Second Nature

Second Nature Artist: George Skaroulis
Label: Evzone Records
Category: Music



Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 610575200325
EAN: 0610575200325
ASIN: B0000AM6IQ


Release Date: 2003-09-30

Related Categories:

Ambient Ambient
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General General
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General General
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General General
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Adult Alternative Adult Alternative
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Tracks:

  1. Resting Place
  2. Spacious Skies
  3. The Dance Of Time
  4. Water Is Wide
  5. Colorado
  6. Reflection
  7. Seaside
  8. Sunset
  9. Agua Clara
  10. Laughter In The Garden
  11. Second Nature
  12. A River Runs Through It
  13. Mrs. Soffel
  14. Falling Leaves
  15. Cold Morning Shadow
  16. Awakening
  17. Rainforest
  18. Bella Luna
  19. Little Star
  20. I Can Fly
  21. Agua Clara (Reprise)

Similar Items:

  1. Numinous
  2. Return to Homeland
  3. Generations
  4. Forever Young
  5. Sanctuary

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Sublime!!!.......2004-03-16

This CD is probably one of my favorite instrumental CDs in my collection. The tranquil and serene thoughts rush in everytime I listen to the songs from Second Nature. George's music is always a beautiful portrayal of what our minds are capable of - boundless peace and love. Be sure to check out his rendition of the theme from "A River Runs Through It."

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-10-05

"Second Nature" is quite simply one of the most beautiful recordings I've ever heard. George Skaroulis' piano music is effortless, full of grace, and emotionally uplifting without any sticky sweetness or pretension. One senses a very giving and gentle soul behind the music, making the album all the more likable. "Soothing" and "relaxing" are words that are used to describe so many albums in this genre (most of them, actually!), but peace and tranquility emanate from each piece - although several are dark and moody (I like that!!!). This is a collection of twenty-one pieces that would be a wonderful backdrop for almost any activity, but I found myself stopping to listen more carefully each of the ten or twelve times I've played it (so far! - this one ain't gonna collect dust on the shelf!). As a piano teacher, I listen to piano music for a living; and as a reviewer, I listen to piano music in most of my free time. It takes a lot to knock me out, and "Second Nature" has done it. Skaroulis' music is immediately accessible without any commercialism. He expresses his deepest emotions without manipulating listeners or hitting them over the head with the obvious.

Along with his original compositions, Skaroulis has included a beautiful vocal/piano arrangement of "The Water Is Wide." Vocal selections on a mostly-instrumental album can be annoying, but this one fits in beautifully. He has also included poignant arrangements of two of Mark Isham's movie themes - "A River Runs Through It" and "Mrs. Soffel". And then there are the originals. There are too many favorites to name them all, but I'll try to give you a sampling. The title track is stunning - bittersweet, full of longing, and yet flowing like a river. "Reflection" is a shimmering vignette at under two minutes in length, but the openness of the emotions expressed make it a standout. "Aqua Clara" takes a different approach than the other pieces, and has lyrics spoken in Italian. More orchestrated and rhythmic than most of the other tracks, the piano, strings, and voices convey a wide range of emotions. A mysterious piece, Paul Mercer's violin adds a dark and haunting quality. "Cold Morning Shadow" was co-written with Mercer; keyboards support Mercer's sorrowful viola, melting into the ambient "Awakening." The CD closes with a reprise of "Aqua Clara" that is simple, elegant, and very sad.

"Second Nature" is nothing short of amazing. I could go on for days, but give yourself a treat! I can't imagine that anyone would be disappointed in this CD unless they were looking for rap or maybe a polka record. Great stuff! I give it my highest recommendation.

Music CD:

  1. Between Two Worlds ~ Patrick O'Hearn
  2. Ancient Isle ~ Matt Ender
  3. Holiday for Strings ~ David Rose & His Orchestra
  4. Pianissimo II ~ Suzanne Ciani
  5. Northern Seascape
  6. Santosh
  7. Christmas by Candlelight ~ Danny Wright
  8. Mystic Spirit Voices ~ Lesiem
  9. Deseo ~ Jon Anderson
  10. Portraits So Long Ago So Clear ~ Vangelis

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Cuba Canta Y Baila ~ Various Artists

Es Mi Tiempo ~ Manny Manuel

Second Nature ~ George Skaroulis

To Drive the Cold Winter Away ~ Loreena Mckennitt

I Wish I Could Fly ~ Roxette

All Eyes on Me ~ Monica

El De a 20 de Willie ~ Willie Rosario

Non-Stop to Brazil ~ Luiz Bonf%C3%A1

Los Tres Amigos ~ Los Razos de Sacramento

Latin Stars Series ~ Yolandita Monge