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MANDOLIN ORANGE
Live!
[Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater, January 23, 2020]
(2020 - Tiptoe Tiger Records - USA)

LISTEN AND BUY:

https://watchhouse.bandcamp.com/album/austin-city-limits-live-at-the-moody-theater-3

A NICE INTERVIEW IN UK WITH THEM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAefwa5Fj8

Something more than honest, soul searching, deeply moving, and past the point of communicating to the audience, both soaking the listeners with a baptism of rebirth and seventh heaven. On this live performance Mandolin Orange knock it out of the ballpark, giving everyone a taste of their best, with cuts from their very best studio releases (the most recent being 'Tides of A Teardrop', a pinnacle of their skill set so far). A duo from Chapel Hill North Carolina, they began in 2009. Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Marlin (lead vocals) and violinist/guitarist Emily Frantz (shares both lead vocals and backup) prove themselves to be extraordinary at not only composing and performing standout songs, but also being able to communicate with the everyday person, the fans who truly love music, and dismiss the gabber from the industrial machine that often digests acts before they get past the first album.

The moment I heard this band, I instantly recognized their relaxed state, the absolute authentic quality of the two front members. With a confirmed confidence, they go through a nice catalog of tunes with velvet-like proficiency. Not a trace of nerves or doubt is detected, not one weak note, nothing but sweet surrender to the audience's delight. The band is capable of mixtures that bring esoteric touches to their country, folk, and bluegrass rooted output, thus revealing a calm and warm sound which is so enticing to the fans. The act is the victor, yet the fan feels like the real winner.  

Breaking news is that the band has changed their name to Watchhouse. I am not sure why as I loved the Mandolin Orange name, but the link provided gives info to buy and listen. All songs written by Andrew Marlin (who also has several solo albums out) and the live band here is Andrew Marlin - mandolin, acoustic guitar, vocal/ Emily Frantz - acoustic guitar, fiddle, vocal/ Josh Oliver - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocal/ Clint Mullican - bass/ Joe Westerlund - drums, percussion/ and Kate Rhudy - fiddle on 'Hawk is a Mule', background vocals on 'Into the Sun'. The members, as you will hear for yourselves, are premium players. They tell the story of how they came about releasing a live album, and no doubt, they understand the true reasons they exist and how they effect the fans who come to see them play. It is that intersection in which all the rewards are realized, the efforts are worth it, and the reality of how their music moves people in a live situation. The band being furnished proof of how this interaction not only occurs, but how important it is.

When a person goes to see a live performance of this band (Watchhouse, formerly Mandolin Orange) they bring their ears from the studio albums, to a place where the vibes are electric and not only swarming, but fully charged with magnetic energy. More so than the typical live performance. Thus, the unusual quality of the many compositions. Great story telling, dedicated artists, full of good feel music, with added tenderness and some moments that swoop in with gentleness and melts your heart. Like a best friend, they comfort you, entertain you, and respect the fan. A lovable and unforgettable live release. You will not find a more humble live act, so worthy of praise, so worth your time, and so notable.

   ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 4  - 18 - 2021
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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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