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Elly Roberts reviews
4AD Records
- October 2007
- Rating: 10/10+
If you fancy spending some of your well earned pennies, then invest in this CD.
Of all the albums reviewed this year, this is the most, enchanting and fascinatingof the lot. Honestly, there is nothing quite like this around at the moment.
Santa Fe resident, 21-year-old singer-songwriter turned band leader, Zachary F.Condon could, dare it be said, be a musical genius. Temporarily living inParis to get the feel of things for this concept album ideas based on Frenchcities and culture – Zach presents his second album with a mesmersing range of sounds.
I say sounds as there so much going on instrumentally, and musically. OK, hissinging isnt going to light up the Eiffel Tower, but as a composite pieceThe Flying Club Cup is going to win him many admirers like hisdebut Gulag Orkestar from May 2006. This is the sort of album both fans,musicians (and even critics) like to get their teeth into.
With the CD having little if any prospect of a hit single, its hard to imaginethat Condon will become a household name, not that thats the intention. Condonsobjective, whether deliberate or not, is to gain credibility and respect from hispeers and fans. This album does that with real conviction.
Inspired by an early colour photograph he found showing a hot air balloon festivalin Paris in the early part of the 20th Century, it progressed with him listeningto music by Jacques Brel, Francois Hardy, Charles Aznavour and French chansonmusic, which were shrouded in huge OTT arrangements with plenty of drama.It also urged him to buy new instruments such as French horns, euphomiums andworking with accordian and organ.
During six months of recording, the photo was pasted to the wall of the sessions, as he paid homage to French culture. Initially, it was to have a city or towntitle similar to Sufjan Stevens naming each USA state on the album titles.Condon change it around a bit. The outcome is truly magnificent.
Eighteen seconds worth of instrumental A Call To Arms, is just that, asif to warm the listener of the audio experience to come. Its also a kind ofwarm up for the musicians.
Neat and tidy, Nantes, would at a push, make wonderful single.
A slow beginning builds to a beat embelished by a huge brass ensemble thatswing and sway to the synchopation.
With a pseudo oriental string arrangement, the stunning In The Mausoleumcould be used for dance purposes, as it bounces along with real gusto.
In complete contrast The Penalty starts with a strummed eukulele graduallybuilding with Condons vibrato topping the fun.
Cherbourg, has more of a Spanish feel, elephant-like horn blasts simply add tothe drama.
Theres a lot more that could be said, but it might just get in the way of itsenjoyment.
Using several instrumentalists, now topping eight, they had a big hand in thesessions which they ambitiously hope to take on the road.
Absolutely brilliant. Buy it now: you wont be disappointed.
Weblinks:beirutband.com /myspace.com/beirut /4ad.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. A Call to Arms
2. Nantes
3. A Sunday Smile
4. Guyamas Sonora
5. La Banlieue
6. Cliquot
7. Forks And Knives (La Fete)
8. In The Mausoleum
9. Un Dernier Verre (Pour La Route)
10. Cherbourg
11. St.Apollonia
12. The Flying Club Cup
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.