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AMY DENIO

The Big Embrace

(2017 – SPOOT – USA)

http://amydenio.com/

One more (her 10th solo) totally and almost indescribable soul shaking recording by this ever talented, brilliant thinker, composer, musician, producer, organizer, world traveler, artist, and all around pleasant person. I began my musical journey with Amy Denio in the early 1990’s with her duo based (but they did add other members) Tone Dogs with bassist Fred Chalenor (Note: it was a delight to see a reunion of them at 2013 SeaProg). They played a low core, somewhat sparse, quizzical folk injected pop with avant-jazz explorations. Again, hard to describe, but something very new to the ears of the progressive music scene. Multitudes of projects, giant leaps of chance, and many recordings later, Amy gives the world another dazzling display of sixteen songs that defy a short description of any sort. Her multi-level incredible creativity and endless source of gifted reception is simply unheard of. And I ask where does she get all this energy?

Amongst the sixteen cuts on ‘The Big Embrace’ many are deep and often beautiful, some homages of sorts, and you will never forget the exotic pieces of song in both avant-garde spirit and theater, with varied amounts of comical and lyrical play. An attempt to reference the disc is extremely tough. Dream of a mix of superior people like Laurie Anderson, Amy X Neuburg, Noa, Zap Mama, and if allowed to roam free, soulful singers like Annie Lennox and K.D. Lang (as far as vocals go). Music wise, it is difficult to pin down, but Amy lists Yma Sumac, Tune Yards, Snakefinger, Joni Mitchell, Carla Kihlsted, and Morricone as what it sounds like.

Although ‘The Big Embrace’ begins with a superlative eastern themed work called ‘L’Abbraccione’, things change by the moment and the story telling concept sweeps the listener with shifting degrees of emotions, puzzles, and reality. ‘Donald The Lump’ (track 12) is the closest thing to Tone Dogs in sound, which takes a hard look at one of the most untruthful and unbalanced American presidents ever (add Nixon to that list). It features some actual quotes by this mad man. Another tune (track 16) ‘I Love This Cunterie’ picks up more quotes from him. Those are the more radical/sad/comical songs, as the rest of the release is filled with avant exotica and cool pop, the way only Amy can compose and perform.

This mature listening display is without doubt, the hercules of music creativity and importance. A knockout to say the least! Amy plays a huge array of instruments on this 6 panel digi pak CD, including bass, percussion (frame drum/glockenspiel/cardboard box/stapler/clapping), guitar, clarinet, alto sax, accordion, field recordings and voice. She has other musicians on some cuts such as Ahmad Reza Yousefbeigi (percussion), Elizabeth Lawrence (voice, percussion), Peter Comley (samples and sounds), Jesse Manno (saz, voice), Hahn Rowe (viola), David Dorfman (keyboard), Tobias Ralph (drums), and Berin Tuzlic (drums). Amy composed and produced the entire unbelievable recording. She is unstoppable.  SUPREMELY RECOMMENDED.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 12 – 9 – 2017

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A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest




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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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