In the world of progressive rock, there are the very well-known and essential artists of the great legendary groups and the others who do not have a great reputation but who have, through their career, collaborated with artists of the very first rank. 'Kurt Michaels' belongs to this second category because the American has shared many concerts with, for example, the members of 'Yes', 'Chris Squire', 'Alan White' and 'Billy Sherwood' but also 'Denny Laine ' of the 'Moody Blues' or even 'Ike Willis' who was the guitarist of 'Franck Zappa' for many years. And it is again with familiar names from the progressive scene, such as 'Billy Sherwwod' or 'Amanda Lehmann' that he released his fourth solo album 'Stones from the Garden' which is the 4th in 20 years.
We are therefore taken into a progressive maze through the ages with a variety of styles ranging from pop to rock, including a few incursions into blues and jazz. The album is therefore divided between different atmospheres with first of all imaginative progressive with the remarkable 'Trouble' which begins the album in a rather heavy atmosphere but which can recall with its vocal harmonies and the peregrinations of vintage keyboards the beginnings of progressive. The sequel offers us more serene atmospheres with 'Why Must Life Be Such A Fight?' or the relaxing 'I'm In Love With That Dream' reminiscent of 'Barclay James Harvest' or the light 'Relax…Nothing's Under Control'. We can't miss the two beautiful ballads 'Happiness' and 'Will I Ever Pass This Way Again?' on which we let ourselves be gently rocked with for the first new magnificent vocal harmonies and for the second the delicate singing in the manner of the first 'Beatles'. And then, to end the album, a complete change of register with the 17 minutes of 'The Road Beyond' which takes us on an atmospheric epic à la 'Tangerine Dream' in which we abandon ourselves to the delicate sonorities of the keyboards of 'Jim Gully' and the unreal and magical accompaniments of 'Kurt Michaels' on guitar in an atmosphere conducive to meditation.
In summary, 'Kurt Michaels', accompanied by talented musicians and singers, offers us very beautiful progressive compositions in mainly calm and relaxing atmospheres which makes 'Stone from the Garden' an album to be enjoyed quietly with headphones on, completely abandoning yourself to the sweet melodies embellished by very beautiful vocal harmonies... | |
