On May 7, 2021, The Samurai of Prog released their most recent production, The Lion and the Lady. All of their albums are full of wonderful music and stories of old. They love to bring back tales from literature or fables of old, to life with music and it is a wonderful gift to the world. This time they focus on one of the famous Grimm Tales.
The Samurai of Prog is made up of Marco Bernard, on basses, Kimmo Pörsti, on drums and percussion, and Steve Unruh, on vocals, violins, flute, and guitars. The other gift the Samurai brings to each work of art is the many wonderful musical guests that play key roles on their creations. On The Lion and the Lady, the guests include: David Myers, on grand piano; Octavio Stampàlia, Alessandro Di Benedetti, Ton Scherpenzeel, and Jaime Rosas, on keyboards; Carmine Capasso, Cam Blokland, Kari Riihimaki, and Rafael Pacha, on guitar; Valerie Gracious, Marcelo Ezcurra, and Bart Schwertmann, on vocals; and Marc Papeghin, on French horn and trumpet.
All of the songs are full of great music and storytelling. The flute and Hackett-like guitar that opens “Into the Woods” is a wonderful welcome. So is the narration, “Once upon a time”.
The violin and strings on “The Three Snake Leaves”, at the opening kindles warm feelings. Then progressive keyboards and Steve Unruh’s flute take the stage and steal the show. All of the intricate guitar-work that ensues throughout this over 9-minute masterpiece is golden.
“Iron John”, opens with cool, Tony Banks-like keyboards, bass and flute. It is a surging and relentlessly dynamic instrumental, bringing all the musicians together to celebrate this song, including a wonderful acoustic ending with flute and strings.
“A Queen’s Wish”, is a celebration of the story of the Queen, played and sung by Valerie Gracious, of Phideaux Xavior fame. Her voice is beautiful, with just enough of that Kate Bush elegance. The story of “Snow White”, unfolds with profound music.
“The Lady and the Lion”, opens full of dancing piano and cinema-scapes of Disney musicals.
“Blue Light”, is full of a male chorus at the opening. Then wonderful acoustic guitar and flute. The story reaches conclusion with more great progressive music and storytelling.
This is another wonderful album of storytelling and musical expertise. Progressive rock that brings these ancient stories to life for new generations and allows us to appreciate them with our age and wisdom to guide us. Thank you to the Samurai of Prog for their continued series of making literature accessible to generations old and new, through glorious music performed by the best artists in modern prog.
Album released by Seacrest Oy.
Tracks Listing
1. Into the Woods (3:07)
2. The Three Snake Leaves (9:43)
3. Iron John (5:58)
4. A Queen’s Wish (11:36)
5. The Lady and the Lion (3:59)
6. Blue Light (6:48)
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