Alejandro Clavijo - reviewsnewage.com November 12, 2011
For some time we knew nothing of pianist Doug Hammer and now, four years later, he surprises us with a double album that catches listeners with its variety of styles, technique and quality in every sense of the word. Travels is a double CD, presented in digipak format, with great design and surrounded by about forty small personal stories. The first CD describes places and landscapes that captivated the pianist and the second CD contains twenty totally improvised pieces... MORE
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com
November 8, 2011 Travels is an incredible two-disc solo piano release by Doug Hammer. With a total of thirty-nine original compositions, it is amazing that there is no filler on either disc. Disc 1 is a collection of nineteen "composed" pieces written over the course of several years, and Disc 2 contains twenty improvisations that were "written" and recorded in one take. Disc 2 is subtitled "Detour" because it arrived unexpectedly while working on Travels... MORE
Marius-Christian Burcea - RFI Romania I rarely write reviews for solo piano CDs, but this one is special. I can wholeheartedly say that "Travels", the new album by Doug Hammer, sounds beautiful and sometimes even superb. The variety of styles is impressive, each of the 39 tracks possessing its own characters, space and moods. Under his fingers, the piano became an instrument of emotional colors, poetry and countless nuances, intimate yet ready to explode and be heroic. The elegant musical discourse develops with lofty amplitude, and sensitively graded ups and downs, sometimes whispering the tones with lyric delicacy, other times reaching dramatic peaks through passionate timbres.
This is a wonderful engaging album, full of options for a great listening experience. Its wide range of melodic and rhythmic approaches unfolds a rare tapestry of virtuosity and delight.
Marie Michaels - Music Beyond Words, Denver, CO The best part is that I pop it into my car and find another cut that I like ...the reviews are correct, it is great from start to finish.
Brian
It really does feel like a journey. Each and every song brings something different to the table and I love it. There are times when I hear roots of Solace in there as well which I love. I have to say my favorite song is "The Turn of Time"! The piano mood just speaks to me in a way that is hard to put into words. Keep up the good work and thanks for great music.
David Amazing album. Turn of Time is my favorite. Every song on this album has such a relaxing sense about it with flowing melodies and beautiful sounds.
Apple Coder
There are many out there that play piano, I am one of them, but when someone comes along like Doug Hammer and makes this composer listen to every track in its entirety over and over, there is something special here.
Stephen
Doug has an amazing penetrating style and in moments you feel the truth of heart in his inspiring works. His range and subtle comprehension of the many genres of music allow him to add colorful and broad dimensions to his pieces. I am drawn in. I am undone!
Amethyste
Is it Christmas already? It feels like it is, because Doug Hammer has just spoiled us not only with a new release, but TWO!!! Double the pleasure, double the fun, double the tears, double the time I spent in my own mind putting Doug Hammer's music to what I have lived in my life. The tile "Travels" really is the perfect word for this Album. It does bring you on a wonderful excursion of feelings, life happenings and leave you with a sentiment of hope for another tomorrow filled with excitement and wonders. Doug's playing is beyond worldly. I cannot describe in words what it is, but it is from a divine world that I have been able to experience by listening to his beautiful creations. This CD is a MUST have for anyone who wants to experience what it is to "fly free". Doug Hammer's "Travels" takes you on a wonderful journey. Trust me, I know you'll be glad you did!!
Gunnar After 4 long years, Doug finally presents his brand new double album "Travels" that is extraordinary in many ways. Travels sure is a cinematic, musical mind movie full of pure experience, feelings and emotion, that have stunned me by their perfection. Right after the first song started playing I saw memories of my own life in front of me (growing up, falling in love, dealing with hardships, etc). I don't know a whole lot of artists that can do something like this. Doug's music goes straight to your heart and touches you deeply. My favorites so far are: Outbound Train, Maine Morning, In Memory and the gorgeous title track "Travels". The tip-toe between a perfect production (crystal clear piano sound) and emotional, heartfelt music is put into scene ideally - and very successfully! The beautiful and unique CD package with added texts by Doug, complete the picture of a wonderful, timeless production. Let's hope that we don't have to wait too long to see what Doug will do next.
Noël
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com
November 8, 2008 Doug Hammer has released three CDs in close succession this year, one of which is a wonderful mostly solo piano Christmas album simply titled “Noel” (reviews of the other two CDs will be coming soon!). Hammer has arranged sixteen Christmas carols and songs from around the world and added one of his own originals to make a beautiful CD ... MORE
Richard Bank - christmasreviews.com November 27, 2008
The wistful mood of Doug Hammer's Noël is what hooks me into it. Contemporary piano often seems relegated to piano bars and cavernous mall food courts, perhaps because those are the two places where people are at their most wistful themselves, but it seems a shame to leave such evocative and imaginative music to languish at the mall ... MORE
Baby Music 1
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com November 11, 2008
“Baby Music 1” is a 78-minute solo piano improvisation composed and recorded in 2003 for the birth of Doug Hammer’s first child, Noah. Hammer released this very personal recording because the music is soothing and relaxing for not only babies, but for everyone... MORE
Baby Music 2
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com
November 13, 2008 Like “Baby Music 1,” “Baby Music 2” is a 78-minute stream-of-consciousness solo piano improvisation, this time composed and recorded for the birth of Doug Hammer’s second son, Nathan. Recorded in one take in 2005 and intended as an instrumental lullaby, this album is incredibly relaxing and soothing for people of any age ...MORE
Solace
Alejandro Clavijo - reviewsnewage.com May 13, 2010
"Solace" is the debut album from composer, producer and pianist Doug Hammer. Sixteen delicate compositions make up this album, which creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for achieving the inspiration for reading, studying, walking .... Ideal for any time of day when peace is sought. An album recorded in his own studio, Dreamworld Productions & Design, in Boston, it has been the perfect culmination of a lifetime after harvesting a valuable musical experience as producer, arranger, creator of TV and radio jingles, etc.. MORE
Bill Binkelman - Zone Music Reporter
February 10, 2009
Pianist Doug Hammer's debut CD, Solace, is pretty inside and out. The cover art is easily one of the more striking images I've seen in the past year (nice font and layout too, which are not always givens for independent releases) and the music inside is a charming and well-performed mixture of dramatic passionate numbers and more sedate impressionistic pieces. What's equally impressive is that Hammer produced, engineered and apparently even mastered the disc himself. Well done, I have to admit ... MORE
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com January 28, 2008 “Solace” is Doug Hammer’s first solo piano CD, and a beautiful beginning it is! Hammer started playing the piano at the age of three and started lessons at six, going on to graduate from the Berklee School of Music. Hammer has his own production studio near Boston called Dreamworld Productions and Design, and has worked with many musicians as well as the media with commercial jingles, voiceovers, and film and video scores. Many years in the making, “Solace” is the first of several solo piano CDs in the works, and is clearly the work of an accomplished composer and musician ...MORE
Maeve
Those who know the work of this fine bandleader and vocal accompanist are knocked out to hear what the man has to say in his own voicings. The listener is drawn in gently and then lifted on Doug's musical journey, which seems as philosophical as it is emotive. These compositions and their execution,come from the place where his personal authenticity connects with his mastery of the instrument. These are lovely,soulful compositions full of the hands telling.
Baby Music 2 
Solace
