This album is such a treat to listen, enjoyed the string arrangement and piano playing on ‘Touched’ and the stunning saxophone playing on ‘I Miss the Laughter Most’. Then there’s that placid feeling in ‘Thanksgiving With You.’ It’s one of those albums, you press repeat-all and start smiling. I love the command Laima has over the piano.
From acclaimed pianist Laima Gaizutis, any new offering is eagerly awaited and her latest volume of work is well worth the wait! The gentle melodies and calm compositions are utterly bewitching and yet again prove just how very gifted she is as a musician. ” Whispers” speaks gently to the soul and the piano and flute form a meditative melody :-). “Midnight” carries a quality of the ethereal and fairy-like impressions…the melancholy tones of violin is so well-blended with piano so as to sound one…..I loved it! “I Miss the Laughter Most” with a soft groove is a heart-warming track; I found the melody of this track really lovely :-). Whereas “Long Summer Night” has a bit of mystery to its fascinating tune and a hypnotic groove, “Stillness” is like a reflection in calm waters. The flute performance is excellent in this wonderful track :-). I fell in love with “Lilting” ….this is such a marvelous track, I have been playing this on loop for a sometime now! “Penny Arcade” is a departure from the other slower tracks of the album. The playfulness and liveliness of the track is brought out wonderfully with the staccato progression….great track :-). Laima Gaizutis continues to amaze me with her beautiful, superlative compositions, gentle orchestration and excellent production quality of her albums :-):-):-)
MainlyPiano.com – Kathy Parsons
Simply Beautiful Collection II is the follow-up to pianist/composer Laima Gaizutis’ 2014 debut (I think you can guess the title!). The daughter of Lithuanian refugees, Gaizutis’ family settled in Cleveland, Ohio when Laima was a young child. She started studying the piano at the age of six, continuing her studies through her college degree at the Eastman School of Music. She made her local television debut in a talent show at the age of nine, played the piano for modern dance classes, and started teaching piano by the time she was a senior in high school.
Music and Media Focus – Michael Diamond
Although I might normally end a feature article with a quote like this from an artist, I liked it so much I think I’ll begin with it. In my interview with pianist and composer Laima Gaizutis my final question was: What are your musical goals in the future? I loved her half serious, half tongue in cheek reply: “To have my music recognized. I have a wardrobe ready to go!”
New Age Music Reviews – Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
Laima Gaizutis has an interesting and inspiring life story. The roots of success in early America are due to many immigrants bringing their talents to this country. In more modern times Laima’s parents immigrated to Cleveland from Lithuania and that is where she began her lifetime love affair with piano.
Simply Beautiful Collection II encompasses eleven instrumental tracks with varying degrees of pace and styles. Once you listen to the album you would have to agree that the title is quite appropriate.
Track 4, “I Missed Laughter Most,” I found filled with twists and turns unlike the previous three tracks. The first few tracks set the ambiance mood if you will while this track offers a sudden change of pace with elements of jazz stirred into the mixture for a bit more color.
Journeyscapes Radio – Candice Michelle
“Simply Beautiful Collection II” is the follow-up to “Simply Beautiful Collection” by pianist and composer, Laima Gaizutis. A Lithuanian native currently living in Houston, Texas, Laima began playing piano at the age of six. Featuring eleven piano ensemble pieces which span forty-two minutes, Laima is joined on various compositions by Lauren Chauvin on violin, Beth A. Wiehe on flute, Buzzy Smith on jazz piano, David Caceras on alto saxophone, Warren Sneed on soprano saxophone, and Gary Wiedon on harmonica. The wholesome gracefulness of the compositions is visually interpreted by the album’s lovely floral and butterfly artwork design.
The B Company-Bill Binkelman
The pianist/composer’s new album, recorded with stellar guest artists, offers memorable melodies rich with warmth and tinted with a discernible romanticism.…her versatility, as she crisscrosses from one genre to another is equally impressive. New age, neo-classical, pop instrumental, even a hint of jazz—it’s all here…