Italy's Francesco Gazzara has been a film and TV composer since the late 90's. He has composed soundtracks for well known Italian movie directors, scored many RAI Cinema documentary TV productions and also composed jingles for Jeep, Sky, Di Saronno, MTV. Some of his compositions have been extensively used in HBO's series Sex And The City. With such a fine pedigree in the soundtrack world it is no wonder that this album, while billed as a Progressive Rock album still feels and sound like it could be a soundtrack. Fear not, though, progressive rock fans, as there is much to enjoy and appreciate here, particularly if you are a fan of Bo Hansson or some of the more “environmental” Rick Wakeman albums. After the choral introduction of Misericordiae the following eleven tracks are named after some of the locations of this ancient route that runs between Southampton and Canterbury in the South of England. Much like the premise of the album, a journey, some of the tracks seem to meander along with very little variation, while others are busy and almost frenetic in their energy. As I said, this album uses Gazzara's background in soundtracks to draw some fantastic musical images. The best tracks are Bramber, which features an early Genesis-like feel to it; Boreham Street, with its changing moods reminiscent of Triumvirat; and the final track, Canterbury which, appropriately enough evokes feelings of some of the best of the early 70's Canterbury Scene. Overall, a very good album with fantastic musicianship at the hands of seven passionate musicians playing a total of 22 different instruments (mostly Gazzara himself). *** David Carswell Where to buy? |
