Telergy – Black Swallow
I have already reviewed a few of Telergy’s albums and they are usually very good. Telergy released their fourth album, Black Swallow on July 23, 2020. It is an historic album, detailing the wartime efforts of America’s first African-American pilot and hero, Eugene Bullard’s World War I experiences.
Telergy, is the brainchild of award-winning and Emmy nominated New Hampshire, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Robert McClung.
McClung always enlists a powerful assemblage of musical talent. And Black Swallow continues that progress with members of such famous bands as King Crimson, Iced Earth, Styx, Kansas, Foreigner, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, to name just a few.
Eugene James Bullard, was the first African-American military pilot. His success was achieved during World War I. He began his military career as a member of the French Foreign Legion. He was a member of Les Hirondelles de la Mort, or The Swallows of Death, and that is where the ‘Swallow’ nickname was coined. He fought in many of the famous campaigns of WWI, including some of the fighting on the Somme. He was seriously injured at the Battle of Verdun, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, or the War Cross, from France, the native home of his family.
After recovering, he re-volunteered as an air gunner. It was his aviation record that would bring him acclaim. He will always be remembered as the first African-American military pilot.
The album, Black Swallow, is full of wonderful orchestration and historic perspectives. “Georgia” opens with Bullard’s father and he having a wonderful time together, peacefully walking through nature; only to be interrupted by the nastiness of Old South prejudice, complete with weapons carrying racists with dogs; introducing Eugene to prejudice.
The album is full of dramatic and stirring military and orchestrated musicianship. It is full of emotional power and intensity, to match the subject matter. The narration, and historic perspectives provided throughout the composition will draw you into the life of this hero.
Every moment of this journey is worth the trip and it is a perfect tribute to a man that sacrificed it all for his love of countries, France and the USA.
Please get this album and enjoy its music, while reading the story of all Eugene Bullard was willing to do, to live up to his father’s lofty goals and wishes.
You get a great sampling of music from deep prog through nightclub jazz. The best instrumental album I have heard this year.
Track List
- Georgia – 12:28
- Scene 1 – 1:32
- Chased Pt. 1 – 2:54
- Scene 2 – 0:59
- Infantry – 9:24
- Scene 3 – 0:35
- Take to the Sky – 10:14
- Scene 4 – 0:43
- Marcelle – 3:13
- Scene 5 – 0:36
- Le Grand Duc – 4:12
- Scene 6 – 0:52
- Spy – 6:14
- Scene 7 – 1:02
- All Blood Runs red – 7:39
- Scene 8 – 0:51
- Chased Pt. 2 – 3:03
- Scene 9 – 0:48
- Honor – 3:43
https://www.youtube.com/user/telergymusic
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/telergy/472137010
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=telergy&ref=nb_sb_noss_2