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Anne Niepold
Terrain Vague
(2011 -  Autoprod - Belgium)

 

http://www.anneniepold.be/disco.html

 

Even if you have heard many other musicians play accordion I promise you have never heard anyone play like Anne Niepold. And if you can see her play live, then you’ll have the experience of this being like no other as well. Swinging lamps, a metronome as a guest percussionist, graphical spotlights, bird calls, and even nice voice added as she does a one woman show that both surprises and stuns the audience.

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This Belgian accordionist has total command of her instrument and surpasses the limits as to what music is typically squeezed out of a diatonic accordion. On her “Terrain Vague” release, she brings about additional musicians to give her music yet more colors and variations. The group is Floris de Rycker : theorbe, Nicolas Garnier : oboe, Jo Hermans : bugle, Jérémie Mignotte : flute, Joris Vanvinckenroye : bass, Antonio Paz : vocals, and Stéphane Sanseverino : vocals. Like the duo Anne plays in Duex Accords Diront, on their “Eisherz”, there is great backing of musicians. Jo Hemans plays on both recordings.

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In the 60 minutes of music presented here, there are 14 compositions that range from bright cheerful spry to melancholy, meditative, and haunting pieces and then to some excellent traditional pieces, even a song by J.S. Bach. Many tracks have some unbelievable frisky finger work and all of Anne’s work is done with such feeling and total commitment from the soul. You can clearly hear this and the high attention to detail throughout the recording. The styles she creates are continuously interesting and bring together a disc of undeniable talent, wit, and great taste. I loved the many journeys I was taken on listening to the entire CD each time. I appreciate the many instruments used, and the marvelous way they are used. I heard touches of ZNR in track 6 (‘Löwenzahn’) even though much of it is evocative and even eerie. For lovers of Lars Holmer and the world of exploring accordions, you can’t get any better than this. “Terrain Vague” has plenty of variety, abundant atmosphere, and a deluge of skill. Recommended!!

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson on October 24th, 2012

 

 

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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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