“Unspoken Conversations” by Barry DeGroot
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Sometimes things are just better left unsaid. And sometimes not. “Unspoken Conversations” is one of those times when I couldn’t keep my mouth shut and I wanted to have this conversation.
When I first heard this music, I emailed Barry back rather immediately and asked, “Who ARE you?” I had never heard of him. But I am quite familiar with exquisitely beautiful music when I hear it. Now, in a just few short months and over 50K streams later, Barry’s musical “conversations” are becoming very well known. And appreciated by thousands. So, let’s have a deeper conversation now about “Unspoken Conversations,” this gorgeous solo piano album from a former lawyer.
I wondered why Barry would bring forth this music after all this time, seemingly out of nowhere. DeGroot says, “For decades, life carried me elsewhere, to careers, responsibilities, and the quiet routines of the corporate world. But throughout those years, the piano remained a constant companion, a place where I could return to feel, remember, and breathe.”
Now, in this new chapter of his life, Barry steps fully into that world he never left behind, composing, performing, and creating music with renewed freedom, sharing at last the music that has always spoken so eloquently for him when words could not.
The album is a richly textured, emotionally evocative collection of seven solo piano pieces that explore quiet truths without ever speaking them aloud in words. Introspective, intimate, and incredibly inviting, the album offers solace to anyone who has ever felt something or anything too deep to articulate.
Blending modern neo-classical influences and New Age music aesthetics with delicate, melodic piano themes, a few of the pieces include subtle orchestration. “Unspoken Conversations” showcases DeGroot’s ability to translate human emotion into compelling and immersive musical narratives.
The album opens with the very beautiful “Serenity,” which is gentle and relaxing piano with soft orchestration. And right there we know this album is something special.
Following is the equally lovely “Reminiscent” which communicates a gentle nostalgic feeling through flowing arpeggios and a wistful melodic line. “A Clever Conversation” occurs between left and right hands in the next piece, which is very well done. This is intricate and again intimate, and perhaps a perfect communication.
What I like best about this whole album is that it feels wonderfully and effortlessly balanced. And along with that, it’s calmly melodic and ultra-relaxing.
We are always somewhere even if we feel like we are wandering through uncertainty. “Somewhere” opens in gentle mystery, later evolves into diminished chords, and then gradually resolves into a feeling of serenity. It’s not meandering. It’s a reflection of life.
One of my favorites on this album is “While You’re Here,” which lovingly reminds us of how precious our time is with one another. This is a warm, delicate, and emotionally evocative soundscape that I could listen to over and over and never tire of it. Quiet, dreamy string orchestration adds a lovely layer of tranquility and soft sentimentality.
With great chord progressions and a rhythmic pulse, “The Pendulum” speaks softly and calmly, yet quite confidently. I think Barry says it best from the liner notes, “It feels as if the inner voice, once whispered, now dares to speak louder.” It’s one very special thing about this album in my opinion. It’s as if we are suddenly privy to private, yet universal, heartfelt, soul-touching conversations that have been held back way too long and that were always meant to be shared. The album feels not only completely authentic, but graciously and elegantly courageous.
How do we reconcile the past with the present? Sometimes, it’s not the easiest thing to do. But the final piece on the album, “All That Was” invites us to do just that. The composition begins reflectively and contemplatively, then passionately builds before returning to quiet serenity and we are left with a sense of ultimate gratitude and peaceful closure.
This is one of the best solo piano albums I’ve heard this year, and you will want to get the whole thing. We certainly look forward to more from this talented artist. And the problem is, for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I have the right words to adequately describe this beautiful music. I do think, simply, the album truly “speaks” for itself.
Get it here: https://www.barrydegroot.com
