The Way It Was - Alexis Ffrench (review)
- by Peter Källman
- in Reviews
Alexis Ffrench has unveiled a soulful piano track titled “The Way It Was,” boasting a robust melody that carries throughout. Despite being solely played on piano, it exudes the presence of a full band, evoking imagery of a singer accompanying it. Scheduled for an Autumn release via Sony Classical, Alexis's upcoming album, appropriately titled “Classical Soul Volume One,” will explore his Classical Soul music in depth. If you're captivated by the essence of this track, anticipation for the album is inevitable. Expect a plethora of original piano and orchestral compositions infused with snippets of beloved soul anthems. Still curious about what defines classic soul? Here are some examples that Alexis might consider:
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
"A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke
- "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
- "My Girl" by The Temptations
- "Let’s Stay Together" by Al Green
- "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers
These are just some examples and as always it is hard to say exactly where someone (Alexis in this case) gets their inspiration. Even though “Classical Soul” sets some boundaries, there are still different paths to follow within that genre. However, there is no doubt that Alexis is pioneering the frontier of turning the piano into the focal point of Soul music. The Way It Was is a track that is very beautiful. I am not just using the word “beautiful” as a generally prescribed word that I can use for something I like. No, this track is actually beautiful. Some tracks have high energy, some have low. Some are sad, some are happy. This track is beautiful. I think one of the hardest things to pull off, that Alexis actually pulls off, is making something beautiful that does not cross the line of being corny.
The track was inspired by Ffrench’s late father’s record collection and recorded at Miraval Studios. This studio, famously owned by Brad Pitt. Ffrench shows us through this record that he has always had a strong love for soul music, ever since his childhood. In addition to releasing masterful piano pieces, he has also hosted masterclasses, performed at major events and has the time to keep up a pretty influential social media profile. All this is a lot for a guy and a piano. The coming year might prove to be a very fruitful musical year for Alexis Ffrench and I am excited to see what he does with it. Soul music is very much universal so I am sure that most people can find a place in their lives for “The Way It Was”. As for the title of the track, I am not sure what it alludes to. Since the track has no lyrics, I guess that this is open for interpretation. The song certainly feels very genuine and down to earth, maybe expressing a longing for music and a world at large that could return to the way it was. Exactly where and when Alexis wants to return is also hard to say. If I were to guess, back to the glory days of Soul music. If that is the case, I couldn't agree more. Whatever the case though, I am glad to have Alexis here today, making music. Go check him out!
