If you have been a follower of Craig Armstrong’s work, then Piano Works are materials that you have probably heard before. The difference though is that it is literally about the piano. No collaborations or vocals or synthesizers but the grand piano in its full glory, which makes it absolutely mesmerizing. Interestingly, Craig Armstrong is on the Sanctuary label, same as Blue Nile and the CD is classified under “Classical”.

It is not a pop album that you would listen casually. It is music that you play in the background when you want a quiet moment and it quietly hits you how beautiful and lyrical the piano can be. Some pieces are just dreamy and tantalizing that you drift into a different world altogether. For me this is an autumn album – it is perfect for an autumn’s walk in the park with the falling leaves and multi-colored autumn leaves. It was released sometime in May 2004 but it should have been an autumn release.

The CD comes with a video trailer of the Piano Works set in Paris and it is a beautiful blend of imagery and music. It is enough to inspire me to become a cinematographer myself!

Songs like Heat Miser and Weather Storm were on the Space Between Us but when they are played out on the grand piano, it gives a completely different meaning to the song and simply spellbinding. There are many others and all you have to do is play it and let the music take you away.