Clay Giberson: Aiming True, Volume 1 (2004)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: January 17, 2004

Clay Giberson last crossed my radar playing with the Upper Room Trio on last year's well-received Cycling . His current release, Aiming True, Volume 1, is a solo piano excursion into moody, nocturnal climes. Is this jazz? Is this New Age? Does this belong on Hearts of Space ? Affirmative to all three. Labels are not important when the music performed is this finely crafted. Giberson is a careful composer, never wasting notes or harmonies. His playing shimmers with quiet originality and sophistication.

The compositions are tastefully short and devoid of the standard excesses that often plague this type of piano performance. "Meditation #1," "Meditation #2," and "Meditation #3" all possess a striking ambiance of dusk and meditation. Each meditation ripples over subtle changes in timbre and beat. Mr. Giberson coaxes many different colors from a given note, displaying an acutely soft piano touch. "Hello Song" possesses the beautifully improvised qualities of surprise and careful cunning. Prayer is a soulful musing with a relaxing, enriching quality.

Overall, Aiming True is a collection of nocturnes best enjoyed with a snifter of brandy late at night. I hope that the "Volume 1" is not a ploy, as this is very fine listening music.

For more information, visit Origin Records and Clay Giberson on the web.

Track Listing: Meditation #1, August, Elders, Meditation #2, Hello Song, Aiming True, Curve-Ball, Meditation #3, Giving Thanks, Prayer.

Personnel: Clay Giberson

Style: Ambient