Love & Loss is the fourth solo piano album from Earl Johnson, a piano teacher, composer, arranger and solo pianist from Southern California. I have reviewed all of Earl's albums and sheet music books, and I think Love & Loss is his best work so far. Quoting Earl Johnson:

"My deeply romantic album, Love & Loss takes inspiration from various events that have happened in my life, and the lives of those dear to me. Throughout my time, I have experienced love, death, heartbreak, sadness, anxiety, peace, joy, and essentially every emotion imaginable. Love & Loss faithfully expresses these fascinating emotional themes we all endure in our journey through life."

The fifteen original piano solos on the album do, indeed, cover a vast array of emotions and experiences, but overall, most of the music is on the lighter, happier side. Each piece tells a story, so there is a very pleasant variety in the music, but there is also consistent easy flow from track to track. Several of the pieces have strong classical influences while other are very contemporary. It's a fascinating album and one that I will enjoy long after this review is written. There is also a companion sheet music book with all fifteen pieces which I also reviewed.

Love & Loss begins with "Tender Touch," a very slow, open piece that describes the blissful feeling of being gently touched or massaged. This piece has a similar effect on my mind! Ahhhhh! "Cupid's Canoe" is a graceful waltz that floats peacefully on air - my favorite piece on the album! "The Royal Dances" is a lively waltz that brings visions of flowing gowns and handsome princes in motion on an expansive dance floor. "At First Sight" has more of a slow jazz ballad feeling and expresses the undefinable feeling when there is an immediate connection with someone. "Ava Rose" was inspired by Earl's baby niece and the deep, peaceful sleep of an innocent newborn. I think we could all use a bit more of that, and this sweet lullaby just might help us get there! "Fiona's Theme" tells the love story of a young girl and her horse - very gentle yet determined, passionate and very beautiful! "Aftermath" is the only really dark piece on the album and describes the feelings of when someone close to you dies - very steady and mournful. "Ice Skates" follows and is the polar opposite - very light-hearted and joyous. "Hymn of Kindness" is an encouragement to do at least one simple act of kindness every day "in pursuit of a brighter future for our world" - very timely, indeed! "Paramour's Carousel" is another favorite and is a story told in four parts that flow together as one. Sometimes very light and carefree and sometimes much darker, it explores the emotions that can arise from an illicit affair affecting three or four people. "Never Say Goodbye" is very simple yet deeply heartfelt. "Bittersweet" beautifully sums up the theme of the album that our lives are made up of a mix of emotions and experiences - sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet and sometimes a combination of the two.

Love & Loss is excellent from the first note to the last! It can be downloaded on Earl's website and is available to stream or download on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as from many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Highly recommended!