BIG RED DRAGON (WILLIAM BLAKE'S VISIONS)

Now this yet again is something totally different from what I normally hear with constant repetition ... nevertheless I learned to like the album after a while due to this special outfit and implementation overall. Variety is the spice of life, you know? So finally William Drake's Red Dragon (great or big? it doesn't matter) came in touch with me for the first time due to Italian singer Sophia Baccini, who is an experienced, frequently demanded artist and has collaborated with diverse RPI bands in her career until now. So inspired by Drake's paintings she has composed a new rock opera, released on Italian label Black Widow Records, which comes like a rather interesting affair.

While comprising lyrics in French, Italian and English language it might not really be surprising that the focus is on the vocal respectively narration presence. Hereby - amongst others - she's supported by Curved Air's Sonja Kristina and Ange's Christian Decamps. Additionally Sophia herself is caring for keyboards/piano and the synth bass, while having a bunch of musicians on her side, also completing a typical band line-up including guitar and drums. Stylistically the fundament is built by some symphonic approach, the flow is really entertaining, nearly unpredictable. In any case I can smell some Bohemian Rhapsody flavour too in between.

Of course the songs come with a classical, theatrical, respectively cinematic flair, which partially sounded unusual to me, less accessible apriori. Well. regularly it's just exactly that what makes me curious after a while, pushes and occasionally becomes an advice in the end to keep at it. Not that proper rocking parts are missing here moreover. And hereby several sections appear as an ear worm really sooner or later, speaking of The Number for example. In order to name some other exceptional album excerpts I would call La Porta Dell Inferno next. The door to the inferno is melancholic, deals with pain, shines with a lovely piano opening, later featuring violin and a fantastic vocal presence which only completely suits while using Italian lyrics, I would say.

Furthermore Cerberus and Just do appear with certain electric guitar solos - something extraordinary in the same way as the vocal presence. Embracing a wide stylistical spectrum Sophia Baccini's new ambitious project includes thirteen differing segments ... eh ... please don't bang, but even Andrea Bocelli fans might be able to connect to this in parts. 'Big Red Dragon' is unique and challenging - definitely recommended when you're keen on a blend of classical and rock themes - 3.5 stars