True North  (2004)

Featuring "Scheherazade" & "Linus and Sally in Love" (both charting Top 20 on American Idol Underground)

True North is a telling of life, as all true art is. Pieces such as Wedding Dance, written during a very rainy honeymoon cruise, or First Breath, written to be played during the birth of his first daughter, capture the emotion life’s turns imbue us with. True North is in fact a song cycle spanning the brashness of youth, the finding of true love, the circling of life, thru a lonely journey at its conclusion.

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Review by Nancy at www.Streams-of-Time.net ~~~ Music to chase away the grayest of winter days and shine forth with the warmth of spring! Michael Straugh truly enthralls listeners with the passion in his playing in "True North." He's composed, arranged and played a collection of beautiful instrumental songs which are truly the music of life. Complex piano melodies played with grace and passion to delight the senses.

Review by Frank at www.Streams-of-Time.net ~~~ Straugh, in the opinion of this reviewer, has done a marvelous job in blending Contemporary and more Classical compositional idioms into works that are at once captivating upon first listening, yet contain layers of complexity where one may hear something a little bit different each time. For those who enjoy Contemporary Piano music, "True North" will make a welcome addition.

Review by Joshua at www.Streams-of-Time.net ~~~ I'm awarding "True North", a unique and truly moving collection of contemporary piano solos, Streams-of-Time's above average rating, 4 out of 5 Stars.
 

    The Road Less Traveled  (2006)

Seven selections from Michael's second offering have charted in the Top 10 on American Idol Underground and Broadjam. Features "A Winter's Tail", "Adagio", " Ekta" & "listening to a painting by Chagall".

When Michael encountered Robert Frost's proverbial fork in the road a few years ago, he remembered Frost's inspirational poem "The Road Not Taken".  It was that poem that largely stirred the courage he needed to take that "road less traveled", which ultimately resulted in these recordings.  It is in tribute to Frost and that poem that this album is titled.

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Review by Virginia Tamayo at www.amazings.com ~~~ Starting from an approach based on the most romantic side of current instrumental music and with the piano as the protagonist, Michael Straugh incorporates most adequately classical elements, influences from such musicians as George Winston, as well as subtle shades of the most melodic side of Jazz, thus shaping a work with great expressiveness. Melodies that connect at once, rhythms at times calm, at times more lively, yet always fresh, and a quite personal focus, allow the artist to display his creativity without obstacles.

Review by Bill Binkelman at www.newagereporter.com ~~~ Straugh's music blends accessible nostalgic warmth with an adventurous unconventionality... The result is a recording which challenges the listener, without being overly intellectual and still evoking an emotive, human response… If you long for something fresh sounding, The Road Less Traveled is one road you should consider taking.

Review by Kathy Parsons at www.solopianopublications.com ~~~ Strong, expressive, and original... solid and well-crafted.

Review of "Ekta" by MongoKnowsRecords at www.c0nsensus.com ~~~ scored 10 / 10.  Most excellent. Michael Straugh's "Ekta" is from a dream. Gentle warm winds sweeping down a high plains grassland, basking in a pale blue moonlight slowly rising from a distant horizon. There is just something that comes from the sound of a real Grand Piano - alone - by itself complete. Every note - the interplay of meter between the bass line and higher keys... fabulous recording - perfectly done. Perfect execution. We should all wish we could play this well. Out of 9 Bonez - Mongo give 72.

Lee Widener at NeverEndingWonder Radio ~~~ Beautiful music...pleased to feature it on NeverEndingWonder Radio.
 

    The Open Door  (2007)

Featuring "Coming Home", "Cascades I", "Hand in Hand", and "Faerie".

"The Open Door" is about possibilities. It is about taking the chance that is stepping through the open door, to discover and embrace the life that awaits, whether that leads to pursuit of a dream, to self-discovery, or to a new love.

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Review by Kathy Parsons at www.solopianopublications.com ~~~ Combining classical and contemporary elements with his own personal vision, Straugh is carving out his own niche within the new age music movement with music that is both strong and soothing. “The Open Door” begins with “Hand in Hand,” a love song full of contentment and hope. Gentle and lyrical, there is a sense of strength and of moving forward. “Halo” is innocent and light. “Cascades II” is quietly majestic - graceful yet commanding. “Winelight” is slightly more upbeat, but is very easy-going, relaxed, and quite beautiful. The melody for “Back Where You Belong” is strong enough to support lyrics, and seems to be giving advice and telling a story as well as warmly welcoming someone back. “Coming Home” is my favorite track. A sense of urgency and anticipation propels the piece forward and seems to say “I can’t wait to get there.” Lovely! The title track is a bit more abstract, as is the poem that accompanies it. The poem is full of paradox and contradiction, and the piece is somewhat darker and more improvised than the other ten tracks, searching and looking for answers. I like this one a lot, too. “Faerie” is a six-movement, twelve minute fairy tale set to music. Full of color and drama, this is quite an interesting suite. “The Open Door” is by far Michael Straugh’s best CD to date.
 

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