top of page
Siobhan McCrudden_Icarus Girl_COVER.jpg
SIOBHAN McCRUDDEN
Icarus Girl
(2018 - Hungersleep Records - UK)

https://siobhanmccrudden.bandcamp.com/releases

With such grand authenticity, this woman created a set of beautiful folk tunes, that reach deep down at the earthy Scottish, and emotional roots of Irish folk music. It comes natural since she was raised by parents, one from each country. With a shepherd's staff the strength of Scotland's brilliant Dougie MacClean (check out 'Following You' - track 2) to the grace of Ireland's Cara Dillon (listen to 'The Forest' track 4). Siobhan writes with a rare elegance. Her voice expresses the lyrics in copious affection.

McCrudden grew up in London and  was exposed to early folk acts like Pentangle, Fairport Convention, and plenty of older traditional material. She has those roots but brings a few modern brooding artists in the ring, with occasional darkness as subject matter. The title cut 'Icarus Girl' (track 7) has a slight country flair, with gorgeous orchestration, and haunting steel guitar. A tip top set of musicians aid in the realization of the album including Siobhan McCrudden: vocals, acoustic  guitar/ Grice Peters: electric guitar, acoustic  guitar, keys, string arrangements, drum  treatments and sound design. Vocal  harmonies on tracks 2 & 8)/ Al Swainger: bass, double bass/ Steve Bingham: violin/ Brenda Stewart: viola/ Glen Hawkins: mandolin/ and Jack Lawrence: autoharp. Music and lyrics all by Siobhan McCrudden, superb production by Grice, with mixing and engineering done by Duncan Chave and Grice.  

From unreal violin from Steve Bingham, super tasteful bass by Al Swainger, and a full band's worth of instruments, string arrangements, and support by Grice Peters (who with his wife Maria, own and run the Hungersleep Productions label, which this album is on), the other featured artists who do a wonderful job, Siobhan's music and voice (and acoustic guitar) shines like a beacon for more to come. This 'Icarus Girl' will not melt her wings by the sun on this debut. She will continue to fly free and make another platter of delights, I predict. RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 - 23 - 2019

 
 
AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

© 2023 by Name of Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

 
 
BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
​
​
​
​
Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
drumlee@proton.me
​
This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
​
PayPal ButtonPayPal Button

ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

bottom of page