the epic of gilgamesh
| Format | CD |
| Country | USA |
| Recorded | 2000/2001 |
| Issued | 2001 |
| Label | Heliopolis Production |
| Cat no. | - |
| Playing time | - |
| Reviewer | Sven Eriksen |
| TONY GARONE the epic of gilgamesh |
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An hour-long epic work which tells the story of the Mesopotamian hero king Gilgamesh who lived around five thousand years ago. And this hour of music is just a part of the complete work, if you want to hear the rest, you need to access the internet.
The music has, naturally, a certain Eastern feel. Here are instruments with exotic names like Dumbek, Saz, D'jambe and Gomelan Chimes, mixed with more well-known tools. Quite special is also the way in which this music has been created. Sixteen musicians and singers from three countries, many who have never met, have recorded this CD using MP3 technology and the internet, and neither the music nor the sound quality have suffered from it.
This record immediately gave me associations to L Maxwell Taylor's The Cheshire Tree Suite (see Tarkus no 12), not least through the use of acoustic instruments, and the delicate, relaxed atmosphere which pervades the music. The instrumentation is exquisite, and there is good use of contrasts and dynamics. However, it is the vocal work which is the most impressive, whether it be African chants, solo performances, or more traditional harmony singing.
The compositions clearly show that they are passing on a story, and the only negative point is that the music sometimes suffers from the fact that it needs to follow pre-written lyrics, resulting in a few somewhat forced and unimaginative melody lines.
The Epic Of Gilgamesh is an impressive piece of work which gets its acknowledgement not least through first class sound production. If you feel like listening to music that is neither prog, pop, jazz, rock or ambient, this record may be just what you are looking for. And if you want more, just log on to www.garone.net/tony/gilgamesh.html.
© 2001 Tarkus Magazine