TALINKA - Rainbow Over Kolonaki
Purchase from https://www.talinka.live/buy
Tali Atzmon - vocals, ukelele; Gilad atzmon - tenor sax, clarinet, soprano sax, bass clarinet, accordion; Yaron Stavi - double bass; Ross Stanley - piano; Jenny Bliss -violin, viola da gamba, vocals; Billy Pod - percussion
Tali Atzmon is a vocalist, actress and singer. Her debut recording 'Talinka' met with acclaim and here on 'Rainbow Over Kolonaki' she leads an ensemble in an eclectic and enjoyable recording.
' Rainbow over Kolonaki' opens the album - we hear birdsong, church bells - a village setting perhaps? Some interference over radio adds to the cacophony. Then, swinging, swaggering , drowning out all other noise comes the piano , double bass and violin with an Eastern-infused, klezmer touched in its rhythm melody. The vocals tell of the visions of beauty seen by the singer - all illusion of course and the parody is in the perfection of the visions and the rawness of the accompaniment. Gloriously paradoxical, this is a great opener and the clear message is music, in many forms, is the healing element. Tali demonstrates some impressive, vocal yells whilst still maintaining her alto tones and the sliding tenor adds slightly sleazy overtones to the latter half of the song - intentional I am sure. The outre dissolves into controlled mayhem - wonderful.
'If I should Lose You' begins with a rather gorgeous tenor sax introduction, which, after the vocal entry, continues in parapoint interruptions as Tali sings of the sadness she would feel if she lost her love (which in this case, just happens also to be the tenor player). I had forgotten how effective Gilad Atzmon's slightly extended upper note style of playing adds atmosphere to pieces - and this is an example. Tali's voice suits this number and the telling of the giving of love and possibility of loss is emotive. Under all the interaction of voice, viola da gamba, and sax is the steadfast bass line, which is worth hanging on to if you can. The viola da gamba lifts and soars and the suspicion is that Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin would only just recognise their number here but would probably approve.
'She Moved Through the fair' is a traditional Irish folk song , here given the Eastern treatment, which suits the Mixoyldian mode, which in turn meets well with the Eastern rhythms this band infuse their music with. The vocals are lovely and the story of a lover, lost who returns as a ghost is well told. The song also suits the ukulele which Tali plays here. The harmonies of Jenny Bliss are lovely and the eerie backing, at one point going a little astray from the rhythm, of the soprano sax works wonders.
Sinatra's 'I'm a Fool To Want You' is given a sultry, warm treatment and this number is rich and well structured with the bass and tenor offering additional lower lines whilst the pianointroduces some uplifting melodic lines and a great solo section, which this number always needs. ' Greensleeves , another English folk song , is interesting. An accordion introduction, a harmonised vocal section and a largely untextured accompaniment, which the listener will find a definite 'Marmite' moment - you either love this or you ...don't.
'Perdita' is Tali's composition and all is redeemed. This is an emotive, atmospheric, cleverly arranged number with parts for clarinet, bass clarinet, a gorgeous double bass line or two and a melding of Eastern and Western rhythms and delivery. The rhythmic changes from 4/4 to 6/8 and back and swaps in and out are effective and creep up on the listener like a mischievous cat. You know you are being stalked but still sit there, wanting to play and hear more. Lovely but also slightly loopy yet somehow enchanting.
' Time Runs Out' is another Tali Atzmon composition and again there is that melding of Eastern influences with western sensibilities in the rhythmic patterns. 'Where do we go, we've lost our way, and the night will not forgive the yesterday' ...The words are emotive and poignant, hitting nerves whilst the music is gentler and subtle. The ukulele features again and adds a charm, as does the throatiness in the change of linguistics.
'Scarborough fair', another English folk song, is delivered largely solo and harmonic voice but appropriately emphasised by the addition of harmonies via the accordion. Later the bass adds its voice and the track is enhanced by the drums of Athens-based drummer Vassilis Podaras, otherwise known as Billy Pod. This is one of the most un-English versions of an English folk song you will hear.
'When Apollo Smiles' is an intimate number, telling of lovers coming together at the end of the day and sharing their stories. It tells of how they make Apollo smile which, given he is the god of music and dance ( among other things) might just work. The viola da gamba lines are lovely.
From 1938 comes the song 'I'll Be Seeing You' by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal' and here is it delivered straight but with a lean towards the third beat so typical of this group's delivery. A lovely arrangement, this is swingy, well delivered and a great number to seal the album.
On making this album, Tali told me , “In Rainbow Over Kolonaki we continue our music adventure. We remain faithful to beauty and simplicity, exploring different colours, styles and genres. On a personal level, my new compositions on this album are a fruit of my recent love affair with my ukulele.'
It certainly delivers a full range of emotions, and , as often, there is a subtle sense of humour running through in those little quirks of musical arrangements which so often occur when any Atzmon has a hand.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
Purchase from https://www.talinka.live/buy
Tali Atzmon - vocals, ukelele; Gilad atzmon - tenor sax, clarinet, soprano sax, bass clarinet, accordion; Yaron Stavi - double bass; Ross Stanley - piano; Jenny Bliss -violin, viola da gamba, vocals; Billy Pod - percussion
Tali Atzmon is a vocalist, actress and singer. Her debut recording 'Talinka' met with acclaim and here on 'Rainbow Over Kolonaki' she leads an ensemble in an eclectic and enjoyable recording.
' Rainbow over Kolonaki' opens the album - we hear birdsong, church bells - a village setting perhaps? Some interference over radio adds to the cacophony. Then, swinging, swaggering , drowning out all other noise comes the piano , double bass and violin with an Eastern-infused, klezmer touched in its rhythm melody. The vocals tell of the visions of beauty seen by the singer - all illusion of course and the parody is in the perfection of the visions and the rawness of the accompaniment. Gloriously paradoxical, this is a great opener and the clear message is music, in many forms, is the healing element. Tali demonstrates some impressive, vocal yells whilst still maintaining her alto tones and the sliding tenor adds slightly sleazy overtones to the latter half of the song - intentional I am sure. The outre dissolves into controlled mayhem - wonderful.
'If I should Lose You' begins with a rather gorgeous tenor sax introduction, which, after the vocal entry, continues in parapoint interruptions as Tali sings of the sadness she would feel if she lost her love (which in this case, just happens also to be the tenor player). I had forgotten how effective Gilad Atzmon's slightly extended upper note style of playing adds atmosphere to pieces - and this is an example. Tali's voice suits this number and the telling of the giving of love and possibility of loss is emotive. Under all the interaction of voice, viola da gamba, and sax is the steadfast bass line, which is worth hanging on to if you can. The viola da gamba lifts and soars and the suspicion is that Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin would only just recognise their number here but would probably approve.
'She Moved Through the fair' is a traditional Irish folk song , here given the Eastern treatment, which suits the Mixoyldian mode, which in turn meets well with the Eastern rhythms this band infuse their music with. The vocals are lovely and the story of a lover, lost who returns as a ghost is well told. The song also suits the ukulele which Tali plays here. The harmonies of Jenny Bliss are lovely and the eerie backing, at one point going a little astray from the rhythm, of the soprano sax works wonders.
Sinatra's 'I'm a Fool To Want You' is given a sultry, warm treatment and this number is rich and well structured with the bass and tenor offering additional lower lines whilst the pianointroduces some uplifting melodic lines and a great solo section, which this number always needs. ' Greensleeves , another English folk song , is interesting. An accordion introduction, a harmonised vocal section and a largely untextured accompaniment, which the listener will find a definite 'Marmite' moment - you either love this or you ...don't.
'Perdita' is Tali's composition and all is redeemed. This is an emotive, atmospheric, cleverly arranged number with parts for clarinet, bass clarinet, a gorgeous double bass line or two and a melding of Eastern and Western rhythms and delivery. The rhythmic changes from 4/4 to 6/8 and back and swaps in and out are effective and creep up on the listener like a mischievous cat. You know you are being stalked but still sit there, wanting to play and hear more. Lovely but also slightly loopy yet somehow enchanting.
' Time Runs Out' is another Tali Atzmon composition and again there is that melding of Eastern influences with western sensibilities in the rhythmic patterns. 'Where do we go, we've lost our way, and the night will not forgive the yesterday' ...The words are emotive and poignant, hitting nerves whilst the music is gentler and subtle. The ukulele features again and adds a charm, as does the throatiness in the change of linguistics.
'Scarborough fair', another English folk song, is delivered largely solo and harmonic voice but appropriately emphasised by the addition of harmonies via the accordion. Later the bass adds its voice and the track is enhanced by the drums of Athens-based drummer Vassilis Podaras, otherwise known as Billy Pod. This is one of the most un-English versions of an English folk song you will hear.
'When Apollo Smiles' is an intimate number, telling of lovers coming together at the end of the day and sharing their stories. It tells of how they make Apollo smile which, given he is the god of music and dance ( among other things) might just work. The viola da gamba lines are lovely.
From 1938 comes the song 'I'll Be Seeing You' by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal' and here is it delivered straight but with a lean towards the third beat so typical of this group's delivery. A lovely arrangement, this is swingy, well delivered and a great number to seal the album.
On making this album, Tali told me , “In Rainbow Over Kolonaki we continue our music adventure. We remain faithful to beauty and simplicity, exploring different colours, styles and genres. On a personal level, my new compositions on this album are a fruit of my recent love affair with my ukulele.'
It certainly delivers a full range of emotions, and , as often, there is a subtle sense of humour running through in those little quirks of musical arrangements which so often occur when any Atzmon has a hand.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
