Samurai of Prog – Beyond the Wardrobe
The Samurai of Prog is back! This time with the release of, Beyond the Wardrobe, an adaptation of music and lyrics for the classic novel of The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis, fame. The album was released on November, 10, 2020.
As usual, the musicians making the music on this wonderful classic prog album include, a who’s who, of modern progressive rock music. Marco Bernard, plays Shuker bass; Kimmo Pörsti, plays drums and percussion; and Steve Unruh, plays violin, flute, sings lead vocals, and plays acoustic and electric guitars.
The Samurai of Prog also includes many composers and featured artists and compositions from: Christian Bideau, Alessandro Di Benedetti, Oliviero Lacagnina, Elisa Montaldo, Ronaldo Rodrigues, Ton Scherpenzeel, Octavio Stampalia, Yuko Tomiyama.
Additional instrumental credits include: Ronaldo Rodrigues, on keyboards; Marek Arnold, on saxophone; Oliviero Lacagnina, on keyboards; Rafael Pacha, on guitars ; Octavio Stampàlia, on keyboards; Alessandro Di Benedetti, on keyboards; Daniel Fäld, on vocals; Carmine Capasso, on electric guitar; Christian Bideau, on keyboards; Pablo Robotti, on electric guitar; Yuko Tomiyama, on keyboards; Marc Papeghin, on French horn, trumpet; Ton Scherpenzeel, on keyboards; and Elisa Montaldo, on keyboards and vocals.
Beyond the Wardrobe is another wonderful production of the Samurai of Prog. Each of their creations include and are enhanced by the brilliant and engaging illustrations and artwork, which encloses the gifts of music inside. The illustrations for, Beyond the Wardrobe, were created by Nele Diel. Kimmo Heikkilä, did the graphic design work.
The Samurai of Prog always produces a lush array of music to support each of its projects. With so much talent, their production is always professional and completely fulfilling of the subjects they interpret. The stories they tell are always epic.
And Beyond the Wardrobe, is especially appreciated. I miss the continuation of the story on film, that began with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, back in 2005. I enjoyed the first three films and was looking forward to the continuation of the story. The story seems tied up between Disney and Netflix right now, but hopefully the future will bring the stories to theaters again, this decade.
While we wait, we have innovative music like the Samurai of Prog to tide us over.
This album is a warm and entertaining version of the story of the Wardrobe and beyond. The lyrics are wonderful, and the music brings back special memories and sounds of Genesis, Jethro Tull, and many other giants of the ‘70s prog era, while at the same time bringing new artists interpretations of the music of this era.
All of the tracks have wonderful instrumentation and highlights, but my favorites were: “Another Time”, “King of Spades”, “Forest Rondo”, “Jester’s Dance”, “Marigold”, “Brandenburg Gate”, and the closer, “Watching the Clouds”.
Please pick up this album up and enjoy its essence. Savor the thought of the stories returning to film soon. Enjoy this gift of music and help carry on the legacy of the wonderful world they envision.
Track List
- Another Time (6:22)
- Dear Amadeus (8:52)
- King of Spades (5:54)
- Forest Rondo (5:50)
- Jester’s Dance (6:47)
- Kabane (7:33)
- Marigold (2:33)
- Brandenburg Gate (4:24)
- Washing the Clouds (7:29)
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