Giannotti: The Great Unknown

US musician Robert Giannotti is another new name for me, having never heard the artist before. His musical roots date all the way back to the '70s and the band Jasper Wraith. They released their self-titled debut in 1971 and shortly after Giannotti left the band to pursue other passions such as his love of photography. Through the intervening years Giannotti has performed live at local clubs in his home state of Connecticut and in 2010 rediscovered his passion for music, focusing on new material. The end result is The Great Unknown, his first solo CD.

Giannotti is an excellent musician which he so ably demonstrates in the album opening "Intentions – Letting Go". Symphonic swells of and violin style keyboards with emotive lead guitar soaring ever so high. It's a pastoral beginning, very lush and symphonic leading to plaintive acoustic guitar and Giannotti's tasteful lead vocals. There is no doubting Giannotti's love of the '70s and that's okay when the music is this good. "Voyage" is a little darker in tone with wonderful acoustic guitar and flute bringing in a folky element. The lead guitar solo absolutely drips with emotion. "Dance of the Gnome" is an instrumental with mellower soundscapes of flute and quieter instrumentation leading into a driving beat and biting lead guitar.

The title track, at just under twelve minutes is the longest and it's an excellent tune. Beautiful guitar work laid over an ambient backdrop layered with symphonic keyboards. The music builds with acoustic and electric guitar, eventually giving way to choral background voicings and big symphonic rhythms bursting through the mellower soundscape. Pink Floyd is certainly a big influence in this one.

The disc comes in a tri-fold digipack and is of exceptional quality with a cool cover design by Ioannis and excellent photographs by Giannotti found in the accompanying booklet. Lyrics are also included.

So there you have it. The Great Unknown was a very nice surprise indeed. Giannotti needs to be congratulated on a fine piece of work. Of course, the best way to do that is buy the album. Well, what are you waiting for?

Track Listing:
1. Intentions – Letting Go
2. Voyage
3. Dance of the Gnome
4. The Great Unknown
5. Sacred Ground
6. Corridor of Doors
7. A World Away

Added: January 27th 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1942
Language: english

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