I’ve been surprised in the past year or two by how many artists have been recording on pianos that are in far less than perfect shape. It’s quite a different listening experience to go from say, a magnificent and impeccably maintained concert grand to a more “humble” upright with its inherent creaks and other internal sounds. Even more interesting is the the difference in how music can be expressed on the less sophisticated “old timers” that many of us learned to play the piano on. There is something very honest and sincere about these old workhorse pianos, and that seems to come across very clearly in the music. Canadian pianist/composer Jesse Brown has chosen to perform the three pieces on his EP titled Trilogy on just such a piano, and it really works. Trilogy was recorded in a small room with hardwood floors and consists of three original pieces that were composed and recorded in one morning. The music is relatively uncomplicated, but a depth of feeling is communicated as is a muted, almost intimate, atmosphere.

“First Love” is very sweet and tenderly played, reflecting perhaps a bit of shyness as well as the magic of the first stirrings of love. “Patience” is very soft-spoken and easy-going with a gently-flowing rhythm and simple melody. The third piece is “Before Sunrise,” a more ambient and free-form piece that suggests the profound quiet and stillness that comes before the sun greets a new day.

If you are familiar with Jesse Brown’s two previous albums, Heartwork and December, Trilogy could come as a bit of a surprise, but it’s a very pleasant surprise and demonstrates a different side of Brown’s musical personae. The EP is available for download from www.JesseBrown.net, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby. Check it out!