David Edwards Piano

“Still the River Flows is the third album from pianist/composer David M. Edwards and his first solo piano album. A professional musician from the age of 15, Edwards has had a long career in a wide variety of bands and groups - from rock to country to jazz - and realized several years ago that in order to have a career as a solo artist, he needed to focus on a musical style that was truly his own. After spending a few years exploring what that style is, Edwards found that writing solo piano music “straight from the heart” best expressed what he wanted to say through his music. The results are lovely! The album begins with “Morning Song” and moves through what can be thought of as life compressed into one day. All of the fourteen pieces are smooth and melodic with a warm and comfortable feeling. The album was mastered by Joe Bongiorno at his Piano Haven Studio, ensuring a beautiful piano sound.As I mentioned, the album begins with “Morning Song,” a gentle piece that overflows with the optimism and promise of a new day. “Summer Dance” is light and breezy with a carefree attitude. The title track is a favorite as it peacefully meanders while telling its story. “Just a Simple Song” has a melody that is sweet, uncomplicated and strong enough to support lyrics (none are needed!!!). “For a Long, Long Time” seems especially poignant and heartfelt - a story told with simple honesty and deep emotion. “On a Cloudy Day” expresses the gentle melancholy that can settle in on a sunless day and could also be a metaphor for one of the less wonderful periods that seem to appear in everyone’s lives. I really like this one, too! “Take Me With You” picks up the tempo with feelings of excitement and anticipation. “Wistfully” has a free, day-dreamy, floating-on-a-cloud kind of feel - very soothing and tranquil. “Wherever You Are” is a slow, beautiful love song that seems to be sad and full of longing - another favorite. “Walking By the Shore” expresses the peacefulness of a walk along the shoreline of a calm ocean or lake. The rhythm of the piece successfully mimics the easy ebb and flow of quiet waters and also provides a delicate massage for the mind. “Won’t You Stay” brings the album to a close with a piece that conveys deep feelings of love and tenderness and ends with a sigh. Still the River Flows is a great start to a new phase in David M. Edwards’ music career! It is available from Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby as well as many streaming sites.Kathy Parsons” - Kathy Parsons

“I have gazed at the picture that is the art work for this album and I must have travelled through a thousand memories myself, most of them delightfully happy. I’m still looking at it now, whilst listening to this quite emotive, yet uplifting release and my senses tell me it’s yet again time to walk through Alice’s musical mirror and take part in another journey of sound and tone. David M. Edwards is a pianist of great style and fluency, from the very first track one can really feel that, it is entitled Morning Song and is a bright and airy composition, akin to opening the windows to the first sunny day of spring. Edwards has done himself proud with this opening composition, a great start to the album indeed. This is the artists’ first solo piano album; he has covered many genres with his talents preceding this. On this album the arrangements and compositions are so rich and filled with colour and his performances so gifted, an example of this can be found on Summer Dance, picking up off the energy of the last track, Edwards creates a lively yet smooth song that literally does what it says on the can, and dances right across the mind’s eye. When I first saw the title of this album I knew it was my destiny to write a review for it, rivers for me represent the ever flowing nature of life in all its impermanence and beauty and I was right, the composition is a thing of great artistic endeavour all on its own. The title track Still the River Flows is an outstanding arrangement, one that has a level of reflection and emotion within its walls, but at no time over studious, this in my view is simply adorable and should be used as the theme music for a TV show.Our journey through the day continues with this next piece called Just a Simple Song, the melody here is very moving and very memory filled, Edwards’s fluent performances are indeed as attractive to gaze at, as is the art work of the album. Here once more the artist title says it all, a simple song, while that may be true, it is played with such a level of honesty which is deeply refreshing. There’s a certain sweetness about the track For a Long, Long Time, a truly colourful, yet emotive piece, one that would fit quite well with the album cover