Any diehard Zombies fan knows that Rod Argent is--alongside the incredibly underrated Pablo Cruise's Corey Lerios--simply one of the best longstanding keyboard players in the history of popular music. I would love to say that, after the extensive body of work the man has been involved in, that this collection of pieces comes as no surprise. Well, guess what? It DOES!
Always fresh, new, and inventive, Rod Argent never fails to amaze me with his verile, always youthful talent. If he has arthritis, he surely could fool me! His hands are as swiftly adept as they were in his early twenties, and the emotion he packs into each track is both awesome and impressive. For somebody who once stated that he lost interest in playing piano the most was when his parents paid for lessons, all I can say is a decidedly understated wow! Prodigious? You bet. There is nothing this man can't play in any genre, and that is nothing short of an enviously awe-inspiring gift. I took five years of lessons and sound like I only took five minutes.:-)
Gorgeous interpretations of mostly Chopin, Ravel, Grieg, Bach, and Elgar abound. My favorite compositions are his own, particularly his spirited jazzy "Fiesta," which is beautifully Latino inspired. Romantic, sensual, and sensitively handled, this is not an album for the eclectic rock veteran to miss. Don't like classical music very much? Then give this a try. It's worth the pleasure of drinking in.