Longing CD Review 1998... In the liner notes of his new CD, "Longing," Kyle Liedtke writes..."so hear these songs with your own ears, and maybe someday, if you're in town, we can go across the street for coffee and swap tales." But after swapping a tale or two with Liedtke, you'll discover there's more to his words - and music - than meets the eye. Liedtke is a native Oregonian who says he fell in love with the piano the first time he sat down at one when he was in seventh grade. He never, however, received formal training ("I only had the money for three lessons"), but it didn't stop him from pursuing his dreams, including the production of his latest CD, "Longing." The mostly instrumental recording has 14 tracks, but comes across more like one, long piece, woven together with the same haunting emotions and musical improvisation that seem the inspiration for Liedtke's work. "Longing" is actually Liedtke's second recording. The first, "Worlds on a Rainy Afternoon," was released ten years ago and features his solo piano work. A lot has transpired in Liedtke's life since then... Liedtke has diabetic retinopathy, a condition that usually leads to blindness. His friends encouraged him to record another album, a project Liedtke describes as "part of my healing." But if the recording session provided a way to deal with his vision challenges, it also proves musical inspiration isn't always bound by human limitations. Liedtke, who can't read or write music, sat down and recorded his album after being away from the piano for five years. He wrote all the songs in the studio and says he can't remember now how to play most of them. Not that some of the songs on his recording don't measure up to the kind of compositions that become familiar favorites. Tunes like "Thankful" and "The Day Johnny Learned to Fly" are pleasing and jazzy and provide a polished edge to the almost mystical quality of Liedtke's music. [Cascade Arts & Entertainment}