too. You could imagine sitting on the banks of the river in silent reflection listening to this piece, perhaps for a long, long time. I gave a wry smile when I got to this track, it’s called Nineteen in 69. The one thing that springs to mind when 1969 is mentioned is of course the Apollo Moon landings. On that day I was a mere 12 years old, but am still as wide eyed and open mouthed to this day when space travel is mentioned. I guess each has their own memory of a time, a year, for me Edward’s performance on this piece was quite breath-taking and was packed with energy of excitement and wonder. I have arrived on that peak, the tor of music we know as the midway point of the album, and this is where you will find my favourite track off the release called On a Cloudy Day. This one is filled with a delightful slice of memory and reflection; one could imagine lying on a hillside, as pleasant thoughts of happy days drift past like the small white clouds above, a truly sublime solo piano performance by Edwards here. The tempo picks up now as we reach this next composition called Take Me with You. This flourishing arrangement has all the hallmarks of a plea of a loved one to join their partner on a journey of excitement and wonder. The performance here is upbeat and literally brims with the energy of excitement, almost like we’re running down the hill together hand in hand; this could easily be the sound track of that very moment. We are now entering the latter half of the album and we find a truly beautiful composition waiting for us, it is called Evening Song and this luscious offering has one of the sweetest melodies on the album. The construction of this piece is wonderfully crafted and the narrative of this time of day is perfectly executed by the artist, one can almost hear the Blackbirds call to each other as the sun begins to sink in a crimson sky, an utterly idyllic composition indeed. This next piece I thought fitted in nicely with the preceding one, and is entitled Wistfully. The thoughtful performance here is like watching the smoke drift from a chimney in early autumn, it has a slow but deliberate sense of movement, it’s almost angelic-like in presence, perhaps tinged with a little regret, but done in a deeply contemplative mood and played by a master of emotional tone. I Remember That is our next port of musical call, this is a really interesting musical sojourn to partake, the performance is creative and well-constructed, this is a really clever piece, one that I really adored, the major minor interplay was sublime and beautifully created, the flourishing yet tender presentation was simply amazing, for me this would be one of the stand out tracks from the album, and at times almost reminiscent of Elton John. The shortest piece off the release is this one and called Wherever You Are, but what is time when such beauty is to be found. We all carry memories of our lives around with us, and in those vulnerable moments they turn into pure emotion, here Edwards has created a snap shot of an emotive moment of time and thus created a short form opus of great sensitivity. One of my favourite things to do with my beautiful wife is the actual title of this next piece and called Walking By The Shore, which for us is quite easy to do as we live on a small island. For each step taken on this shoreline, waves gently lap up to the rocks, the sun sinks with a charming red smile and all is as it should be in our world. This is a wonderful penultimate offering, for me this solo piano performance encapsulates my musings above, and makes me very grateful indeed, this must now be the sound track for my evening’s perambulations. The end of the album is upon us now as the sun slowly sinks on our musical horizon, but before the light fades from this stage of expressive genius, we have one last gift of class that will now be performed for us by the artist, it is our parting piece called Won’t You Stay. A stylish way indeed to leave the album, one packed with passion and an imploring narrative of hope and love.David M. Edwards and his creation Still the River Flows, is a manifestation of a timeless collection of beautiful solo piano compositions, ones that will linger for a long while within the musical memory. This is an album of the heart, performed by a musician who is clearly playing from it. Still the River Flows maybe the debut solo piano album from the artist, but it is eternal and played with the honesty and a sublime brilliance you would imagine from a seasoned master.” - Steve Sheppard

