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MICKEY SIMMONDS_The Seven Colours of Emp

MICKEY SIMMONDS

The Seven Colours Of Emptiness

(ARC – 2007 – UK)

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http://www.mickeysimmonds.com/new/

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A second solo by keyboardist Mickey Simmonds (Camel/Fish, and guest on many other albums), presents us with 67:33 minutes of outstanding music he wrote, arranged, produced, played, and sung on. His debut ‘The Shape of Rain’ , originally released in 1996, was tremendous and unforgettable, sending new fans his direction instantly. Several years later his music will call up even more listeners, with this fantastic solo titled ‘The Seven Colours of Emptiness’.

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This has not one, but many songs, that are worth the price alone. Truly an incredible recording of 15 compositions that range from epic Genesis, to grand Enid orchestrations, with diversions of Stackridge and much more. Mickey does a wonderful job on vocals throughout as well. The intro ‘Trip’ is low-key, reminding me of Mike Rutherford’s ‘Smallcreep’s Day’ in atmosphere, with a touch of Pink Floyd. The connected songs move slow but build in exceptional style. Many may feel this sounds like a David Gilmour solo the first few moments, but ‘Arriving’ (track 3) moves away from that with classic Simmonds sound, having a beautiful electronic, then classical display (which will thrill Tony Banks/Steve Hackett/Rick Wakeman fans). ‘Operating’ (track 4) is grandiose with grand piano and strings. I thought I was listening to James Newton Howard (on his glorious ‘Promised Land’ soundtrack) on ‘Brick’ (track 5) . Very opulent with some punches using drums, high level orchestration, and gorgeous Enid-like soaring guitar lead. Breathtaking!

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The music takes you on a trip from calm meadows to tall mountains, to heaven and beyond. ‘News’ (track 6) changes mood with a warm nearly Stackridge folky and jolly piece that is a sweet display of what many dimensions Simmonds shows his audience on this platter. Quickly back to the epic soundtrack and circumstance is ‘Journey’ (track 7) with violin, orchestration, deluxe grand piano, tear jerker ebb and flows, and all the emotional tugging your heart can take. More superb drum punches as good as Kitaro’s The London Symphony Orchestra 2 LP box set of ‘Silk Road Suite’.

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So many textures and change of scenery, masterful arrangements, and magnificent thinking, The skills Simmonds has to compose varied styles, using different tempos, dynamics, and emotional drawstrings, is amazing. He even comes up with what could be classified as a tribal Genesis/Camel sound on the song ‘Feeling’ (track 9). And with the powerful passages , the music is often brought back down to a pastoral gem of angelic strings or melancholy horn section, and perhaps back again. ‘Kids Send Their Love’ (track 10) has such sweet soothing vocals, and a joyous melody, celebrative but sentimental chorus, it all sends warm shivers down your spine.

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From progressive rock, classical, folk, celtic, electronic, plus more, ‘The Seven Colours Of Emptiness’ is a grand ride. ‘Time To Go’ (ending track) leaves you speechless. As great as anything Andrew Latimer ever wrote. It will have tears running down your cheeks. Such a angelic, sleepytime, gleaming, precious gemstone that ends with a few seconds of birds chirping…aaaaah sweet dreams. Mickey Simmonds is now one of my top great thinkers of music compositions. This is his highest achievement thus far. FULLY RECOMMENDED.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson  6 – 16 – 2008

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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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