Everyone who will take the time to unfold the beautiful package of Troy Donockley’s third solo album will be rewarded with something special. When you listen to The Madness Of Crowds you hear very emotional and non-commercial music created by a sincere multi-instrumentalist. The list of instruments Troy plays is impressive: uilleann pipes, low and high whistles, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bouzouki, mandolin and percussion. Several guest musicians, who worked with him in the past, helped Troy to create an album of a very high quality level with no weak spots at all. Troy Donockley asked some well-known musicians to play on his album like drummer and violinist Frank van Essen (Iona), singers Joanne Hogg (Iona), Nick Holland, Barbara Dickson and Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn), cellist Rosie Biss and bassist Brad Lang and a number of musicians who play harp, oboe, clarinet, flute and bassoon. If you like composers as Vaughan Williams, Ennio Morricone, Mike Oldfield and Bill Whelan it’s easy to enjoy the musical journey of The Madness Of Crowds. These composers sometimes made the same kind of orchestral symphonic music often used as a soundtrack for a movie. The music written by Troy Donockley also gives you the feeling that you’re watching a movie, but without the images. Of course, this record has a relation to Troy’s previous releases as well. On his album The Unseen Stream, he also blended orchestral and traditional music. His latest release is without doubt his most colourful album to date and therefore it is most likely his best work so far. Those who like movie scores, his former band Iona and the music made by the above-mentioned names will surely enjoy this fine piece of art. **** Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) Where to buy? |
