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THE LEGEND OF THE TWO STONEDRAGONS (TWA JORG-J-DRAAK SAGA)

Crystal Phoenix

Prog Folk


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Crystal Phoenix The Legend of the Two Stonedragons (Twa Jorg-J-Draak Saga) album cover
3.00 | 6 ratings | 4 reviews | 0% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 2003

Songs / Tracks Listing

The Future:
1. Total War (5:41) :
- a) Gloria
- b) Black Out
2. Remembrance (1:20)
3. The New Time's Hero (4:37)
4. Renegade (Beyond the Glass) (4:55)
5. Caled's Last Flight (4:02)
6. Reminiscence (1:13)

The Past:
7. The Maid and the Willow (4:22)
8. Dragon Lord (3:38)
9. Lullaby (4:19)
10. Spring's Dance (4:00)
11. War Again (3:34)

Total Time 41:41

Line-up / Musicians

- Myriam Sagenwells Saglimbeni / vocals, all guitars, bass, 22-string harp
- Tina Vadalà / vocals, cymbals
- Raymond (Remo) Sgrò / piano, keyboards, bass, flute & all recorders
- Roberto Mazza / drums

Releases information

CD Black Widow Records BWR063 (2003)

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CRYSTAL PHOENIX The Legend of the Two Stonedragons (Twa Jorg-J-Draak Saga) ratings distribution


3.00
(6 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(0%)
0%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(17%)
17%
Good, but non-essential (67%)
67%
Collectors/fans only (17%)
17%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

CRYSTAL PHOENIX The Legend of the Two Stonedragons (Twa Jorg-J-Draak Saga) reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by ClemofNazareth
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk Researcher
3 stars Crystal Phoenix is another in a large population of Italian bands whose music seems to flow freely between metal, classical folk and progressive sounds with fanciful themes that combine legends with loosely historical contexts. Musically they run somewhere between Sad Minstrel and Mago de Oz with instrumentation consisting mostly of electric guitar, woodwinds, electric keyboards and percussion. 'Twa Jorg-J-Draak Saga' (The Legend of the Two Stonedragons' is their second and final studio effort, issued by Black Widow Records in 2003 who also made the band's debut the first release on that label.

Like the band's first record this one is a theme album, in this case a somewhat disjointed tale of apocalyptic nuclear war followed by a period of militant control in which the masses suffer genetic instability while the elite social classes possess electronic chips that manage to reverse deformities. A rumored cure has been developed by the military, who closely guards the antidote until a rogue group of military warriors form a rebel coalition to make the cure available to civilians. You have to read about the theme of the album to get this though, as the lyrics aren't quite consistent with the liner notes story.

The arrangements of songs begins with a prologue of the future state (post-nuclear war), and ends with the more bucolic second half reminiscing on a more innocent day before the world turned upside-down. Interestingly enough I found very little about either the lyrics or the liner notes story that pointed to either dragons or legends, but since this sort of music requires a suspension in reality anyway that's a minor detail.

Musically this is obviously an Italian album as it features beautiful piano passages (on "Remembrance" and "War Again" in particular); lots of recorders, flute and other woodwinds; and plenty of guitar arpeggios during the more strenuous parts.

The band is the brainchild of Myriam Sagenwells Saglimbeni who sings, plays guitar, bass and harp and wrote pretty much all the lyrics in addition to creating the artwork. This lineup is almost completely different than that of the first album with the exception of Saglimbeni and drummer Roberto Mazzo.

Overall I like the instrumentation for the most part, although there's nothing here that is particularly new or innovative from a compositional standpoint. The theme isn't anything earthshaking either, but at least the lyrics and sequencing of songs makes for a contiguous experience and the music is melodic and engaging enough to listen all the way through while keeping one's attention for the most part. On whole I'll say this is a three star out of five effort, an album that would make for decent background music or possibly even mood music on a cool winter evening at home when there's not much to do. Mildly recommended to fans of folk-leaning music with metal nuances such as the 3rd & the Mortal, Sad Minstrel or Bluehorses.

peace

Review by kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Reviewer
3 stars 'The Legend Of The Two Stonedragons' follows on some fourteen years since the debut. At that time the band was just one person, Myriam Sagenwells Sagliembeni (who on this recording provides vocals, guitars, bass and harp). A band was formed to play some gigs but they had disbanded by 1992. In 1993 Black Widow re-released the album, their first ever release. In 2000 Myriam formed a new band, and she has now been joined by Tina Vadal' (vocals/cymbals), Raymond Sgr' (piano, keys, bass guitar, flute, recorders) and Robert Mazza (drums). But this is now a band and Myriam shares song writing duties with Raymond.

The album is divided into two, the past and the future, and contains a complex story which ranges from fantasy to science fiction. Luckily the background and all of the lyrics are provided.One of these songs is on the Black Widow sampler which was free with #71. Musically this is quite a dreamy album, with the emphasis on delicacy instead of bombast. The vocals are extremely important with a high vocal line often being used as an instrument.

The impression is of a time gone by, and the label calls this 'Epic Folk Prog'. It is almost as if Legend had joined forces with Steeleye Span, so that even when the band try to break free they can only do so within certain constraints. Overall an interesting album, but I am not sure how often I will be returning to it. For more information about the band and their history then visit their site at www.crystalphoenix.cjb.net or the label site at www.blackwidow.it.

Originally appeared in Feedback #74, Jun 03

Review by kenethlevine
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Team
3 stars The interval since this second and, thus far, final work by CRYSTAL PHOENIX aka Myriam Sagenwells Saglimbeni and company now exceeds the gap of 14 years between it and the eponymous debut. Miraculously, the website persists, even if the latest information contained therein dates from 2012. The mishmash style of RPI, metallic and Celtic influenced progressive folk remains intact but this continuation of the original concept is more mature and eclectic.

Myriam is joined by fellow multi-instrumentalist Remo Sgro, a backing singer and a percussionist this time around. Sgro's contributions extend from PROCOL HARUM-like piano on "Remembrance" to neo classical organ and synths on "renegade" to low tin whistle on the pagan inflected "Maid and the Willow". Myriam's fiery guitar leads infuse muscle as needed without sounding incongruous, at their best on "Total War", revisited on "Dragon Lord", and "Caleb's Last Flight".

The energy level languishes in the later stages, not even revived on the ultimate title, "Total War", and this dampens the overall impact. Still, if you are a fan of the likes of BLACKMORE's NIGHT, LOREENA MCKENNITT, or SAD MINSTREL, you will probably enjoy "The Legend of the Two Stonedragons", the superior of the two works by CRYSTAL PHOENIX. 3.5 stars rounded down.

Latest members reviews

3 stars Hmmmmmmmm......... ?? What am I supposed to say about this album ? This is the second album from this prog folk band from Italy and the brainchild of Myriam Sagenwells Saglimbeni. It is also a mixed bag of most thing. Let's start with the vocals. The female vocals are both opera and clear ... (read more)

Report this review (#307088) | Posted by toroddfuglesteg | Thursday, October 28, 2010 | Review Permanlink

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