MIMI'S MAGIC MOMENT

Lush, varied, mature, subtle, powerful... This is Salem Hill's "Magic Moment" indeed - their greatest album to date. Surely this is a pinnacle from which they can climb no higher! Or is it? I can't wait to find out. 5 stars.

Ever since their debut way back in 1992, Salem Hill's albums have successively reached greater heights and "Mimi's Magic Moment" is no exception. As a matter of fact, it is a milestone album for the band. The transformation from neo-prog band to symphonic prog band is now complete.

A familiar master violinist appears as "special guest" on two of the album's four songs, a serendipitous happening that has become so frequent that one could be forgiven for starting to feel as though Ragsdale is an honorary member of the band!

Neal Morse makes a guest vocal appearance, as does accomplished CProgRock veteran Randy George (Ajalon, Neal Morse Band) on bass guitar and keyboard wizard Fred Schendel (Glass Hammer) on piano.