Acceptance is one of two solo piano albums released by pianist/composer John Paris in June 2023. The two albums are quite different from each other and both are outstanding in different ways and for different reasons. Acceptance was created over a two-year period with the intention of being soothing and uplifting. I reviewed Bhakti Grace about a week ago, and that album is about expressing total joy and freedom, and was composed and recorded in two weeks. Coming from two different approaches, both albums overflow with heart and deep emotion. Quoting the liner notes for Acceptance: "Acceptance, to me, is coming to a place of serenity no matter what is happening. The music in this album is written to bring a deeper level of acceptance and a profound look within our very being. It is written from a place of love which has been burnished to a finer degree by the pain of loss and loved ones to covid and my wife's advancing dementia. There are no technical fireworks here. Rather a focus on healing melodies, harmonies and rhythms. I hope that the music brings comfort to your heart." That quote says a lot about the kind of person John Paris is, and that kindness and caring comes through his music beautifully.

Acceptance begins with "When Day Is Done," a piece that expresses peace and serenity. Slow and open with occasional jazzy touches for contrast, it's a beautiful start! "Ride the Wave" is much more energetic, but is also soothing with a rhythmic ebb and flow - a favorite! "The River Is Wide" is the only cover tune on the album, and fits in so well. Dreamy and wistful, it's one of my favorite arrangements of this iconic tune. At almost 7 1/2 minutes, "Full Moon Rhapsody" is the longest track of the thirteen on the album, and it is absolutely hypnotic. Very free and spontaneous, I assume that much of this beautiful piece was improvised - another favorite! Again quoting John: "'In Memoriam' was written when my daughter texted me that they were going to have a releasing of Japanese lanterns for my brother who had passed away a couple of years before. The whole piece spontaneously popped into my head and I recorded it it immediately." Both reflective and buoyant, it's a meaningful celebration of a life well lived! "Swan Flight" is so spare and yet is so expressive and full of grace. If I had to choose just one favorite track from the album, I think it would be this one. Or maybe it would be the darkly mysterious "Through the Veil" - I can't decide, but that's a good thing, right? Another quote from John: "I lost a few friends during covid. 'Goodbye Old Friend' was for Bobby VanRooy, a dear friend and excellent singer, sax player and performer in my road band Atlantis. He was with me for years...." Losing old friends is the hardest as it always feels like a part of us goes with them. Reflective and full of love, it's a wonderful tribute overflowing with good memories. Acceptance closes with the title track, a piece that expresses encouragement, compassion and the strength to accept what is - especially those things we cannot change.

Acceptance is one of John Paris' best albums so far and is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes and various streaming sites including Spotify. Very highly recommended!