Angela’s Ring: An Opera Revue Of The European Debt Crisis
Tiger Turn, 2021
8/10
Listen to Angela’s Ring: An Opera Revue Of The European Debt Crisis
A jazz opera from the always creative mind’s of bassist Kabir Sehgal and pianist Marie Incontrera, Angela’s Ring addresses the European debt crisis across 41 tracks and 2 hours of many voices and robust swing sounds with The Leveraged Jazz Orchestra on hand.
Sprinkled throughout the listen are many “Newsflash” tracks, where quick news stories pertaining to the theme of the album help support the storyline. There’s no actual music on these tracks, though they certainly are important to the impact of the record.
On the musical side of the spectrum, tracks on the first half like “Don’t Blame Me” benefit from crisp drumming and lively brass as many voices converge for a rock’n’roll spirited climate, while the vocally elaborate “Europe Is A Success Story” displays soaring harmonies in a festive setting. Elsewhere, “Don’t Bring Your Troubles Here” pairs moody instrumentation with glorious and playful singing, and “Take It From A Goddess” delivers much beauty in the eloquent storytelling where subtle piano and precise drumming make an impression.
The back half of the album offers “What Have I Done?”, which flows with a theatric quality of tension and restraint, and “It Rains All Over Europa” makes great use of a harp in the dreamy, absorbing atmosphere. Closer to the end, the intimate “Is It Too Late To Save Europa?” builds into a sublime jazz meets opera fusion, and the upbeat and melodic “Finale: Let Us Lie” exits on one of the most memorable moments of the lengthy effort.
One not need to know anything about Europe’s financial problems to enjoy this project, although it might make the wordplay easier to follow. But if your interests reside anywhere near opera and jazz, there’s much in the way of instruments, texturing and top notch songwriting to be excited about from the exceptional talent present.
Travels well with: Arturo O’Farrill- Four Questions; Pablo Ziegler Chamber Quartet- Radiotango