“David Edwards’s musical journey has been filled with twists and turns. He began piano lessons at age 12, studied classical piano and jazz theory at the University of North Texas, and over the course of his career he been a composer of commercial tunes, a salesman at a large music store, and a performer with successful regional country bands. But years of a grueling performance schedule combined with heavy computer use led to serious injury that prevented him from playing the piano for many years. Thankfully, a meeting with classical pianist Leon Fleischer, who has suffered with similar hand problems, inspired David to take healing measures that finally allowed him to resume playing. His first two albums were explorations of all the various types of music that influenced his career, classical, folk, rock and jazz; now, with the release of his third album, “Still the River Flows,” Dave has settled into a musical style that is uniquely his own.The fourteen pieces on this album move through what the composer describes as “a life compressed into one day,” slowly building in energy until noontime, then gradually winding down to a quiet evening. The opener, “Morning Song,” is exuberant, and put me in mind of that satisfying full-body stretch when I first climb out of bed at the beginning of a new day and that feeling of hopefulness and optimism that accompanies it. “Summer Dance” is lively and syncopated, rather jazzy with a devil-may-care attitude. “Still the River Flows” is a change of pace, as it gently wanders, serene and calming. “Just a Simple Song” is rather melancholy yet one of my favorite pieces on the album - its beautiful melody could easily accommodate lyrics – and is followed by another favorite, the plaintive and soul-stirring “For a Long, Long Time.” “Nineteen in 69” is a poignant reflection on times past, with elements of both joy and regret; “On a Cloudy Day” is quiet and restful, almost a meditation. The mood shifts abruptly in “Take Me With You,” sparkling with anticipation and exhilaration and another favorite. The day begins to wind down with “Evening Song ,” a needed respite on the heels of the previous frenzy as  the shadows of twilight begin to fall. “Wistfully” is delicate and dreamy, as if lost in thought;in the evocative “I Remember That,” a musical motive is stated and restated like flashbacks of memory. “Wherever You Are “ is a love song, both nostalgic and yearning; “Walking by the Shore” put me in mind of a quiet stroll with a loved one, sharing the events of the day; its gentle melody laps like gentle waves on the shore. “Won’t You Stay” brings the album to a heartfelt close. Like a day so perfect I can hardly wait for the new dawn to arrive, this album makes me look forward to the composer’s future releases. With “Still the River Flows, David Edwards has truly hit his stride. Highly recommended!” - Pam Asbury

“When listening to music, it is easy to sense if the artist has a story to tell. Inspired music always has a message and a positive energy that makes you pay attention. It is music with a purpose. One such album is “Still the River Flows” by David M. Edwards. It is a collection of 14 marvelous pieces, describing nature, people, and time gone by. They will leave you feeling happy, relaxed – and most importantly – many good stories have been told. It is a heartfelt, wise and highly memorable album.David M. Edwards studied classical and jazz piano at the University of North Texas, and afterward played in rock groups, country dance bands and lounge acts. He has done a considerable amount of recording work, including commercials, film scores, and song demos, as well as a stint with a band that was signed to Capitol Records. “Still the River Flows” is his first solo piano album, but you’ll notice right away that this is a very mature debut album done with huge professionalism and attention to detail.Morning SongIt is a brand new day when the album starts. “Morning Song” has a fresh and positive atmosphere. It makes you feel that anything is possible, the world is your oyster. I love how visual Edwards’ music is. The morning comes to life before our inner eye, and waking up suddenly seems a lot less stressful. It is a feeling that will last the whole day. In short; “Morning Song” is a great album opener!The morning is long gone when “Summer Dance” comes on. The song makes you want to move. It has a delightful atmosphere and a nice rhythm. There’s a seriousness here too. No summer dance is without the knowledge that Autumn is coming – but for the time being the world is new and filled with love, youth, and endless possibilities. It is a marvelous piece!Still the River FlowsYou know the feeling when walking in nature and suddenly, and perhaps unexpectedly, coming across a spectacular panorama? I got that feeling when listening to “Still the River Flows” for the first time. Edwards makes the river come to life; The melody has a beautiful flow. It has the feel of classical masters such as Debussy or Satie, masterfully portraying the river’s silent and majestic powers.