SAENA

I have to thank memowakeman for bringing this band to my attention. I remember talking to him after discovering quite by accident Jose Luis Fernandez Ledesma. I was so excited after listening to Ledesma's debut that i've since bought a few more of his albums. This band SAENS is really a continuation of Ledesma's work, as the whole band here has played on his solo records at some point. Of note of course is female singer Margarita Botello who is almost like Ledesma's right arm, as she has accompanied him on his albums and is really his musical partner. She also plays the accordion, organ and piano. I must say that the vioin and accordion play an important role in the sound here. The band took their name from a song off of Ledesma's "Designios" album.

"Astromelia" is my favourite on here. It took a lot of listens but now it's owns my heart. It's melancholic to open with violin and vocal melodies.The tempo picks up and this sounds so good when the guitar and drums come in. She just keeps singing these wordless melodies throughout. Piano and a brighter sound before 4 1/2 minutes. Intricate guitar a minute later. Violin joins in and I love the sound before 7 minutes. The violin really takes the lead late. "Equinoccio" opens with guitar, accordion, violin, drums then vocals. Check out her singing 1 1/2 minutes in,accordion follows.Talented lady. Lots of violin. Vocal melodies before 3 1/2 minutes. Violin replaces the vocals then the drums take the spotlight 5 minutes in. She's back after 6 1/2 minutes. "Venenos Y Antidotos" is the longest song at over 12 minutes, it's more laid back with reserved vocals. I like this one a lot. Accordion before 1 1/2 minutes then piano comes in. Violin's turn. Actually vocal melodies and violin come and go. The tempo slows as it gets dark 5 minutes in. It's brighter after 8 minutes when the piano returns. Violin and accordion follow. Vocal melodies 9 minutes in then violin and drums end it.

"Playa Desierta" opens with the sound of water as guitar and piano follow. Violin after 2 minutes. Vocals a minute after that as piano becomes prominant with drums. Just a gorgeous track. "Cosecha" features lots of piano, vocals and violin. It settles 1 1/2 minutes in. Vocals are passionate. Interesting soundscape after 2 1/2 minutes as violin plays over top. Angular guitar before 4 minutes (I couldn't help but think of Nicklas Barker) then violin takes over. Nice sound. More angular guitar and vocal melodies late. "Estacion De Las 12" is led by the violin as guitar plays along. It changes before 1 1/2 minutes as vocals come in with accordion. I love her vocals on this one. "Final Del Juego" opens with violin and piano. It kicks into gear before a minute. Great sound. The violin is fabulous 3 minutes in. Vocal melodies after 4 minutes and guitar 5 1/2 minutes in. "Octubre" opens with a blistering accordion attack. Kidding ! It does open with accordion though before a full sound arrives before a minute. Vocal melodies after 2 minutes.The tempo picks up eventually. The vocal melodies sound so good after 8 minutes.

Anything that Jose Luis Fernandez Ledesma is involved with is worth checking out. He is a very talented man.The whole band especially Margarita give an outstanding performance. One of the best of 2008.