Faithful & Imaginative: Magical, Haunting, Powerful
5
By Ron Kagan
If a magician were to transmogrify Thom Yorke into a piano, Christopher O'Riley would be the wizard to do it. He is successful in celebrating the vigor and power that drives "Everything In Its Right Place," while rendering the haunting, heart-breaking modulation of "Let Down" anew. Each track, O'Riley seems to pull a new rabbit out of the hat; each song begins and I'm like, "there's no way he's going to be able to do justice to what I love about THIS Radiohead song" and then he DOES more than that: he creates new ways for me to enjoy the old tunes! There is nothing trite or gimmicky about what O'Riley accomplishes here. He eloquently shares his deep love of each of these goodies. My enjoyment of the originals is re-doubled by listening to these fresh, new, delicious, passionate creations. Treat yourself to the magic contained herein.
Stunning...
5
By starsailor73
...simply stunning - as is his other Radiohead "tribute." "Fake Plastic Trees" as played here is worthy of the price of admission alone; absolutely majestic in its beauty and simplicity.
The Most Beautiful Piano Recording of Piano Music
5
By AnnaNetrebko
Forget Debussy's "Claire de Lune" or any of Mozart's sonata's. Blackstar and True love waits are the best. Might be used in the new movie Twilight as Edwards Lullaby.
In response to The Tucker....
4
By jonnyblair
How many "instruments" are in a beethoven or Mahler symphony? Alot more than in radiohead. Yet, those are easily clear and pronounced on a piano, and with more complexity than radioheads music. That "mushiness" comes from keeping his foot on the pedal.
And Im unsure if we should call these transcriptions "classical" piano. Compared to what? They sound like lounge/hotel/nordstroms interpretations to me.
Amazing music
5
By kempshawn
This is an amazing album. I liked Radiohead before, but Christopher O'Riley has brought their music to an entirely new level. I can listen to this music during any activity: doing work, lounging at home, or going for a run or bike ride. This definitely earns five stars!
Exposes the quality of the original material
5
By jsnell
I like Radiohead, but Christopher O'Riley has made me wonder if I like their songwriting more than I like their performances. Because after listening to "True Love Waits," I have the sneaking suspicion that O'Riley has actually made some of these songs better than their Radiohead originals. By transforming the Radiohead pieces from rock to classical piano, O'Riley strips off the rock trappings while exposing the beautiful heart of these songs. I love the version of "Black Star" on Radiohead's "The Bends," but O'Riley's version is the one that sends chills down my spine. More than a cover album, this is a transformation, and one that classical piano fans and Radiohead fans alike should enjoy.
A great transcription, but at times frenzied
4
By The Tucker
In his attempt to transcribe Radiohead, Christopher O'Riley certainly does stay true to the songs. In this attempt, oftentimes he must condense several instruments (and vocals) into a single piano, a daunting task for anyone. Therefore, sometimes the music comes out as a mishmash of sound, utterly incomprehensible. However, this is the by-product of someone who stays absolutely true to the original score, and it is an excellent recording and easy to enjoy and appreciate.
itunes is wrong
4
By zakatak2
this album is sick buy it, enough said.
