This, the third release from Christian Vander's AKT label, is a recording made of an open air concert that was performed in September 1992 in Reims to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America (Thanks a bunch Chris!) Christian Vander who narrates throughout composed the music.
The
first track, entitled 'La Ville De Palos' starts off appropriately enough with
lapping water and ships horns interspersed with loud keyboard drones but this
soon gives way to the main theme which goes by the title 'La Marche Celeste'
although this isn't credited on the sleeve notes as such. It is a rousing piece
that I have heard being likened to a "German beer drinking song".
'Voyages en la mer océane' paints a musical picture of the various elemental forces encountered by Columbus on his journey, building to a dramatic climax as a storm strikes. The calm of the storm being musically depicted by the first few bars from the beginning of 'Eliphas Levi' on the 'Merci' album.
Tracks three and four (L'utopie' and 'L'orage mystique') remind me very much of Rick Wakeman's 'Journey to the centre of the earth' and also 'Revelations' period Jean-Michel Jarre, with their mix of quiet piano passages and narrative and loud, brash synth pieces.
Unfortunately my comprehension of the French language has suffered through lack of use and so a lot of the story remains a mystery to me, but on the whole, this is a very enjoyable and listenable CD. Especially recommended to fans of the "Concept" album school of music.
Jim Ross 1993
(Ehn:- Ahhh, yes at last we agree Jim .. Sève qui peut! Sève qui peut)
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