“Just a Simple Song” is like a bridge between the first nature-inspired songs and the two next, which deal with time gone by and memories. It is simple, yes, but it has a nice touch of melancholy that makes it interesting. In all its simplicity are elegance and grace.For a Long, Long TimeAt this stage the album shifts gear. “For a Long, Long Time” takes us down memory lane. The past and present seem to become one. You can sense that Edwards has many stories on his mind, and this somehow connects us as listeners with people and places we used to know. The irony is that time seems to fly while listening to “For a Long, Long Time”. Five and a half minute is gone in an instant, and you find yourself looking for the replay button.“Nineteen in 69” is a piece filled with hope. The world is new and there’s not a cloud in the sky. The song lets us relive moments in our life when there were zero worries, and the future held nothing but adventure and possibilities. I was nineteen in 99, and can relate to every note Edwards play.On a Cloudy Day“Still the River Flows” is a well-balanced album. “On a Cloudy Day” is a thoughtful piece, making us reflect on the state of the world – or small things right in front of us. The atmosphere is not to last, though. “Take Me with You” is a fast and upbeat song. It has the eagerness of a younger sibling, asking Please! Please! Take me with you! From the atmosphere, I can tell that the answer is yes.My favorite song on the album is “Evening Song.” With a few well-placed chords, Edwards turns the day into night. I love its warm and welcoming sound. It is at the end of the day you know what really matters. “Wistfully” changes the mood, showing that this is much more than romantic, easy listening music. It has depths and darker colors too.Near the end, Edwards has three soul-stirring melodies for us; “I Remember That,” “Wherever You Are” and “Walking by the Shore.” It is impossible not to be touched by the way Edwards transforms everyday moments into something elevated and noble. Each day and each moment is a precious gift. “Won’t You Stay” is the album’s masterful finale, making us think twice about looking for a new solo piano album anytime soon.In conclusion: “Still the River Flows” by David M. Edwards is a near perfect solo piano release. Each song is like a short story, capturing the essence of a beautiful view, conversation, or memory. Inspired is the word that comes to mind. Much like a gently flowing river, the album’s powers are right there under the surface.Score: 94/100 – Click here to see my scoring policyFor more information and music samples, visit Edwards’ homepage (many artists have the same name, so make sure to bookmark)” - BT Fasmer

“Presenting Still the River Flows by David M. EdwardsStill the River Flows is the third album and first solo piano release by composer David M. Edwards. Comprised of fourteen compositions totaling just over an hour, Still the River Flows exudes both a cheerful optimism and tender reflection, as Edwards seemingly muses upon personal life experiences in parallel with nature’s vistas, and cycles of day and night. Naturally, his compositions subtly shift from softly serene passages like “On A Cloudy Day” and “Evening Song”, to more brightly brisk tunes such as “Summer Dance” and “Take Me with You”. Overall elegantly simple and straight from the heart (a concept that is perhaps best-captured on the piece “Just a Simple Song”) Still the River Flows is an especially appropriate album to put on in the morning to gently elevate the soul and illuminate the start of a new day! ~Candice Michelle” - Candice Michelle

“With the release of Still the River Flows, David M. Edwards’ majestic and expansive, multi-faceted debut album as a solo pianist, the veteran musician and composer opens a fresh door in his long, eclectic career – finding a beautiful and organic new musical flow after two impressive piano based ensemble recordings under the name Dave Edwards. Looking back, it’s as if his well-received collections Elusive Dreams (2011) and The Illusion of Time (2014) were powerful stepping stones towards the present moment, when the truest expression of his artistic identity can emerge unadorned.Anyone who knows the Little Rock native’s biography could look at the new 14-track, 65-minute collection as the culmination of a fascinating lifetime of creative endeavors. Yet the reality is, Still the River Flows’ intimate and heartfelt, sometimes jubiliant, oft times introspective and even haunting compositions lay a meaningful and magical foundation for the launch of a whole new career.Edwards’ journey to the gentle grace of new age piano has taken him