"music & lyrics with vocalist Wendy Lands have passion", December 15, 2002

Reviewer: Mr. Jim (see more about me) from Missouri-USA

So true and tender is just part of this not to be taken lightly album "Sings the Music of the Pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman", featuring Wendy Lands. The first time you listen to this CD you discover Lands doesn't have much of a voice, but the way she delivers a song is the distinctive part of her charm. Backed up by a wonderful array of musicians ~ Heitor Pereira (acoustic guitar electric guitar), Mitchell Holder (acoustic guitar), Ricardo Silveira (electric guitar), John Leftwich (piano/synthesizers/acoustic bass), Kendall Kay (drums), Sid Page (violin), Greg Leisz (lap slide guitar), Tony Humeke (percussion/drums), Renato Neto (piano), Jeff Pevar (electric guitar/lap slide guitar), Greg Leisz (lap slide guitar) and Larry Treadwell (electric rhythm guitar) with lingering arrangements from John Leftwich to die for.

Some stand outs ~ "FALL IN LOVE AGAIN", with "the fire burned us way back when, has refined us into best of friends, I think it's time we light that flame again, I think it's time we fall in love again", how many times have we felt that way only to relive it again with this haunting melody from Szpilman ~ "DANCING WITH ANTONIO", lyrics by Larry John McNally speak of "why does falling in love mean losing my mind, your laughter, your lips, your hand on my hips" leaves the listener in a tizzy, great stuff ~ the best of the dozen is "TURN AWAY", arranger producer John Leftwich hits the mark all the way with lyrics of "so come fill my arms, let me persuade you, open up your heart to me, there's a tenderness you hide, let go your fears, show me the passion, all those secret places hiding traces of our deepest darkest love, don't turn away", this is some pretty deep stuff. And vocalist Wendy Lands performance is light, fun and heartfelt within the realm of each composition, from genres of bluegrass, jazz, blues, country and even torch styling that brings pure entertainment to the listener. This my music-loving-friends is a keeper.

Total Time 50:29 on 12 Tracks ~ Hip-O Records 440-066-534-2 ~ (2002)