Michael Dulin began making music at the young age of two. His work with the piano has brought him awards and honors and he completed his musical education at Julliard. He has worked with musical greats Adele Marcus, toured as the keyboardist for The Temptations and he has gone international with his music reaching the number one spot on the NAR World Airplay Charts. Listening to These Are The Moments, it is easy to see why. The compositions are flawless and the depth of emotion that constitutes each piece breathes life into every track on the album.
From the first moment “Once Upon A Time” began to play, I was transfixed. The story Dulin tells with each touch of finger to piano key is a journey into the inner workings of the mind and heart. A light shining through curtains in an empty room that once held love and laughter is remembered. Each note brings back a singular moment in time, like a memory chest filled with forgotten moments given life again with these beautiful notes of music.
“Wedding Day” is bright with floral essences shining out like hope on a summer’s morning. Sunshine sparkles down on dew kissed flowers that greet the day with grace and the power of all that brings light to our soul. The heart knows joy with each note that Dulin carves from the piano keys in this lovely piece of musical imagery. This piece is a dance with your father on your wedding day, trying not to trip on the train of your gown or laughter as you make your way to cut the cake, only to discover your father has eaten all the crab dip, as he looks at you with a grin on his face that tries to hide the evidence. It is the frightening moment of walking down the aisle and seeing your love at the end of the journey and knowing that all the sweaty palms and crazy family drama was worth every second. And with every note, it is the joy you feel when you say “I Do” and the walk outside the church, hand in hand with the one you call husband or wife, to love and to cherish and to be your partner in the never ending challenge and joy that is life.
“Winter Dreams” is the last song on the album and as the notes flutter in on delicate snowy little twinkles, the amazing voice of Jeania Major weaves a spell of wintery romance. A fairytale of imagery and operatic purity of sound, this piece could easily be my favorite on the album. Completely different than any other song in this collection, it engages you with the passion and unity of sound that is on a completely different level than the previous tracks. The keyboard is blended with guitar and the elegant beauty of Major’s voice. Visions of wintery wonderlands and fairy tales drift on webs of mystery and longing. This piece will have you coming back to it again and again.
Michael Dulin is a composer, session musician and producer. His work can be found on radio, television, theater and film. These Are The Moments is his tenth album and one that captures the true range of what this amazing artist is capable of. The fresh sunburst of “Wedding Day” and the thought provoking “Once Upon A Time” are stunning examples of his piano composition and execution. The theatrical nature of “Winter Dreams” was a particular favorite. Every song on the album held my interest and I found myself hitting the replay button repeatedly to unwind after a busy day at work. If you enjoy instrumental piano music, you owe it to yourself to give this album a try.
Key Tracks-Once Upon A Time, Wedding Day, Winter Dreams
September 2, 2012
