This title: River, The Joni letters, along with the earlier release of Possibilities prove a couple of theories. Namely, there is no substitute for real musical training when it comes to application of an art form. Both these CD's are the perfect blend of what happens when musicians trained in art music are able to interface with popular song composers and popular vocalist. The result elevates these performances to a level not before achieved. If you don't beleive me, ask Christina Aguilera, Joss Stone or Paul Simon or Stevie. Ask Leon Russel if you like. This recording was super, deserved the Grammy by far and will be considered a classic for many years to come. What would you prefer--"Chopping Broccoli"?

I'm going to be brief in my review of this Novel. I think it's terrific. In fact, I'll go a step further and say it is the best fiction work I've read in a long time. Not since reading Shogun, have I enjoyed a style of writing more. Anchee Min seems to be able to combine the terse style of Hemingway with the ethereal style of E. L. Doctorow in Ragtime--to create an entire universe that allows the reader to gently plunge in. I can't find a thing wrong with this book. True it switches persons in an unusual way, but I remain unfettered in opinion by virtue of that technique. The words fall off the page with imagery and Min's prose feels like poetry. All the critical reviews placed inside the cover are correct. Possibly we live in an age of negative aesthetics--due to lower educational standards and TV. But I promise you, this book is aesthetic and educational. What a perspective--getting inside the head of Madame Mao Jiang Ching--the White Boned Demon of China. It's incredibly historical and filled with facts about one the most repressive regimes in modern history. And yet, it is pleasing to the sensibilities and true to the simplicity of the East. I applaud Anchee Min for her most excellent achievement.

The liner notes of the CD, by Bryce Morrison, speak for themselves. I wouldn't disagree about one comma. The technical explanation, for those who understand the musical terms are without fault. As a performance, it is expression with complete regard for the Composer's intention--a quality of only the best performers. Ashkenazy in his prime performing what may be the last great Epoch in the evolutionary chain of Piano Concertos. Don't get me wrong, I love Ravel and Bartok and Stravinski--but we're talking about a true musical Epoch here. Let's face it, there are not that many piano concertos that have withstood the test of time. A few by Mozart, a few by Beethoven, the Schumann, the Grieg, a couple by Chopin and Tchaikovsky. I'm sure I've left out a few--but still how many more are that memorable and haunting. Rachmoninov was a rare being whose compositional virtuosity at the hands of a piano were unequaled--balancing complexities with melodic and harmonic content. Rachmoninov in these two Concertos, inherited the true virtuosity of Beethoven--and aren't we lucky to have Ashkenazy to interpret these masterpieces.