We Gather Together - Bradley Sowash
From the recording, We Gather Together by Bradley Sowash. Audio and sheet music are available at www.BradleySowash.com
Reviews:
Solo Piano Publications
Bradley Sowash is quite simply one of the best pianists on the contemporary scene. It is impossible to pigeon-hole him into one category, as his style continues to evolve and grow, making each of his recordings a unique experience. I give "We Gather Together" both thumbs up and am including it in my "Best of 2001″ list. Very highly recommended! - Kathy Parsons
Sojourners Magazine
Unsettling times call for soothing music. Jazz pianist Bradley Sowash's We Gather Together plays—in a much different groove—Blue notes, alternative harmonies, and new improvisations make for powerful reinterpretations of familiar songs.- Molly Marsh
CBA MarketplaceLet's make this short and sweet: People who like jazz piano and enjoy classic hymns and spirituals will absolutely love this all-instrumental CD. It's no small accomplishment that Sowash finds a way to breathe new life into such familiar tunes—but through inspiration and improvisation, he does. Sometimes soothing, sometimes invigorating, We Gather Together is a unique, adventurous and uplifting CD. -- Steve Parolini
Jazzreview.com
When a jazz pianist as good as Bradley Sowash puts his imaginative touch to these songs, it is a genuine sharing experience with the audience, and one to be remembered. His playing is flawless, and his piano techniques are varied and creative. -- Lee Prosser
Christian LivingI must admit that "solo piano" conjures up "Lorie Line plays Andrew Lloyd Weber' images. Thankfully, this album is more tasteful. Hymn selection didn't hurt: with this cache of classic it would be hard to go wrong "Amazing Grace, " "Jesus Loves me," etc.) Sowash's arrangements are creative and sometimes downright funky, but always manageable. He strays off the beaten path for a chorus or verse, but soon returns to a recognizable melody. "Wade in the Water" works particularly well, with its ambivalence for whether it belongs in a seedy bar or church sanctuary. The spiritual "Deep River" also deserves mention for its virtuostic arrangement that gives a whole new shine to this standard. Bottomline: Your favorite hymn gets its groove on. -- Sarah Kehrbergove
NAPRA Review
Remember how Schroeder used to bounce up and down while playing his little 8-key for Lucy in the Peanuts comics? Well, in this unsettlingly beautiful collection of revamped hymns and spirituals, Sowash gives the same sort of impression -- that he just loves what he's doing. The highs and lows make themselves known quite subtly with rhythm and key changes that breathe new life into songs everybody knows. Sowash does his own arranging, and the recording is nothing short of pure pleasure. -- Holly Nichols