Forget-Me-Not, Blue is the follow-up to Evan Wish’s 2005 debut Lullaby of Love. Featuring solo piano, piano and live strings, and spoken word plus percussion (on one track), Wish proves himself to be a very expressive and evocative pianist and composer. Wish explains: “While I was composing this album it became a message that I wanted to send to the world. I have witnessed families of all races lose loved ones in war and the neglect of morals on a daily basis. I experienced my own heartbreak, love, hope... and my times of contemplation; I used it all as my source of inspiration.” Although the overall theme of the album is often somber, the music is far from joyless. Powerful emotions are expressed with eloquence and grace as Wish opens his heart at the piano.

The album begins with “Tara,” a piece Wish composed for his daughter after receiving an email from her one evening. A string trio and the piano create a dialog between a father and daughter and bring to life the poignant drama that inspired the piece - a lovely opening! “What Will Man’s Legacy Be?” is quite different from the other tracks. After a beautiful instrumental prelude, a Native American chant begins behind spoken words by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Gautama Buddha, and Mother Theresa. In addition to the chanting, a woman is singing the words “God and Amen” in Hebrew and Arabic. There is also a snare drum (for a military feel), a Persian hand drum, and a large African drum. There is so much going on in that section of the piece that it is almost impossible to hear what the spoken words are. Fortunately, those words are included in the liner notes. “When Do Miracles Happen?” is a gorgeous piano solo that was the result of a particularly difficult time in Wish’s life. I also really like the deeply emotional and very personal “Quietly I Say, All Things Happen.” “I Love You, Or Something Like That” is happier, tinged with a beautifully bittersweet interaction between the piano and string trio. “Angels Are Near” is a soothing piano solo made up of five different sections. The music reassures that angels will come to comfort those who call out to them. “Three Times to the Right, You Will Find What You Are Looking For” is a metaphor for starting a journey and taking three right turns, which will eventually bring you back to where you started. The interaction between the piano and strings is hopeful and optimistic. My favorite piece is the closing track, which is also the title track. Nostalgic yet very romantic, the strings enhance the drama and poignance of the music and end the album with a sigh.

Forget-Me-Not, Blue is a beautiful and stirring musical experience, so check it out at evanwish.com, Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes!