LES CHÂTEAUX DE LA LOIRE

Beautiful pastoral music in the vein of the 21st Century releases of Andrew Marshall's WILLOWGLASS and early BIG BIG TRAIN--recent artists who were also inspired by the ANTHONY PHILLIPS-like instrument palette. In my opinion, the music is quite fitting and elevated enough to do justice to the subject matter it is trying to honor, the chateaux of France's famed Loire Valley. All songs are acoustic guitar based with layers of support from Mellotrons, strings, "period"-sounding keyboards, hand percussives, wordless singing, and woodwinds. Obviously, the music is up to the master's own standards as the one and only Anthony Phillips adds his vocal talents to set the album's overall mood with the recitation of an Alfred Austin poem as the Suite's opener and closer. The two bonus tracks, the lyrically accompanied "The Ancient Samovar" and the gorgeous piano-based "Wintry Afternoon" are as fitting to the album's overall feel as is its central "Chateaux Suite." Like the works of Mssrs. Marshall, Spawnton & Poole, this music is quite gorgeous, relaxing, and undemanding. Definitely a worthy addition to any prog lover's music collection--and especially to those who enjoy the contemplative and reverential side of human nature.