Dreams and False Alarms — Andy Milne

This is a review I wrote for SA-CD.net and published there on the 8th of March 2008. SA-CD.net has since become hraudio.net and the old review pages went with it, so this is reproduced from the Internet Archive’s capture. It ran as a site review, and carries a joint copyright line with SA-CD.net.

The review is reproduced as it stood. Only the site’s own furniture around it — the star graphics, the “was this review helpful?” footer — has been dropped, and the ratings it carried are restated as numbers below.

Songlines · SGL SA1565-2 · hybrid disc · stereo and multichannel

Performance 3/5 · Sonics stereo 4/5, multichannel 4/5

Be warned if your expectations are that this is a set of solo piano renditions of various popular songs (from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Sting, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Bob Dylan).

Well, it is, and it isn’t. The arrangements/improvisations are not straightforward, and even if you think you are familiar with the songs, it may take a while for you to recognise it. Eventually you will, but Andy Milne has a habit of starting each song with a preamble that may cause you to scratch your head.

Most of the arrangements sound somewhat whimsical, with a decidedly melancholy air about them. Great for listening on a rainy day. Despite the creative preambles, most of the improvisations do not stray very far, so don’t expect long Keith Jarrett-esque meanderings.

My favourite track is Track 6 (The Times They Are A-Changin’ - a Bob Dylan song) which features the rather dramatic use of a Tibetan bell about halfway through the piece (presumably to signify the changing times!).

The 5.0 mix focuses most of the sonics on the front left and right channels, with the other three speakers mainly enhancing the ambience and depth of the mix. The piano tone is rich and vibrant without becoming overbearing.

All in all a worthwhile listen if you are adventurous, but you may want to audition this prior to purchase just in case you don’t like the arrangements.