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EMILY JEAN FLACK_Throwing Shapes_COVER.j
EMILY JEAN FLACK
Throwing Shapes [EP]
(2019 - Cranberry Music Inc - Canada)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fn6GbDoXrc

https://emilyjeanflack.com/

A lilting masterpiece of a premier 5 song EP by Canadian born singer/composer/percussive dancer Emily Jean Flack, that you will not be able to put out of your mind. Just over 22 minutes, in 5 songs, her debut release 'Throwing Shapes' gathers together fanciful music with thick atmosphere from a diversified and wealth of styles and talent, including  world music, pop, folk, and soft ballad. Her voice is pure and constant in expression, as well as vigor. The first cut 'Another Year Gone By' reminds me of the powerful British ballad singer Judie Tzuke (in her early years), and in fact Flack has all those same wonderful qualities. Although she notes inspirations like James Taylor, Adele, Alison Krauss, and Keith Urban, the genre best represented is progressive folk.

Her band is also top notch, bringing notable musicians from the Irish Celtic scene like Brian Finnegan (from Flook- on whistles and flute), Pete Wallace (acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, programming, vocals), Carl Harvey (electric bass), Matt Weir (drums, percussion), Marty Barry (acoustic guitar), James Nash (electric and acoustic guitar), Colm McClean (electric guitar), John McCullough (Hammond organ, keyboards), Conor McCreanor (upright bass), Pete McCauley (piano), Niall McBride (fiddle), and Sean O'Kane (accordion). The musicians play with utmost taste and perfection on the songs. Expert production by Pete Wallace, and mixed by the famous David Bottrill (Peter Gabriel, Eddi Reader, and much more).

 She moved to Ireland as a teen and grew up there, furthered her music education, and recorded this EP in that country. Some may be interested to know that Emily is the daughter of Denise Flack of the band Leahy, which Emily did backup singing and dance with in her youth. It will surprise anyone who has only heard the title cut 'Throwing Shapes' (track 5) with its full on Celtic dance infusion, when the other songs on the EP are such beautifully soaked ballads, that can bring tears to your eyes. Certainly a prized release to wet your appetite and calm any troubles in your life. A florid breath of fresh air. Flack is working on a full length so that will surely be something to keep watch for. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 4 - 27 - 2019

 
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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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