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Favorite Pianosoft Albums

2015-02-16 by kassey22000@...

I did a little searching and didn't find any recent posts listing which Pianosoft (Smart, Plus, CD) titles were favorites of members of this user group. Seems like a number of us have found some real gems (and alas, some real duds!). Maybe the group lead would set up a poll and help others new to purchasing these (not inexpensive) titles some guidance. With the sales on now at a number of these reseller sites (eastcoastmusic, sheetmusicplus, Yamahamusicsoft) and deals for new and used Pianosoft titles on eBay and Amazon, it might be a good time to stock up before some of these titles disappear forever (like Jamie Cullum's Twenty Something - Smart Pianosoft diskette).


I'll start with a few recent gems I found compelling (meaning: great arrangements with good-excellent piano accompaniment). In general I've found that the following pianists really make the Disklavier sound great:

Mike Garson - plays the piano accompaniment on many Smart Pianosoft albums as well as his own CDs

Sue Downs - her Pianosoft plus CDs and accompaniment are wonderful as are her solo albums.

Tom Zink - also does a fine job with R&B as well as some rock and pop accompaniments.

Shelly Berg and Bret Mills also come to mind as good DK pianists.


My current top favorites are:

1. Rit's House - Lee Ritenour - SPS (SmartPianoSoft so needs matching CD)

2. Tracks of my Tears - Various - Piansoft+Audio on CD

3. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis - SPS

4. Travel Log - Joni Mitchell - SPS

5. Room for Squares & Heavier Things - John Mayer - SPS

6. Home for Now - Tom Zink - P+A-CD

7.Best of - George Benson - SPS

9. Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder - SPS

10. Best of the Song Books - Ella Fitzgerald - SPS


Lots more but that's a good start.

Also fellow Disklavier fans would probably love to see some type of "lending library" (with the publisher's approval, of course) for "out-of-print" Pianosoft titles that still sound great but no longer have a revenue stream for the publisher or artist. How about it Hal Leonard and Yamaha? ;-)

Happy Listening!

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