QUASIMODO

To dare undertake the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's seminal novel "notre Dame de Paris" is a challenge that only a supreme talent like Elisa Wiermann (yes, she is a she!) can pull off with such utter brilliance. Incorporating outright classical themes, baroque settings and typical progressive musicianship, Miss Wiermann weaves a sonic tapestry destined to unhinge the jaded fan , using a vast arsenal of keyboards (church organ, the sadly underused in prog harpsichord, the ubiquitous Mellotron and a battery of synths), aided and abetted by some fine sidemen on acoustic and electric guitars , a resolutely pounding bass , some busy percussives and in support of the more overt medieval sections, recorders and krumhorns a la Gryphon. The album is sent immediatly into an aural orbit with a roman arena like fanfare, with sampled trumpets beckoning the listener into a maelstrom of exquisite sounds, all culminating with a final 39 minute title track suite . The band excels in expressing the spirit behind the tragic hunchbac's existence the music being both solemn (gregorian chants) and touchingly human. Words are hard to descibe the joy expressed by this CD , so go out and get a copy , even if you have to swim all the way to Rio. The outcome is worth it! 4 church belles