Songs of Earth

There's long been a spiritual component to Jessica Williams' work, but rarely has it been as explicit as it is on this set of solo piano pieces. Taken from live performances in Seattle over a three-year period,the seven selections are largely spontaneous improvisations, and that raw creativity is what makes this disc so satisfying, both musically and emotionally.

At first blush, these pieces seem to fall into the category of brooding, dirge-like introspections - more impressionistic than, say, Keith Jarrett's expressionistic solo performances. But it doesn't take long for the range of influences and references to become apparent. There's the classical underpinnings of "Deayrhu," with its gentle Erik Satie-like repetitions; the flamenco-inspired "Montoya"; and the almost hymnal "Joe and Jane."

Not all of the tunes were composed completely on the fly. "Poem" has appeared on two previous recordings as "Poem in G Minor," but Williams gives it an even more delicate shimmer here. John Coltrane's "To Be," from his own late-period spiritual explorations, serves as a jumping off point for Williams' stream-of-conscious expression.

With her strong left hand and clear-eyed sense, of melodic development, Williams' pianism is especially suited to the solo format. Whether it's the insistent bass line of "Poem" or the right hand melody whirling on top of a left-hand drone on "The Enchanted Loom," she delivers a full sound without clutter or ostentation. There isn't a wasted moment to be found here.