Dave McKenna - A Handful Of Stars (1993)

A whole album of star songs and at that, it is a strictly instrumental, solo piano album recorded at Berkeley’s famous Maybeck Recital Hall. But unlike McKenna’s previous outings there, this one isn’t “live” for an audience. It’s McKenna alone with a grand piano, musing just for himself and the recording crew, going for a perfect sound in the most intimate of settings. But then, McKenna has already been featured on two ”Live At Maybeck” albums, his solo concert was the second in the series, and his duo album with his favorite guitarist, Gray Sargent, was the second in the new “Concord Duo” series.
Coming up with an album of star songs began as just a thought. Such thematic device are a part of McKenna’s approach to music making, a way to put together songs he loves without resorting to overdone or obvious themes.