Without a Word is a fascinating album by composer and keyboard maestro Yuri Volodarsky. He brings together cinematic classical music with progressive rock and jazz. The album begins with Americana-flavored symphonic music that has strong connections to the music of Aaron Copeland.
As the album advances, progressive rock gradually steps in. Part of Volodarsky’s symphonic style reminds me a lot of the great British band The Enid. Later on, Yuri Volodarsky shifts to spectacular ELP-style progressive rock. But that’s not all, Volodarsky also delivers soulful blues piano and electric jazz.
Like other keyboard wizards, Yuri Volodarsky uses an arsenal of keyboard instruments, including piano, electric organ and various synthesizers.
The lineup on Without a Word includes Edward Tsiselsky & the ET Symphony Orchestra; Julian Coryell on guitar; Sergei Shanglerov on guitar; Sergei Terentiev on Rhodes piano; Dmitry Ilugdin on piano; John Flannery on bass; Mark Schulman on drums; and Joel Taylor on drums.
Yuri Volodarsky is a multifaceted artist who has worked as an actor, writer, and a director and producer of film, television, and video. His music projects include long form progressive rock pieces, many songs, soundtracks for movies and television series, music videos and jazz compositions.
Buy Without a Word