Anne Trenning’s new album may be titled Waiting for Rain as a metaphor for anticipation, but the album lacks the edginess that is implied with anticipation. The music feels, and makes the listener feel, in the moment. There is a calmness that might lead one to wonder if Trenning has some strange machine that allows her to convert warm milk and hugs into musical notes.
Trenning’s piano and strings and a classical style creates music that drifts along peacefully, as though born along by a gentle breeze. “Silent Night II” exemplifies this and the religious overtones of the album. The following song, “Eden Hall,” opens and closes with bars from the Shaker song “Simple Gifts” but in between is a playful Celtic-style song. Waiting for Rain also includes a short but powerful piano solo version of “I Want to Be Ready,” an old spiritual.
What adds to the enjoyment of listening to Waiting for Rain is the variety of sources she pulls from. Not just in styles, but the material itself. In addition to the songs mentioned above, the album also features versions of the popular country song “When You Say Nothing at All” and “I Shall Be Released” (though it is listed as “Benediction”). Unfortunately Trenning teases and the version of the latter is only a snippet to close out the album. On previous albums she has covered Led Zeppelin. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her turn an N.W.A. song into an impressive piano piece for her follow up album.
Though Waiting for Rain is a mix of originals and cover songs, Trenning has made each song her own. Her arrangements for strings and piano are delightful and wonderful and any other adjective a person could use to describe music that lingers in the ears and heart long after it has left the air.
Dennis Mersman-MuzikReviews.com StaffJuly 2, 2009
