Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Clearlight: Impressionist Symphony
Clearlight: Impressionist Symphony
ByVerdeaux's classical artistry emits a prismatic aura, and as you get deeper into the programlargely consisting of flourishing symphonic worksa consortium of striking melodies blossom. Malherbe's flute work on "Time is Monet," rides above strings, synths and Craig Fry's regal violin phrasings, propelled with a blast of fresh air that signals the wit and whimsy of Britain's fabled 1970s Canterbury scene. Moreover, the band reshapes the momentum into a warmhearted environ, hued with a stunning melody propagated by Verdeaux's cascading notes. But the following piece "Pissarro King," casts a conspicuous deviation amid Hillage's resonating licks and a pulsating rock groove, dappled by Blake's spurting synth lines. Other works contain overlapping electronics effects, eddying thematic developments, thriving prog-classical buildups and memorable hooks. Hence, Verdeaux's translucent unification of classical music and rock is a gratifying listening experience, augmented with harmonious accord and the artists' scintillating interplay.
Track Listing
Renoir En Couleur; Time Is Monet; Pissarro King; Degas De La Marine; Van Gogh 3rd Ear; Gauguin Dans L’Autre; Lautrec Too Loose; Monet Time Duet.
Personnel
Cyrille Verdeaux: piano, synthesizers; Didier Malherbe: wind instruments; Craig Fry: violin; Vincent Thomas Penny: guitars; Paul Sears: drums, percussion; Linda Cushma: bass; Chris Kovacks: synthesizers; Remy Tran: synthesizers; Steve Hillage: guitars; Tim Blake: XILs synth, Theremin; Neil Bettencourt: drums; Don Falcone: tubular bells; Christophe Kovax: lead synthesizer; Remy Tran: cosmic synthesizer.
Album information
Title: Impressionist Symphony | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Gonzo Multimedia
< Previous
Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center