Monday, April 7, 2014

Classic: The Rock Album (CD) by Jenny Oaks Baker

Grammy-nominated concert violinist Jenny Oaks Baker takes her style to an all-new level with her new release, Classic: The Rock Album.  Featuring classic rock favorites like Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin), Sweet Child of Mine (Guns and Roses) and Hey Jude (The Beatles), you won’t believe your ears as one of the country’s most accomplished and acclaimed violinists combines her insane talent with the hear-pumping tunes that have defined a genre for generations. 

Track List:
Liverpool Suite
Everybody Hurts
Kashmir/Four Seasons
You Are So Beautiful
Scarborough Fair
Stairway to Heaven
Fields of Gold
Pinball Wizard
Sweet Child of Mine
Yesterday

My Review:
I used to play the violin when I was younger and I can definitely say that it's not as easy as it looks. I sounded like a dying cat the first few years that I played. It takes a lot of time, dedication, practice, effort, and some talent to play and I can only imagine how much of all this combined effort Jenny Oaks Baker put into it to be able to play the way she does. She is absolutely amazing and incredible! It always makes my heart soar to hear someone so talented. 

I was trying to think about what I loved most about this album and I've decided that it's taking familiar Classic Rock songs and putting a spin on them so that they feel uplifting and peaceful. Each song is taken and twisted to make it her own. The effect is beautiful. I think every song has at least one part where the violin is reaching notes in the rafters.

My favorite song was Stairway to Heaven. I loved the way it starts out with just the violin and then adds a cello, eventually adding an orchestra. It took my breath away. Every song had something unique about it and they were all great. I've already listened to it a couple of times and plan on playing it a lot more.

**I received a copy in exchange for an honest review**



About the Artist: 
Grammy Nominated Artist Jenny Oaks Baker is one of America’s most accomplished violinists. She received her Master of Music degree from the renowned Julliard School in New York City and her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.


She has released eleven albums since 1998. They consistently chart on Billboard, including the #1 spot on the Top Classical Albums chart. Her album Wish Upon a Star earned a nomination for the 54th GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Album.


Jenny Oaks Baker has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and with the Jerusalem Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Utah Symphony, and the internationally acclaimed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Jenny performed as a first violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra for seven years before resigning to devote more time to her young family. Jenny and her husband Matthew have four children.

1 comment:

  1. Great review! And kudos for sticking to the violin. I took for two years until I begged to be able to stop, haha! My fingers hurt the entire time. I have lots of respect for anyone that can play this beautiful, but hard, instrument!

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