Fiona Joy Hawkins – “Blue Dream – Solo Piano”

One of my favorite artists is back; along with her beautiful voice and expert piano playing. She has created another great, relaxing, new album for release; Blue Dream Solo Piano. The album was released, September 8, 2023, on Little Hartley Music. This new album is the solo piano version of the 2008 masterpiece Blue Dream, which was an ARIA award nominated, three time ZMR, IMA, IAMA, and MusicOz award-winning album; produced by the Grammy winning team of Will Ackerman and Corin Nelsen.

Fiona Joy Hawkins’ mission statement reads, “My greatest hope and joy is for my music to make a difference…” Well, mission accomplished!

Fiona Joy Hawkins is an Australian pianist, singer, composer, speaker, and international touring artist. She is classically trained and inspired by her Celtic heritage; her work is considered ethereal music; made for your dreamtime. Whenever that might be.

Living in rural Australia, Fiona has played New York’s Carnegie Hall, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Sydney, Australia’s famous, Opera House, Echoes/NPR Radio, the Grammy Museum, and concert halls in China. Will Ackerman, Founder Windham Hill Records, once stated, “One of the brightest lights in contemporary instrumental music, Fiona Joy is poised to move into stardom.” Dave Wilson, from AudioAficionado.org, stated, “For me, she is a modern female Beethoven. I know that is very high praise, but I think many folks will be looking back many years from now, and she will still be current. That is what makes her music stand the test of time. Her albums play so smooth, like a good book you just can’t put down, and yet before you know it is over”. Fiona is also a member of the band project, FLOW, made up of (Will Ackerman, Jeff Oster and Lawrence Blatt).

Blue Dream Solo Piano was produced by the Grammy winning team of Will Ackerman and Corin Nelsen.

Fiona says this, about the new version of the 2008 album, “This solo piano adaptation captures the essence and spirit of the original work while showcasing its main themes in a fresh and intimate setting. Stripped down to their core, these main themes reveal the true beauty and raw emotion that lie at the heart of “Blue Dream”. The album offers a more introspective and personal experience, inviting listeners to delve deeper into an emotional and intimate presentation of the music”.

I do believe I reviewed the original album back in 2008, for another website. This version of the album is indeed more intimate. As if Fiona was in your living room playing the piano just for you, alone. Imagine your own, personal, concert, that you can listen to over and over again; when you purchase this album. It is not only quieting and comforting, it may lower your blood pressure in minutes. So, another of its benefits can be better health.

Put Blue Dream Solo Piano, on after a stressful day at work, and you should feel a calm drift through your consciousness and body. The anxieties and frustrations you were feeling should drift away, if only for the duration of the album. However, you will be relieved. This album did that for me this evening. There are no lyrics or singing, which you will probably be thankful for, when the music begins to play. Just you, alone with your thoughts. Time to dream big, or mentally solve some of the problems which seem insurmountable with all the “noise” and activities that surround our lives.

My favorites are, but not limited to: “Freedom”, “From the Outside”, “Standing Up”, the title track “Blue Dream”, “Contemplating”, “Sunrise at Ularu”, or Ayers Rock, the red rock at the heart of Australia; in the deep Outback, (A bucket list place for me to visit someday), “Voice of Angels”, Bob Ross’ favorite, I’m sure, “Prelude to a Painting”, and of course, “Somewhere”.

Get Blue Dream Solo Piano, and sleep better. Putting this on, just before descending into dreams, is the best way to enjoy it. Blue Dream Solo Piano, is wonderful in every way, and made with love, care, and that original mission: Fiona’s wish, “for my music to make a difference…”