The Beauty is the Beast (2012)
Italian band Syndone has released undoubtedly one of the finest progressive rock albums of the year. La Bella è la Bestia (The Beauty is the Beast) is a concept album inspired by the Beauty and the Beast, an original work by Madame Leprince de Beaumont written in 1756.
The current configuration of Syndone includes founder and composer Nik Comoglio on keyboards, songwriter Riccardo Ruggeri on vocals; and Francesco Pinetti on marimba, vibraphone, and percussion. The Beauty is the Beast brings together the best of progressive rock and the rich Italian musical tradition.
Nik Comoglio is a keyboard virtuoso who uses a wide range of keyboards, from vivid piano and the majestic pipe organ of San Lorenzo (St. Lorenz Church) in Ivrea to vintage electric organs and Minimoog. Comoglio is a master at creating quickly changing atmospheres and spectacular synthesizer solos, combining classical, jazz fusion and progressive rock techniques with admirable ease.
If there was category called Best Progressive Rock Vocal performance, Riccardo Ruggeri would be a prime candidate for the 2012 edition. He morphs his vocals and expressions throughout the album, playing five different characters of this captivating progressive rock opera. He brings powerful drama and emotions to Belle, Father, The Beast, Narrator, and The Rose, with his passionate and outstanding vocal performance.
Francesco Pinetti adds an extremely valuable component to the mix with his tasteful and rich variety of percussive sounds, including mesmerizing vibraphone work.
The studio recording also includes special guest Ray Thomas, co-founder of The Moody Blues, on flute; Pino Li Trenta on drums; Federico Marchesano on bass; Umberto Clerici on cello; Heike Schuch on cello; Paola Perardi on cello; Claudia Ravetto on cello; Gomalan Brass Quintet on brass; Paolo Porta on alto sax; Marco Tardito on baritone sax; and the Turin Filarmonica Orchestra.
With The Beauty is the Beast, Syndone brings the glory days back to Italian progressive rock. It is an exceptionally good album with first-class keyboard and vocal performances.
Buy The Beauty is the Beast in MP3 format. For CD version in North America, try http://kinesiscd.com or http://synphonic.8m.com/new-arrivals/new-05-2012.htm
Buy the CD in Europe: The Beauty is the Beast