Tag: swim

Swim To America, Vol. 3 (une rétrospective Stephan Eicher au piano)

For those who enjoy the music of Doug Hammer and solo piano they will be in for a real treat with the final album in the Swim To America collection Doug Hammer has been creating over the past two years.

Pop rocker and huge star on the European music scene Stephan Eicher was approached by long-time fan Doug Hammer who could see the rich beauty of the many songs of Eicher’s, should they be transposed for solo piano.

Eicher eventually gave his approval and has been more than suitably impressed with the final results of the transposition to solo piano, which has reached culmination in volume three.

The thirteen songs that make up the final collection, as in the previous volumes, range from the robust, to reflective, gentle and almost quirky as created in the catchy little number Nur Um Di, a song which is full of fun.

A precise and intimately beautiful song Donne moi une seconde ‘Just give me a second, just one second’ is reflective and touching. When followed by the simply beautiful Ds alte paar, a delicate waltz like song, a singular moment in time has been created when all is still, peaceful, relaxing which showcases the immense skill of Hammer as he moves from the powerful style he is noted for, to something far richer and subtle.

Oh Ironie completes the series with a gentle and once again reflective piece, that contains powerful chords mixed in with the softer aspects bringing to a robust, cheerful and celebratory conclusion a work of love and dedication from Doug Hammer – solo pianist.

Swim To America, (une rétrospective Stephan Eicher au piano) volumes 1, 2 and 3 are all available now on your favourite streaming platform and definitely well worth the listening experience of Swimming to America.

May 14, 2024
Swim to America, Vol. 2 (une rétrospective Stephan Eicher au piano)

Swiss Rocker and Pop Chanteur, Stephan Eicher captured the heart and imagination of pianist Doug Hammer some years ago. He eventually discussed with Eicher the possibly of a collaboration; Eicher’s music converted to piano with the end result being several volumes of music titled Swim To America.

Volume two continues the journey over the water to America, as the music travels, floats, splashes and occasionally basks in the warmth of a still and peaceful moment in time. As Eicher is a well-known Rocker throughout Europe, Hammers very robust style on the piano makes this an excellent combination of compositions to transpose.

From the soft, gentle, melodic pieces to the tough, dynamic shifts this is a work that showcases the diversity of sound that can be achieved on a piano. The emotion captured with a strength of purpose is intriguing and as each song unfolds the desire to listen closer, to hear every note played increases.

Vibrant, fun, pure enjoyment in creating the music is apparent in each song. Take a look at some of Eicher’s clips on YouTube if you are not familiar with his music and then the clever transposition from a rock band full of contrast and energy to solo piano is better appreciated.

With the precise notes of the piano there is nothing additional to disperse the melody which allows, encourages and almost demands that you become immersed in the emotion of the moment.

As with each of his albums since 2007, Doug Hammer never fails to impress and thirteen tracks of Swim to America, Vol. 2 (une rétrospective Stephan Eicher au piano) does that over and over again. Volume three is to continue the journey with perhaps a home coming in the land of America. We will wait with pleasant anticipation for this release in the near future.

December 13, 2023
Where We Swim

Where We Swim as a title immediately draws in a reader who is interested in swimming and nature, travel, and family; but first, the swimming. Ingrid Horrocks explains feelings about immersing her body in water. Any water: baths, pools, oceans or rivers. She describes the wonderful feelings when a swimmer can sense the “Water of my body contained within the water of the sea.” I get that! Gradually we follow Ingrid’s journey, from childhood to the present day. We see how she swam as a child with her mother and embraces the sensations of immersing her body in water.

As the story progresses, we discover that Ingrid has a partner and twin nine-year-old daughters. They live in New Zealand. The family visit Ingrid’s parents who live near the sea, and we meet the people who have influenced her life and thoughts in a happy and relaxed way. The story is relayed in chunks of special times in their lives.

The author’s brother lives in Columbia, hardly a safe tourist destination, but one which she was drawn to because of strong family ties. Some of the tourist activities they embark on are dangerous and frightening. Her brother is confident the family will come to no harm as he takes them on some hair-raising activities which are described in detail, leaving a cautious reader to grip the book tightly.

Episodes of importance in Ingrid’s life are relayed in this book. Her thoughts and musings on environment and nature are interesting and progressive. Reading this story is almost like being a neighbour of the family, watching as they grow, relate and discover a wider and wider world. Thank you, Ingrid, for including us in your journey and musings. The love of water and immersion is special.

July 11, 2021
Eric Makes A Splash

This colourful Picture Book is appealing with bright and bold illustrations and interesting characters. The main character is Eric, the Panda. He is surrounded by many friends and playmates, but his best friend Flora (the rabbit), is “Brave and fearless.” Life is full of different challenges and adventures every day, and the bear and the rabbit explore these together.

Eric is a worrier. He worries about many things, but like most of us, is very nervous about new things to try. Flora does her best to reassure him and helps to play games and pretend he is being a hippopotamus when there is mud, and a spider when he is climbing. Together, they are able to conquer most things. But then a birthday invitation arrives for a pool party. Eric can’t swim, but desperately wants to go to the party.

The author has created a situation where Eric conquers his fear of water, and Flora needs Eric’s support to face a giant slide. This is such a busy book, each double page spread shows many characters, and their activities and intentions. Shopping for bathers is a colourful activity, and the many flowers, insects and birds invite a close scrutiny of the pages. The text is kept to a minimum, and it is quite large. Some words are expanded, and others printed in a different font to create interest.

This is a fun story, but it is definitely NOT a book about learning to swim.

March 13, 2018