top of page
Jenny-Sturgeon-The-Living-Mountain_COVER
JENNY STURGEON
The Living Mountain
(2020 - Hudson Records - EU)

https://jennysturgeon.bandcamp.com/album/the-living-mountain

Some artists keep reaching new heights, some start above the clouds, and Jenny Sturgeon has done both. I have had the pleasure of owning and listening to all her physical releases so I speak as witness to her special gift for penning so many wondrous songs, but also for her taste in choosing covers and collaborations over the years.

'The Living Mountain' is respectfully inspired by a book of the same title by Nan Shepherd. The tunes are at once subtle with a trance-like state and rich with an innocent beauty that may get lost in the future if musicians like Jenny do not offer us such works. Most nature book lovers have a type religious experience upon reading the Nan Shepherd book, and I predict the same applies to listeners of Sturgeon's 2nd full length album (this one on Hudson Records). Her earlier recordings are 'Source To Sea'  (EP - 2014), her 2016 debut album 'From the Skein', and 4 song  beauty 'The Wren and The Salt Air' (2017), which was a  commission from the National Trust for Scotland that marked 30 years of Hebridean island St Kilda as a World  Heritage Site for nature. Sturgeon was raised in Aberdeenshire,Scotland and has performed with the band Salt House, collaborated with Ingre Thomson on a audio visual environmental project called 'Northern Flyway' and is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. She also has a degree in ecology. You soon learn that Jenny has been involved with nature for many years.

With a large ensemble to contribute on various compositions, the band is: Jenny Sturgeon (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonium, dulcimer, whistle,  synth, field recordings)/ Grant Anderson (vocals, bass)/ Mairi Campbell (viola, vocals)/ Su-a Lee (cello)/ Jez Riley (French field recordings on tracks 5 and 7)/ Magnus Robb & The Sound Approach (field recordings on track 8)/ and Andy Bell who recorded, mixed and produced the album (also on synth, percussion,  vocals). The listener is invited into a very intimate world and often one that takes you far away from the toxic earth we now trod in. From the start the music has a calm but enchanting feel. Once you get to 'Frost and Snow' (track #5), you are entangled in the magical web.

Never overdone, the arrangements are pristine and production by Andy Bell is spot on. With such a suave voice and playing style, Sturgeon brings about echoes of a more simplistic Joni Mitchell but keeps a firm identity of her own. She has a strong foot in traditional Scottish folk, robust in the skill of haunting airs and  ballads, tunes that force fond memories and thought provoking emotions that will indeed get stirred among the songs. That you can count on, less you be dead. A recording so touching, it prodded this writer to go buy and read the Nan Shepherd book to see more into this vision. I suggest the same to you my kind readers.

Breathe in the majesty of 'The Senses' (track #11) and 'Being' (final cut) with that babbling brook that leaves you with an honest peace. The physical format of CD comes in a beautiful tri-fold digipak with great booklet that contains all the lyrics and some striking art, along with additional information. This album is the one that has reached new heights that were already above the clouds. A TOP CHOICE for 2020 on my list. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 11 - 20 - 2020
​
​
AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

© 2023 by Name of Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

 
 
BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
​
​
​
​
Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
drumlee@proton.me
​
This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
​
Donate with PayPal

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


 

bottom of page