or conflict and resolution, but such dramatic elements are scant.

Timothy Cooper is obviously a multi-talented individual who is doing his part to make the world a better place. Light On The Water is a musical expression of some of the change Cooper wants to see in the world, but as an image it is uninspiring. The spark one might expect just isn't there. Light On The Water is a pleasant listen, but nothing more.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Timothy Cooper at www.new-age-piano.com. You can purchase a copy of Light On The Water at www.cdbaby.com/cd/timothycooper2.