MASQUERADE

As I said in my review of Sky 3 album yesterday, Sky 4: Forthcoming consists only of covers mainly from the works of classical composers. 'Masquerade' is a waltz written in 1941 by Armenian composer Aram Khatchaturian for a production of the play with the same title. Sky's version was arranged by keyboardist Steve Gray who did a fairly good job. The band was known for their rock combo adaptations of classical pieces, and 'Masquerade' is a good example of them. It cannot be compared to the marvelous 'Toccata' from Sky 2 (1980) but Sky sounds very much themselves here. A nice and suitable piece to be adapted by Sky.

'Fantasy' is John Williams' arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach's keyboard piece Fantasia C minor BWV 906, probably dating from the late 1720's. According to Wikipedia "the piece is notable for being one of Bach's latest compositions in the prelude and fugue format, and for being a showcase of Bach trying his hand at the emerging galant and empfindsam styles of music that his sons were known to compose". Perhaps for Sky's benefit, it's not among the most familiar Bach tunes ever. This version features harpsichord notably accompanied by electric guitar. I think this time Sky comes uncomfortably close to the Hooked On Classics territory, or the Dutch EKSEPTION in the 70's. The adaptation is rather stiff compared to 'Toccata'.

I didn't find information of the reception of this single. Anyway at this point Sky's star and creativity were gradually descending. They were merely repeating themselves with their predictable classical adaptations. I prefer e.g. 'Xango' (Villa-Lobos) and 'Skylark' (Hoagy Carmichael) on Sky 4: Forthcoming.

3- stars for 'Masquerade', 2 stars for 'Fantasy'.