SYMPHONY II

Clearlight

Symphonic Prog

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bob x

This 1990 release is one long piece really,but is listed on the lp as several cuts or movements.Features ex GONG members STEVE HILLAGE and TIM BLAKE,but don't expect a GONG clone,because it is not! Much more in the line of MIKE OLDFIELD ( circa TUBULAR BELLS era). This is spaceyer and more low key. Symphonic soudscapes with a good deal of real musical structure. I like this, but not as much as most GONG and STEVE HILLAGE solo releases. But if you are a fan of melodic symphonic music,this may very well be a good listening experience for you.

Report this review (#1489)
Posted Sunday, November 21, 2004 | Review Permalink

hdfisch
PROG REVIEWER

In 1990 Cyrille Verdeaux continued the main theme of CS and created CS II using synthesizers, a computer and digital recording techniques. Honestly I'm usually not a huge fan of digital keyboard sounds but I've to say that this album is a very positive exception of this rule. In fact there arn't exclusively synth sounds on here but as well some excellent electric guitar by Richard Prezelin and apart from electronic kb tunes which sound throughout very tasteful and not cheesy at all Verdeaux used also some analogue ones like piano or Mellotron. This work is certainly not to be compared with Rick Wakeman's pseudo-classical and romantic renditions done in the 80's and much more enjoyable than those ones. Fifth movement actually must be identical (if I remember correctly) with part one of CS I with Steve Hillage and Didier Malherbe. Although I still prefer their later release "Infinite Symphony" with more "real" instruments included I can say that CS II should be considered an excellent supplement to their debut album. I'd read on their website that there's a double cd available where both symphonies are combined and I think that one would be a worthy purchase for anyone who doesn't own CS yet. I wouldn't hesitate to rate this excellent work with 4 stars!

Report this review (#105138)
Posted Monday, January 1, 2007 | Review Permalink

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