THE MOON IS A DRY BONE

In these precarious days, it's reassuring that accomplished professionals continue to prioritize art over glory, cooperation over isolation, and authenticity over spuriousness. When a besieged Italy is the source, it is all the more heartening. But could we have expected less from Riccardo Prencipe's long lived project CORDE OBLIQUE?

"The Moon is a Dry Bone" is CORDE OBLIQUE's 7th album of previously unreleased material after a rare 4 year interval marked only by stopgaps "I Maestri Del Colore" Vol 2 EP and "Back Through the Liquid Mirror", the latter a live in the studio rerecording of earlier favourites. Prencipe gained momentum in his balancing of classical, folk and pop sensibilities until it peaked on "A Hail of Bitter Almonds" in 2011, after which he nurtured his inner introvert for 2 offerings. This retreat was profound on "I Maestri Del Colore" in which voiceless introspection asserted itself as much as it ever does. While the transformation was diffidently courageous, it also initiated the inevitable speculations about what the matrimony of the various CORDE OBLIQUEs might sound like, perhaps bolstered with a bit more of a rock edge, forged tastefully of course. Thankfully, Prencipe has indulged us yet again.

Surrounding himself with past, present and future collaborators, Prencipe has returned to his earlier blend of ethereal folk, augmenting the workload of stalwart vocalist Caterina Pontrandolfo's for the type of classical-folk pieces in which the group excels. These include "La Grandi Anime", "Il figlio dei Vergini", and the accordion sated "Herculaneum". He has also included two related and haunting instrumentals to initiate and send off the performance, proximal to what we have enjoyed before but with a little more electrification. Collaborations continue with kindred spirits like IRFAN on the Eastern Euro-tinged "Le torri di Maddaloni" and ASHRAM on aforementioned "Il Figlio" and impart a welcome familiar quality to the proceedings.

Luckily, as hinted above, this is far from a rehash of bygone successes. First, an infusion of a traditional rhythm section lends a new-ish rock aspect to "The Moon". Second, masculine voice has returned after too long an absence and Prencipe has called upon two notable performers for a couple of the brassiest and accomplished numbers here, the consummate ballad "La Strada" graced by ANDREA CHIMENTI, and the split personality "Il Terzo Suono" offered with sensitivity and panache by former new wave singer MIRO SASSOLINI which morphs from acoustic ballad to breathlessly paced rocker without apology and is over far too soon. Finally, newcomer Rita Saviano wrests the microphone for the bizarre screech fest of a title cut that is at the very least a head turner, and on a resplendent cover of ANATHEMA's "Temporary Peace. The enlisting of famed stage actress Maddalena Crippa merges music and performance art like only CORDE OBLIQUE can.

"the Moon is a Dry Bone" is that rare release that navigates to fecund new soundscapes AND persuades long term fans to climb aboard. Highly recommended!