Songs From A Spiral Tree: The Vocal Works
Ravello, 2020
8/10
Listen to Songs From A Spiral Tree: The Vocal Works
A very ambitious double disc, James Dashow brings his vocal works into organic instrumentation and electronic manipulation on Songs From A Spiral Tree, where poems by Theodore Roethke, John Ashberry, John Berrymen, Gian Giacomo Menon are illuminated with a creative vision.
“Songs From A Spiral Tree” starts the listen with 4 movements, as mezzo soprano, flute, piccolo and harp interact with an operatic quality where intimacy and exploration unfold with much beauty, and “Ashberry Setting” follows with 26 minutes of a poetic execution that’s precise and full of flutes, keys and Lisa Pierce’s sublime pipes.
Disc 2 leads with “Sul Filo Dei Tramonti”, where electronic flourishes complement Aldo Orvieto’s keys and Sonia Visentin’s sturdy vocals, while “Some Dream Songs” recruits strategic yet jarring moments of dramatic and very playful song craft. “Second Voyage” exits the listen, and also brings electronic ideas amid George Shirley’s tenor as the sonic manipulation adds much to the very unique landscape.
Dashow’s artistic vision is nothing if not rich and eloquent, as the composer leaves us with an unpredictable and meticulous body of work that few could emulate on this fascinating effort.
Travels well with: Jonathan Badger- Piano Quartets; Various Artists- Mind & Machine: Organic And Electronic Works- Volume Three