by Carol WrightThese original piano solos by Robin Spielberg take their inspiration from events, places, or qualities in her life: the playful poltergeists in the house where she grew up, the scary hopefulness of her immigrant grandmother who set sail for American, a town tragedy, the playfulness of kittens, and late-night's silence beyond silence. As a popular pianist, Spielberg has one of the best set of hands going. Her touch is perfect, sometimes velvety, sometimes sparkling, with plenty of presence but never forceful, exquisite phrasing, responsive piano (a Steinway), and crystal clear recording. Spielberg and her piano seem to fill the living room. She's on "dangerous" ground, musically; her compositions are not technically complex, so every note, intention, and execution must be right on -- and they are. Spielberg plays a stellar collection of pieces on Songs of the Spirit; a few are chipper, but most express intimate emotional edges that will move memories in the listener. This is the sort of album you put on as background music, but then find yourself lost in thought staring into the depths of a long-cold cup of coffee. "Late Night," the final piece, seems to go on even after the CD has ended.