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MARY FAHL
Winter Songs and Carols
(2019 - Rimar Records - USA)

http://maryfahl.com/store/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcSgg9enRSI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HMtsJwnyFk

The title says it clear, an album of winter season tunes and a toss of Christmas carols. The fact that I have never before done a review on a "Christmas" album, and the usual taste for me is the odd and obscure seasonal style record (and that has only been in the last 10 years or so), speaks for the special quality of 'Winter Songs and Carols' by Mary Fahl. If you want a gorgeous release and/or you are already a fan, thrust me you want and need this. 'Urge For Going', with the roaming strings, will have you already melting and preparing to cry a bit, and this is just the second cut on the album. Now you know this is a choice winter wonderland presentation.

For the skeptical, songs by Joni Mitchell ('Urge For Going'), Sandy Denny ('No End'), Leonard Cohen ('Winter Lady') and a variety of classical composers are covered in a supreme way. How else does Mary do it? Fans know her one-of-a-kind voice (from the early days of October Project to her catalog of solos) and along with beautiful warm strings, some piano, occasional guitar, percussion and bass; each piece is sincerely performed, impeccably sung, and given a picturesque atmosphere. Produced by Mark Doyle and presented in a 6 panel digipak beautiful compact disc format, the cover and inside art is perfect.

Even the traditional classic carol like 'What Child Is This' is so far above the norm, it brings a tear. With a sacred and nostalgic reverence, 'Christmas Time Is Here' will have you never thinking the same about that Charlie Brown Christmas selection. She brings about just enough of the happy brightness, yet reserving an honest and fragile way with the tune. Mary's intention was to give the song a 'Gymnopedies' (Satie) feel, verses the usual jazzy piano treatment. Note: an error in the printing of the actual composer is on this first pressing of the CD. The jacket credits track #5 as written by Coots J Fred/Gillespie Haven, but the true composers are Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi. Mary wanted all to know who buy this initial pressing. It was too late to correct due to disc already going to print, but it will be fixed on next printing. (perhaps a collectors item for these first pressings?).

'Ave Maria' (Franz Schubert) is so wonderfully executed, again, enough to make you weep. But then comes 'Walking In The Air' (by Howard David Blake) that could stand next to those gargantuan hits from October Project, or the best of anything from Mary Fahl's solo works. It is HUGE and even if a person hates Christmas or winter songs, THIS is worth the price alone. Not that anyone could possible feel shortchanged from all the other delights on the album. 'No End' (Sandy Denny) is lush with strings and goes another step in elegance. Fahl has a way of giving a special touch to every song she covers. It is a gift, and this album certainly gives. The respect and dignity presented results in both an improvement and exception.

'Winter Songs and Carols' grabs the purity of the Christmas spirit and puts it right back on the mantle, where the stockings are hung, over the glowing fireplace. It takes the arresting and wipes away the distractions in our distorted lives. This gets a place among a chosen few of my Christmas time recordings with much respect. Now all that is missing is some distant jingling of bells in the night. RECOMMENDED, even for Scrooges out there.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  12 - 01 - 2019
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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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