THE PARK

I bought this several years ago mainly because I was such a fan of Cristiano's keyboard work with MOONGARDEN. He has been in numerous projects over the years but MOONGARDEN's "Roundmidnight" will always hold a special place in my collection. Cristiano also plays Chapman Stick but on this his second solo record he plays everything !

These words from Roversi were taken from the liner notes : "I think it ( "The Park" ) signals the end of a phase in my career and it seems ironic how it also marks the beginning of my own label, Moonshine. I'm very proud of this, which I consider to be my finest and most inspired work, and i'm even more proud of the friend who stepped in at the 11th hour and gave it the finishing touch with his wonderful voice (Simone Rossetti, welcome to the family !)." Simone of course is the singer for THE WATCH and he sings on the final track which is the only vocal song on here. I should mention that this is a soundtrack for a documentary and it is filled with mellotron. Sure they are samples but man this album blows me away by it's majesty and beauty.

"The Park-Part1" opens with beautiful piano and we get some depth here too as synths, mellotron and more come in. It settles back after 1 1/2 minutes but this does continue to shift and evolve. "Birds Rhyme" opens with piano as the mellotron joins in. The mellotron becomes powerful and majestic late. Gulp. "Winter Theme" features more of that warm and beautiful sounding mellotron and synths arrive before a minute. They stop 1 1/2 minutes in though. Intense mellotron before 3 minutes and the synths return late. "Birds Rhyme Reprise" hits us with a storm of mellotron. My God ! "The Park-Part 2" is simply gorgeous and moving music. "Stolen Title" is all about the Chapman Stick really.

"The Park-Part 3" opens with piano melodies. It's fuller half way through then back to piano only to end it. "Wind Rhymes" is a mellotron feast as the storm rages on throughout. So emotional. "Summer Theme" has this thick atmosphere and bass as the piano joins in. Powerful stuff. "The Park-Part 4" is atmospheric. "Stargazers" has mellotron sweeping across the soundscape in a beautiful yet relentless manner. "Tripping" has the combination of Simone's singing and Cristiano's instrumental work and the result is stunning. There are really no words to describe this one.

Closer to 4.5 stars.