I've come to expect new and wonderful things from these four fellows, and as you can hear for yourself, it's not in their dispositions to prove disappointing. Jon Schmidt, Paul Cardall, David Tolk, and Michael R. Hicks have each painted a few strokes on a new age canvas emerging as the newest masterpiece among LDS instrumentalists.

Piano Portraits is a brilliant compilation from those who can now be labeled the top four contemporary LDS pianists. The Fab Four - Jon, Paul, David, and Michael - each lent two songs from previous albums and included a new one. The result is magic. In Covey terms, there is some serious "synergy" going on - the whole is assuredly greater than the sum of the parts. Each song is at the same time a lullaby, a hymn, and an anthem of introspection.

Let's dissect what makes this a winning album.

1. Contemporary/new age piano is a winning genre for Latter-day Saints

David explained this perfectly.

"Piano music is so well accepted within the LDS community because of the genre's ability to help us feel close to things that are good and wholesome," Tolk said. What's ironic about this statement is that it once applied to only a narrow cross-section of Latter-day Saints, but because of the contributions of these four artists, that segment has expanded into infinite potential.

Ten years ago, would you have dared predict that a solo pianist could sell-out the largest campus venues in Utah? Who among you could have admitted that your teenager preferred listening to contemporary piano over rock 'n' roll? And did you even stand a chance at being able to name an LDS pianist whose CDs were selling substantially in national markets?

Contrast that with today. When BYU students find out Jon Schmidt is coming, they fill every one of the Wilkinson Center Ballroom's 2,000 seats. As he travels with Peter Breinholt through sold-out shows including the U of U's Kingsbury Hall, David Tolk always gets the stage to himself at least once each night. Ask any Especially For Youth participant of the last three years, and they'll proceed to tell you how deeply they love Michael R. Hicks' medley "As Sisters in Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth." Peruse the Narada Records catalog - part of the Virgin Music Group - and you'll find CDs by Paul Cardall that have landed on the Billboard Top 25 new age charts.

Either these guys have proven the worth of contemporary piano, or they're extremely lucky. And I think we all know the answer here. Latter-day Saints are demanding more new age music without the strings attached. We want the relaxation without the mixed moral signals and the astrological charts. Piano Portraits was created with the hope of giving people a peaceful, thoughtful experience, which resulted in a first-class new age album.

2. A combined sixteen albums of experience cannot be ignored

All four artists agree that this is a fair representation of their individual approaches to composition. My expectation of compilation albums has sunk to the level where I consider being able to listen to one straight through without pulling my hair out as ultimate success. To their credit, Jon, Paul, David, and Michael have revived my belief in these projects because of one particular reason.

Here's the key, and I'll repeat it for emphasis: ALTHOUGH IT'S A COMPILATION, THIS ALBUM FLOWS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.  This might sound simple, but it's much like asking four painters to blend their colors on a canvas and make it look like the work of a single artist. You would expect to see a splattered juxtaposition of pieces from four different jigsaw puzzles. However, the flow of Piano Portraits is further evidence of these artists' mastery and craft.

Paul explained the effect of fitting their individual sounds together.

"Successful albums always follow a theme and maintain a certain tone," Cardall said. "We wanted to maintain a laidback, mellow feel. We didn't want our relaxed listeners to have to get up off their couch and turn down the CD because that one 'out-of-place loud song' was up next. People who listen to new age piano can't stand that. Portraits doesn't vary too much in volume. It is very heavy mellow."

Leave it to a foursome who has cranked out sixteen albums to be able to harness their combined strengths in such a way.

3. The cross-appeal of fan bases helps everyone

Credit these guys with a genius marketing strategy in addition to their musical abilities. Think of it in terms of referrals. If you're one who has heard some of David Tolk's work, for example, it's as though you spoke with him face-to-face and he gave you three personal recommendations of whose music to check out. How much stronger can your referrals get?

No question, they have four different styles; if you're familiar with one of the artists, it's relatively easy to pick out their songs. Portraits best represents the works of David and Paul, the two whose styles fall strictly within new age boundaries. Michael and Jon have both recorded more upbeat works but here include tunes that appeal to piano enthusiasts of all types.

4. Peaceful music has the potential of expanding across LDS borders

As the whole of LDS music blossoms, let us not forget the opportunities to become ambassadors of the Spirit of God through our craft. We ought to applaud each effort in the campaign to share the love of God in all its forms. Piano Portraits is one of those forms; it expresses the sheer comfort the Savior willed to His followers in John 14:27:

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

In this frame of mind, Jon, Paul, David, and Michael should have our full endorsement to bring their enchanting album to the world at large.

Contemporary piano is one of the most accepted forms of music in LDS communities, and this album looks to expand the genre's influence by showing what can be done, giving listeners four prime names to remember, and giving those four artists their best chance yet to meet a non-LDS audience hungry for the peace of their music. Best of luck, guys.