Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Various: Leonardo - The Absolute Man (Original Cast Recording)
Various: Leonardo - The Absolute Man (Original Cast Recording)
ByHere, vocalists such as “Dream Theater’s James LaBrie along with Michelle Young, Robert Berry, Lisa Bouchelle and others, perform under the auspices of Da Vinci’s associates, family and/or apprentices throughout a series of mini-portraitures stitched together. - The proceedings commence with a prologue, featuring orchestrated synths and grandiose overtures, although the rock/opera-like frameworks tend to become superfluous amid the ensemble’s tumultuous discourses, knotty twists, and expeditious turns. Sure, the musicians’ deft expressionism and academic approach to the overall concept should be applauded. However, other than a few enticing melodic choruses, and electro-acoustic interludes many of the sequences and themes fails to sustain long term interest, as the musicians also employ EFX-based harpsichord patches, layered synth treatments, bone-crushing rhythms and digitally altered vocals. Hence, a good portion of this production tends to amble along like a weighty mass treading over choppy waters.
Track Listing
Apparition; Aria For Italy; With Father; Reigns Of Tuscan; Reproach; Mona Lisa; Il Divino; Inundation; Apprentice; First Commission; Mother Of God; This Time, this Way; Inventions; Shaping The Invisible; Introduction To Francois; Heart Of France; Sacrament; End Of A World
Personnel
The Musicians: Trent Gardner; keyboards & trombone: Wayne Gardner; guitar: Jeremy Colson; drums: Patrick Reyes; guitar: Steve Reyes; bass: Joe Franco; drums and orchestral percussion on two tracks: Luis Maldonado; guitar & bass on one track: The Cast (vocals): James LaBrie; Davey Pattison; Michelle Young; Josh Pincus; Lisa Bouchelle; Mike Baker; Trent Gardner; Robert Berry; Chris Shryack; Bret Douglas
Album information
Title: Leonardo - The Absolute Man (Original Cast Recording) | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Magna Carta Records
< Previous
Global Unity
Next >
Meet Duane Eubanks