It Was Perfect (Until it Wasn’t)

Evelyn Bates

Single Review

Written by Luke Knowles

Let me paint you a picture. Imagine yourself alone on a brisk autumn morning as you weave down a beaten path. Every now and again snatches of sunlight break through as you bury your hands deeper into your pockets. After several silent minutes you arrive at a familiar spot. That tree you spent your teenage years drinking under or the gentle river now heaving with skimming stones. Whatever it is, you pause. In that moment you flash back to those days, all the good and the bad. You smile slightly before turning away and continuing on your walk. Why did I ask you to picture this? It is because that in that moment, that feeling of nostalgic reflection and bitter sweet remembrance is what Evelyn Bates has captured so perfectly in her latest piano composition ‘It Was Perfect (Until it Wasn’t)’.

Over her last several releases in particular, Evelyn has consistently proven her ability to craft emotive pieces of instrumental work. Her delicate use of subtle key work combined with well thought out and expressive bass note lines really allowed me as the listener to almost get a glimpse into her feelings at the time, and this is what makes a piano such an amazing instrument. For example on this track that is inspired by the repetitive and reflective nature of life, each grouping of notes is flavoured with a teary smile. The song seems to celebrate both the joy of comfort but the regret of letting chances drift by.

Musically, these feelings and emotions are reflected in the use of light and shade key work throughout the song. The opening bars are quite subdued and dull while in contrast the middle of the track is full of bright notes that overlay the original dulled tones. All through the song a phrasing is used as a sort of anchor point and keeps the song in an almost story telling structure. This element is reenforced through the cinematic quality of the majority of the song. At times the brilliant use of the sustain even creates the illusion of a tentative string section beneath the piano work, adding to its emotional pull. The song then winds itself to its conclusion by repeating the opening phrasing but with a more deliberate and slowed tempo, almost like the final glance at something before you move on.

Overall, Evelyn Bates has taken her talents and once again whisked her listeners off on a sonic journey down their own reflective thoughts and feelings. This element of instrumental music makes it so enjoyable to review and experience. While most songs let the lyrics fill in the story as you listen, instrumental tracks urge you to impose your own story into the music. They create a bedrock of emotion and your imagination is left to build on top of it. With this beautiful piece  the story your mind could weave is endless.

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