New musicians emerge every day but seldom is their pitch as perfect as J. Michael Wood's. Each note he picks is clear and perfect and, most importantly, appropriate. And when his voice isn't featured, his nimble fingers on the ivories are.

My number one favorite on his album is Workin' On It, which spoke to my heart. All of the themes evoked the title of the album, The Grey Life, speaking of the general uncertainties everyone feels at early midlife. I loved the piano sequences in It Might Please You. The biggest number was the fifth cut, Won't Be Lookin' Back, very jazzy, more instrumental and probably more what Wood envisioned with unlimited resources. In the sixth cut, Sleeping Angel, he sings "most of the luck I've had has been bad" and I'd like to refute that. Knowing Wood's luck as an infant and beyond I can tell you he has been lucky enough to be brought into a very loving extended family and to have found a very loving relationship as an adult.

This is a very pleasing album musically, perfect pitched and ably performed. But moreover, it is a compelling call to those of us who are struggling with what our lives mean, whether we are in our 30s, 50s, or beyond.