River To River Trail: The Hike through Shawnee National ...

Absolutely beautiful -- Very highly recommended:
I attended graduate school in Southern Illinois, and while its been a number of years since I left behind the quite of my walks there, those memories spring to life as I listen to Zola Van's RIVER TO RIVER TRAIL: THE HIKE (through Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois). This evocative collection of piano solos recreates the pianist's journey through the Shawnee National Forest. Memories of ferns, flowers and wildlife will accompany listeners who journey through these marvelous piano solos. Beginning with "Steps," the excitement of the beginning of the journey will include the listener in the pianist's exhilaration. Through the difficult terrain of High Knob, the wondrous beauty of the Garden of the Gods, whether accompanied by running water or the ancient echoes of history, each moment is uniquely captured in music. An awe of creation will accompany this listening experience evoking tears and joy, an appreciation of the magnificence of creation and a sense of wonder. A series of eleven compositions, Zola Van's RIVER TO RIVER TRAIL: THE HIKE will appeal to outdoors lovers, classical piano fans, and new age fans alike. Indeed, this CD is both fiercely evocative and sensuously beautiful, resulting in a calming, healing experience for all listeners. Very highly recommended.

Music of Plenty:
Her music is very soothly, enlightening and enjoyable. The "Rain at Ghost Dance Canyon Trail - Dixon Springs" song reminds me of days of listening to the rain. Very simple but very genuine. I think I will purchase her CD.

Siimply incedible is all I can say!:
Someone once told that there are places in the heart where words can not touch; those are the places where music goes. The CD River to River Trail is one of those recordings where only music can touch that special place of your heart. Zola Van has extraordinary talent for capturing the essence of nature's beauty through music. This album allows closing your eyes and traveling to the Shawnee National Forrest and beginning the journey from Battery Rock to Rock Creek, the first track. The track Angels' Dance at the Garden of the Gods is my favorite track, so easy, so sweet and so soothing that the relaxation effect is and was incredible. After a hard day at work listening to track 5, Flight of the Thunderbird, is nothing short of amazing for its ability to ease the tension. When my kids start to get ready for bed, playing this album calms them down and allows a smooth transition. My daughter loves the Might River track and seems to quiet down when it's playing. Finally track 12, Trail never ends, has vocals by Richard McNeill. Whether you love classical, easy listening or new age music, you'll find a remarkable collection of music in this album. Simply incredible!

The Beauty of the Shawnee National Forest Captured in Music:
Zola Van is known for capturing the majestic beauty of nature in her piano solos. Each solo seems to be the outer expression of the inner joy she feels as she is walking through the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. In River to River Trail: The Hike, you will experience the rushing of a river, the tumbling of water over rocks, the swirling of water along the edges of the Ohio river and many other imaginative moments where water seems to play a central role. The Battery Rock Creek solo also captures the anticipation Zola Van feels as she walks along the trail towards a wilderness area between the Ohio River and the Mississippi river. Heartbeat at High Knob feels more restful in its meandering lullaby quality. Zola was also inspired by migrating Monarch butterflies and you can almost see them fluttering towards the sky and then landing again as she plays. Angel's Dance at Garden of the Gods is inspired by what she calls "wondrous beauty." I see angels in a ballet because the notes are delicate and have a flight of fancy element interspersed with an ethereal echoing quality. Broken Wing at Lusk Creek has a definite melancholy pace and contemplative awe throughout the solo inspired by an area called Indian Kitchen where nothing man-made can be seen. As she walks on to an ancient Indian Village she sees a Thunderbird take flight. Flight of the Thunderbird at Mill Stone Bluff is mysterious and almost breathless in its pace. Rain at Ghost Dance Canyon Trail: Dixon Springs is inspired by giant boulders, pools, waterfalls and rain dancing on leaves and wildflowers. Walk by Here: Ferne Clyffe almost has a sorrowful ending, it is as if Zola wants to stay and enjoy an area many visitors never see. Zola's music is filled with a reverence for nature and in a moment of deep solitude she is inspired by a barred owl resting in a pine tree. As she plays Barred Owl at Panthers' Den, you can see the owl watching this mysterious visitor and then he descends into the tangled branches and disappears as Zola's playing tapers off gently. Trail Magic at Rocky Comfort tells of magical experiences and stories long distance hikers enjoyed telling their friends. Shooting Stars on Trillium Trail: Giant City was inspired by a rare wildflower now known as French's Shooting Star. Mighty River: Tower Rock is best described by Zola when she says: "Conflicting emotions swirl through me, as the water swirls through the sand along the shore: relief that my journey is over but also sadness for it and joy at my accomplishment." You can feel her emotions and this solo sends shivers through me. Richard McNeill then sings about the entire journey and how it relates to life and finding your destiny. Trails Never End: Devil's Backbone is poetry set to music and I love the lines: I gaze into the night. A million stars I see, And I have come to be Part of this mystery. Zola Van's music inspires moments of relaxation or you may even want to listen to her music as you walk along a trail near your own home. This collection of piano solos will awaken your aesthetic appreciation for nature and make even a casual walk by a river an awe-inspiring journey. Since I was born in Illinois and now live by a river, I thought it was finally time to review one of my favorite Zola Van CDs. If you enjoy this CD, I think you will love: Paint the Forest Winter and Carol: A Christmas Journey. ~The Rebecca Review

Beautiful! Very highly recommended! Editor@wordweaving.com:
I attended graduate school in Southern Illinois, and while its been a number of years since I left behind the quite of my walks there, those memories spring to life as I listen to Zola Van's RIVER TO RIVER TRAIL: THE HIKE (through Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois). This evocative collection of piano solos recreates the pianist's journey through the Shawnee National Forest. Memories of ferns, flowers and wildlife will accompany listeners who journey through these marvelous piano solos. Beginning with "Steps," the excitement of the beginning of the journey will include the listener in the pianist's exhilaration. Through the difficult terrain of High Knob, the wondrous beauty of the Garden of the Gods, whether accompanied by running water or the ancient echoes of history, each moment is uniquely captured in music. An awe of creation will accompany this listening experience evoking tears and joy, an appreciation of the magnificence of creation and a sense of wonder. A series of eleven compositions, Zola Van's RIVER TO RIVER TRAIL: THE HIKE will appeal to outdoors lovers, classical piano fans, and new age fans alike. Indeed, this CD is both fiercely evocative and sensuously beautiful, resulting in a calming, healing experience for all listeners. Very highly recommended.