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Reviewers: Tony Augarde [Editor], Don Mather, Sam Webster, Jonathan Woolf, Glyn Pursglove



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RICHARD GALLIANO
Love Day
Milan 399 228-2

 

 



 

1. Aurore
2. Bonjour
3. Birds
4. Hymne
5. Mister J
6. Love Day
7. Appel Pie
8. Sérénité
9. Pourquoi?
10. Poème
11. Aria
12. Crépuscule
 
Richard Galliano - Accordion
Gonzalo Rubalcaba - Piano
Charlie Haden - Bass
Mino Cinelu - Drums, percussion
 

This CD might be described as a "concept album" or (in even older parlance) a suite. French accordionist Richard Galliano presents us with a dozen pieces which depict one day or, alternatively, a whole life from birth to death. Thus it begins with the dawn of Aurora and continues with exploration of life and the world in Bonjour and Birds. Eventually we reach the end of the day (or life) with Sérénité leading into Crépuscule (Twilight).

The album was recorded during six days in April 2008 at Capitol Records studios in Los Angeles. Richard Galliano assembled an all-star line-up of friends for the recording, and it certainly lives up to expectations. All four musicians are virtuosi and they blend seamlessly and unselfishly.

The opening Aurora starts placidly with a gentle dawn, followed by the livelier Bonjour with a bustling rhythm which evinces the dexterity of both Rubalcaba and Galliano on their respective keyboards. And thus the day/life progresses, with quiet tunes contrasting with vigorous activity: the jaunty, multi-faceted Birds; the pensive Hymne; the tender title-track; the Latin-flavoured Appel Pie - possibly a misprint but more likely a pun. This track benefits from Mino Cinelu's percussion and Rubalcaba's scintillating Cuban piano. The questing Pourquoi? leads into a descent into puzzlement followed by the calm resignation of Poème, the melodious Aria and the closing Crépuscule.

Despite the musicians' brilliance, they have the good taste to resist showing off their technical abilities and instead use their expertise in the service of expressiveness. The result is generally unshowy but undoubtedly impressive. All human life is here.


Tony Augarde


 

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