Norlander, Erik: Hommage Symphonique

If you were expecting a follow-up to Erik Norlander's excellent Music Machine, go to the latest release by his band, The Rocket Scientists. Their newest CD is in very much in the vein of Music Machine, while this one is nothing like it. See, this one is all cover songs. Covers, y'know? Playing music originally written and recorded by someone else. And there are schools of thought on covers:

• Some people consider them to be a cop-out, believing the artists were too lazy - or simply unable - to go through the creative process and develop their own music.
• Others might be more accommodating, citing the fact that some of the most genuinely creative artists - including those in the progressive genre - have done covers many times, to great effect, and showcasing their own skills in the process. Heck, it's been done by acts like Rush, and by Dream Theater, and ... by Lana Lane.

So what's your take?

There are songs here by Rick Wakeman, Procol Harum, Jethro Tull, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Yes, Chuck Mangione and King Crimson - so Hommage Symphonique is an hommage to symphonic music originally recorded by some of the world's best - and whether you love covers or hate them, you have to consider this: You already know the music - so when you hear it covered by Erik Norlander - one of the world's more capable keyboard wizards - it's far easier to pick up his flair, his creative embellishments, and his interesting interpretations. And that in turn may give you a better handle on the man's musicianship. These songs are mostly keyboard-rich pieces to start with - and Norlander's use of classic instruments brings a credibility and sincerity to his arrangements.

Erik Norlander, Lana Lane and The Rocket Scientists are at the hub of a group of talented artists, who collaborate in varying degrees in the various projects - ensuring a continuity of strong musicianship, yet allowing each project to maintain its own identity. With each song on Hommage Symphonique the vocals interpret (but don't immitate) those of the original singers, and Kelly Keeling does a remarkably credible job on the Jon Anderson and Greg Lake originals.

The selection of music is certainly complex enough to present a huge challenge - yet Norlander and his guest artists have met that challenge admirably. They don't stray too far from the originals, yet there's plenty of creativity here - and despite the differences between the original songs and the artists who recorded them, Erik manages to maintain a certain cohesion through the whole piece - it's neither 'all over the place', as you might expect, nor does it have a 'samey' quality - in fact it's a surprisingly fine listen.

5 stars for the musicianship, 2 stars for creativity, but in fairness, another half star for the creativity and flair that was applied to each arrangement.

Track Listing:

• Conquistador (Procol Harum)
  
• Sir Lancelot And The Black Knight (Rick Wakeman)
  
• Turn Of The Century (Yes)
  
• Pirates (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
  
• Clasp (Jethro Tull)
  
• King Of The Universe (Electric Light Orchestra)
  
• Children Of Sanchez Overture (Chuck Mangione)
  
• Starless (King Crimson)
  

Added: February 13th 2008
Reviewer: Duncan Glenday
Score:
Related Link: The Artist's Website
Hits: 11198
Language: english

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