Disklavier

I only have a few Pianosoft titles that came with my DKV - a few mediocre classical collections and a collection by Dick Hyman that is fair. I'm not too interested in multi channel stuff, as I have an old Mk II. When not playing the piano myself (yes, even more fun then listening) I listen to free performances from disklavierworld.com or Doug McKenzie. When I listen to samples from Yamaha they sound pretty lame for my tastes. I wish Yamaha would hire some great modern jazz pianists to do solo performances, but there are slim pickings in that area. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to listen.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com






> On Feb 16, 2015, at 2:57 PM, kassey22000@... [disklavier] <disklavier@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> 
> 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!
> 
>