Hers To Me 2

New Devotional and Meditative Renditions of Western Piano Classics

Made by Naamleela Free Jones as a gift for Adi Da Samraj and recorded in honor of the 10th anniversary of her first CD, Hers To Me. Again, for this second album, she chose many of her favorite pieces that she has played for Adi Da Samraj over the years.

Of note on this CD is a live recording of a concert where Adi Da Samraj was present. In the background of the whole album, you can hear the natural environment of Naitauba Island, Fiji, where this album was recorded.

Review:

"Naamleela Free Jones has developed her characteristics as a musician in a pristine environment, and that quality is evident in her style of performance. As a pianist, what is most striking is her complete bodily relaxation, the entire lack of egoic “flourish”, the minimal movement of her hands and body, a straightforward simplicity in how she combines with the instrument. Having taught her in her early years of keyboard studies, and heard her first recital of the complete Goldberg variations when she was in her mid teens, I have always been astonished by how she has never been a slave to technical exercises, and yet always masters enough technique to allow the music to speak freely. Frequently when one attends a concert, one feels, and admires, the years and years of intensive practice that lies behind a virtuoso performance. In the case of Naamleela, I often feel that she has simply sat down and effortlessly invoked the music down from some subtle realm into the medium of the piano. Her intuitive judgement and natural musicianship are of a rare order."

—Carolyn Lee, PhD (musicology)