through periods of jazz, rock n roll, and country, the turn towards today happening after a performance with the Dallas Symphony, when he met pianist Leon Fleischer. If you only peruse his life story up till then, you might think the most unique aspect to his evolution is how a guy whose popular 80’s-90’s country band Stallion opened for Garth Brooks and Chuck Berry could shift so powerfully.Yet Edwards’ more inspirational story starts with him developing problems with the joints and tendons in his hands around the same time a promising opportunity for Stallion with Capitol Records broke down. He thought his piano playing days were over, but when Fleischer told him about his own battle with hand problems, Edwards was motivated to attempt a return to the keys. His journey back involved special exercises, massage and technique adjustments, and he began playing private events as a solo pianist in 2004.While his first two albums (as Dave Edwards) found him exploring a multitude of musical influences – including compositions he had gathered from every aspect of his musical career – Still the River Flows feels more intimate, soulful and quietly visionary. He takes us on an almost mystical melodic journey exploring many moods and aspects of a single day, starting with the lively, joyful “Morning Song” (as intended, a thoughtful piece of musical sunshine to begin the day) and the radiant, quick fingered energy of “Summer Dance.”Late morning (if we’re watching the ticking musical clock) finds Edwards in a more thoughtful, meditative state on “Still the River Flows,” “Just a Simple Song” and “For A Long, Long Time.” Those titles will help listeners find their own peace amidst a hectic day, contemplating the big picture of life while getting in touch with the inner sacred spaces. The pianist then offers an early afternoon pick me up with the free-flowing seemingly autobiographical nostalgic look at being “Nineteen in 69.” As the day progresses, Edwards alternates dynamically between moody, nostalgic watercolors (the melancholy tinged “On a Cloudy Day,” the tender wind-down of “Evening Song” and the eloquent lament “Wistfully”) and spritely, romantically inclined pick me ups like “Take Me with You” and “I Remember That.” He closes with pieces that also embrace this kind of mood swinging coolness, following the bittersweet, image rich “Walking by The Shore” with “Won’t You Stay,” a thoughtful, reflective ballad lifted throughout by sparkling, optimistic high notes. Here’s hoping the pianist will answer the question of that title affirmatively and gift us with many more albums like Still the River Flows in the future.” - Jonathan Widran

“Straight from the heart solo piano David M. Edwards – STILL THE RIVER FLOWS: There is what I would term a most stridently pleasant style of playing on this new straight from the heart solo piano album by David M. Edwards… I believe his talent and skill comes from years and years of playing in various styles of music.. all the way from jazz to rock n’ roll, country western, he plays with an exuberance of spirit not often found on albums that are in the New Age category… although I didn’t see any LIVE videos of his performances on the new release, he does have a YouTube Topic channel dedicated to his music, and all the songs from this album are there… I recommend you SUBSCRIBE to his channel… (for the next release, it would be very nice to have a video of a live performance… hint! hint!).  One of the tunes that really stood out for me is the lively “Summer Dance“… I especially loved his left-hand work on this 5:34 song… it’s full of power, to be sure.The mellow tones & chords David uses on “Wistfully” will give you the feelings of sadness that the title conveys, but as the 3:32 piece moves along, hope is definitely restored… this is truly one of the most expressive solo piano pieces I’ve heard (yet) in 2019… I expect it will be getting MAJOR airplay ’round the globe.The opener, “Morning Song“, will wake your ears completely with David’s joyful sounds… it’s very much like he’s talking right to you through his keyboard as his day (and yours, perhaps) begins… this is a song that will be getting replayed often on my player.You get just over an hour’s worth of exhilarating music on this fourteen-song opus (1:05, to be exact), and I’ve no doubt you find your own treasure here… my own personal favorite is the 5:20 “Nineteen in 69“… I have every confidence that this tune will be nominated for (and WIN) awards… it truly conveys hope in a very personal way.I give David a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99 for this very enjoyable (and diverse) album.  Get more information about this versatile artist on his David M. Edwards website.        Rotcod Zzaj” - Dick Metcalf