Smith, Judge: Orfeas: A Songstory

Judge Smith, one of the co-founders of progressive rock giant Van der Graaf Generator, has released his most recent solo album, and this time he created an epic, 2 disc CD of his own. He has taken on the epic story of Orpheus, the musician, who took a trip through the underworld to try to retrieve his wife. Smith wrote the words and music for the album. Smith brings along a pantheon of famous talent with him through this "journey", including: "The George Orfeas Band", including: john "Fury" Ellis, on lead guitar; David Jackson, on saxophone; Marco Olivotto, on bass; Bert Santilly, on accordion; John Ellis, on rhythm guitar; Lene Lovich, plays Eurydice; david Shaw-Parker plays the Bard Anachronistes; Rene van Commenee, guest lead vocal as the Band in Hell; and the Interview Ensemble, Ricardo Odriozola, on violins and violas; Ben Nation, on cellos; David Shaw-Parker, as Mike 'Tyger'; Dorie Jackson, as radio jingle voice; David Minnick, on percussion, keyboards, bass, and guitar; John Ellis, speech-music guitar; and of course Judge Smith as George Orfeas himself.

This is a wild comedic romp with hints of Monty Python – like humour mixed with wonderful guitar and instrumental solos. It is a musical play on history with some of today's troubles and news mixed in to give you a modern perspective on the story, relating it to our crazy world in chaos existence.

The music is what you would expect from such a giant in the progressive world of rock…excellence. Very interesting compositions and inspired art. If you are a VDGG fan you will want to snatch this up as soon as possible.

Track Listing:

1. The Bard – One
2. Rundown Rudi 4:12
3. Soliloquy – One 0:46
4. Seven Yard Promenade 3:33
5. Interview – One 3:27
6. Orphic Lullaby 4:00
7. Soliloquy – Two 0:51
8. Wolfman George 3:14
9. Soliloquy – Three 1:24
10. The Bard – Two 1:41
11. Soliloquy – Four 1:43
12. In-Flight Movie – One 3:11
13. Orfeas and Eurydice – One 2:58
14. In-Flight Movie – Two 0:57
15. In Hell – One 0:18
16. Carpet of Bones 4:31
17. In Hell – Two 0:41
18. In-Flight Movie – Three 0:52
19. Orfeas and Eurydice – Two 1:53
20. The Crab Nebula 1:47
21. Orfeas and Eurydice – Three 1:10
22. Orfeas' Audition 4:48
23. Don't Look Back 2:42
24. In-Flight Movie – Four 1:15
25. Interview – Two 4:11
26. Fishin' in the Styx 3:27
27. Soliloquy – Five 0:48
28. Don't Deafen Me, Persephone 4:28
29. The Bard – Three 1:17
30. Soliloquy – Six 0:47
31. Catastrophe in Czecho 1:31
32. An Announcement 0:42
33. Tear Him Asunder 4:07
34. The Bard – Four 2:16

Added: August 10th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Judge-Smith.com
Hits: 1810
Language: english

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