Clearlight is a name that will be known to all lovers
of progressive, Canterbury or electronic music dating from the
'seventies, "Clearlight Symphony" being a classic of its kind. Featuring
legendary musician Cyrille Verdeaux, a new album, "Impressionist
Symphony" is much
to
be welcomed. And there are some fabulous guests - Steve Hillage and
Didier Malherbe of Gong (the latter's sax is at once recognisable!),
also Don Falcone and synth wizard Tim Blake. The music is progressive in
the best way: varied, symphonic, with lots of great solo performances.
'Renoir En Couleur' runs through a vast array of styles, with Hillage
and Malherbe keeping it all together. Fantastic track, somehow both old
and new in tone and texture. 'Time Is Monet' (oh dear) is similar in
timbre. but with more violin and less of a rock feel. 'Pissarro King'
features Ozrics-style bubbles and another superb contribution from
Hillage, who really is on form with this album. 'Degas De La Marine' is a
weird mixture of full orchestra and synths, but 'Van Gogh 3rd Ear' is a
delightful synth-infused jazz number. Terrific. 'Gaugin Dans L'Autre'
is almost a microcosm of the whole album with its many shifting moods,
while 'Lautrec Too Loose' (another oh dear) returns the listener to rock
sounds and much piano soloing. Album closer 'Monet Time' is essentially
Verdeaux on his own at the piano, with violin accompaniment courtesy
Craig Fry. A beautiful ending to an extraordinary album. Anybody into
progressive rock, Gong, Hillage or anyone of their ilk simply has to
listen to this!
to
be welcomed. And there are some fabulous guests - Steve Hillage and
Didier Malherbe of Gong (the latter's sax is at once recognisable!),
also Don Falcone and synth wizard Tim Blake. The music is progressive in
the best way: varied, symphonic, with lots of great solo performances.
'Renoir En Couleur' runs through a vast array of styles, with Hillage
and Malherbe keeping it all together. Fantastic track, somehow both old
and new in tone and texture. 'Time Is Monet' (oh dear) is similar in
timbre. but with more violin and less of a rock feel. 'Pissarro King'
features Ozrics-style bubbles and another superb contribution from
Hillage, who really is on form with this album. 'Degas De La Marine' is a
weird mixture of full orchestra and synths, but 'Van Gogh 3rd Ear' is a
delightful synth-infused jazz number. Terrific. 'Gaugin Dans L'Autre'
is almost a microcosm of the whole album with its many shifting moods,
while 'Lautrec Too Loose' (another oh dear) returns the listener to rock
sounds and much piano soloing. Album closer 'Monet Time' is essentially
Verdeaux on his own at the piano, with violin accompaniment courtesy
Craig Fry. A beautiful ending to an extraordinary album. Anybody into
progressive rock, Gong, Hillage or anyone of their ilk simply has to
listen to this!
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
| Les Contes Du Singe Fou CD - £9.99 |
 | Tribal Hybrid Concept CD - £9.99 |
 | Forever Blowing Bubbles CD - £9.99 |
 | Impressionist Symphony CD - £9.99 |
 | Clearlight Symphony CD - £9.99 |
 | Best Of Clearlight CD - £9.99 |
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