Tausig, Jay: Cancer- Shell of Silver and the Beehive Heart

Jay Tausig's 6th release from the Trip Around the Sun, package of twelve albums released in sequence during 2012, is Cancer: Shell of Silver and the Beehive Heart. This latest release does not have the massive over 20 minute tracks on it, but it is none the less as epic as all of the other five albums.

The first track, "Tidal Transmission", is a cool spoken word poem, by Thom Worldpoet, who almost sounds like John Lennon as he reads this interesting and dreamy poem. The chimes and cosmic/spacey synths sounds mix well with the sounds of oceanic waves to kick off this new journey through the star signs.

"Shell of Silver & the Beehive Heart – Part 1" has a real Ziggy Stardust feel to it. Michael Palschakov's ARP Odyssey synth helps add some wonderful dimension to the sound. Multi –instrumentalist Tausig, cleanly finishes out the excellent heavy lead electric guitar, mixed well with brilliant acoustic. The drumming is excellent and well placed throughout. Imagine Yes mixed well with Ziggy Stardust and you're there. At 13:52 minutes, this is the second longest track on the album. The track really amps up its power with the chants near the final third of the track.

"Slow Crawl" opens with soft but fantastic percussion beats from Hojji Firemaker, gently supported with excellent guitar and echoing vocal rhythms. Just another of the many ways Tausig can create that cool spacey effect without relying only on synths. But the synths are magical and add that eerie calm to the whole sound.

Excellent synths, spacey effects and cool poised electric guitar quietly opens the sequel to track two, "Shell of Silver & the Beehive Heart – Part 2". Then Virginia Tate, takes over with a spoken poem. Later she adds some wonderful flute and vocals to build the longest track on the album at 14:16.

"Moonsong" opens with Rhijenerate Winders poem and spoken word. Later Remy Lindsey provides more words set to Tausig's spacey chorded and keyboard rhythms.

"Of Land and Sea" is another excellent keyboard/synth journey with soft electric guitar weaving its way through. The guitar solos move like waves along the ocean's bottom. At 12:42, it is the third longest track on the album, and one of the best.

"Inner Spaces" is a wonderful instrumental track full of great soft guitar and keys. Hojji Firemaker plays great percussion. Multi – instrumentalist Tausig handles all other instruments.

Devorah Bry, provides great vocals and spoken word poem for "The Wave". Tausig provides more cool spacey keys and guitars.

"Shelter" opens full of more soft electric guitar and percussion. But this time the action changes quickly. The solid electric guitar soloing is simply amazing. It brings to mind Rush and many other bands from the past. But Tausig has the whole album to explore and play guitar and he does that well here. Over ten minutes of guitar and keyboard pleasure.

Hojji Firemaker plays some awesome water drum on the closer "Between the Worlds", as Tausig executes some wonderful dreamy keys and guitar. Like walking through an ancient temple at dusk or first morning light.

This is another excellent production for Jay Tausig on this year – long journey. Hop in and take this latest part of the journey around the sun.

Track Listing:

1. Tidal Transmission
2. Shell of Silver & the Beehive Heart – Part 1
3. Slow Crawl
4. Shell of Silver & the Beehive Heart – Part 2
5. Moonsong
6. Of Land and Sea
7. Inner Spaces The Wave
8. The Wave
9. Shelter
10. Between the Worlds

Added: October 5th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: TheTripAroundtheSun.com
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Language: english

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