In my mind, Windham Hill is synonymous with beautiful music. Some of
the most wonderful instrumentals I've heard were artists on the Windham Hill label. Jim Brickman is one of these artists. His romantic piano pieces capture a sense of passion and let the listener experience it over and over again through his music.

On "Visions of Love," Brickman produces a compilation that is perfect
to put on when you're with that special someone. Be forewarned, however, if you're not a hopeless romantic, then this CD might go a bit too far for you. Most of the songs are definitely geared to those folks in the "everlasting love" stage of life. Or anyone who believes that such a state can exist. Brickman wanted a chance to put out a record full of music with a positive message. "There is really a lack of strong material like this out
there right now. Much of the music kids are listening to has negative, hard edges, and so my focus has always been on reaching out to adults, spreading positive messages of hope and love."

The record starts off with "That's What I'm Here For." It's a beautiful,
romantic song, sung by David Grow, about having that someone special who'll be there for you through good times and bad. Just through everything. Grow's vocals are very soothing and the lyrics are just plain comforting.

Anne Cochran's "After All These Years" is a song about an enduring love. Spending your life with that special someone and yet still being surprised that you're together "after all these years."

The songs go along in this vein for a bit with Phil Perry's "One Heart, One Love" and Larry Stewart's "Still in Love." Fortunately, the next song is "Parners in Crime," Brickman's instrumental number with Dave Koz. I'm as romantic as the next person (sometimes more) but I was becoming overwhelmed by this point. "Partners in Crime" has Brickman on piano and Koz on alto sax. This is a nice instrumental interlude and provided me with a chance to breathe after all the emotion pouring out from the previous songs.

Then we get right back into it with Michelle Wright singing "Your Love."
Nothing else matters as long as you have the love of that special someone. Flowers, ring, none of it is as important as love, "'cause your love is the greatest gift of all."

Actually, just about all the songs are similar in this sentiment, with
one exception. Janis Ian's "Getting Over You" is about letting go and
getting over that one great love after things end. It's a pretty sad song.
Bittersweet, I guess you could say. I just know that it really made me tear up. Thank goodness the record didn't end with this song.

Amanda Upchurch contributes a cover of James Taylor's "Shower the People" that I think really sums up in one neat little song what needs to be done in our lifetime. "Shower the people you love with love....show them the way that you feel." Ok, so I admit that I'm a hopeless romantic. (Hopeful romantic?) This is a great followup to Ian's song and gets things moving back into an upswing.

This whole record is filled with emotional songs about love. Brickman
put it together with the hope of spreading romance to the world of music
lovers out there, and that's just what he's done here. Song after song of
heartfelt music. Song after song just pouring out emotions that are often
left unspoken. It's truly a beautiful compilation. If you're in love and
looking for a special collection to share with that special someone, then go
out and buy this record. If you're just a hopeless romantic, and love music full of love and emotion, then pick this up. If you're a masochistic person who just lost the love of your life, and want to torture yourself, I can't think of a better way.