Category: Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles)

Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

ANGEL (By R. Armando Morabito & Julie Elven: single)

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 5:28 Min.

This 2014 single is a collaboration between composer-musician R. (Ray) Armando Morabito and German-based songstress Julie Elven. This track is available as a digital download.

REVIEW:

Upon hearing the classy electronica stylings of R. Armando Morabito, “Angel” sounds near-indistinguishable from similar themes by, for instance, Ivan Torrent or John Dreamer.  Considering their equally high-caliber work, that’s a compliment to Morabito.  Yet, what noticeably enhances “Angel” is the impact of genre regular Julie Elven.  Her ethereal vocals add something special to the mix, making this track ideal for movie/video game soundtracks and/or trailers.  Even more so, “Angel” treads close to European disco-pop in a vein similar to the late Robert Miles.    

For epic enthusiasts, “Angel” warrants consideration adding to a favorite playlist.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Rock & Symphonic/Metal

ALWAYS (by Bon Jovi: Cross Road)

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 5:53 Min.

Initially written for 1993’s Gary Oldman-Lena Olin crime thriller, Romeo is Bleeding, Jon Bon Jovi ultimately declined to release this song for the movie’s soundtrack.  Retaining the film’s title in its lyrics, “Always” instead premiered on Bon Jovi’s 1994 Cross Road best-of album.  It’s also appeared on the band’s 2010 Greatest Hits – The Ultimate Collection.  The song is available as a digital download.      

REVIEW:

Supported by a likable melody, Jon Bon Jovi’s vocals are in vintage form on this ballad, as are the instrumentals.  The only detriment is that the romantical sentiments posed in the lyrics are a cliché-fest.  One might even suspect that the tune is Bon Jovi’s rock answer to Bryan Adams’ lengthy 1991 “Everything I Do (I Do It for You),” including a similar six-minute running time.  Still, Bon Jovi’s “Always” ages surprisingly well, making it a solid choice as a download.          

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

AFFIRMATION (by Keiko Matsui, featuring Kirk Whalum: THE ROAD …)

SUMMARY:                                      RUNNING TIME: 6:00 Min.

For her 2011 CD, The Road…, Japanese keyboardist Keiko Matsui teams up with musician Kirk Whalum on this instrumental jazz track.  It’s Track # 8. The song is also available as a digital download (with or without the complete album).

REVIEW:

Talk about classy teamwork … the chemistry between Keiko Matsui’s keyboards and Kirk Whalum’s saxophone is flawless.  Not only does this upbeat track have a contemporary jazz sound, there’s a distinctive gospel undertone adding extra dimension at the right moments.  Considering its extended running time, Matsui and Whalum give listeners their full money’s worth.  Absolutely well-played! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           9 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Classical Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

MOONLIGHT & MADNESS (Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Night Castle)

SUMMARY:                                         RUNNING TIME: 5:04 MIN.

From their 2009 album, Night Castle, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra incorporates a gothic rock opera approach to piano-influenced elements of Beethoven and Chopin.  

REVIEW:

“Moonlight and Madness” easily conjures up stormy Halloween Night images of either the Phantom of the Opera or Count Dracula wiling away some free time hidden away in the darkness composing a five-minute rock instrumental.  An ominously funky brew of high-caliber heavy metal seamlessly meshing with refrains of classical music makes this tune truly inspired.  Pulsating with a catchy melody, “Moonlight and Madness” is another classical gem in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s arsenal.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        8 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Gospel & Holidays Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

CHRISTMAS/SARAVEJO {INSTRUMENTAL} (Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve & Other Stories)

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 3:25 MIN.

From their 1996 holiday album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra exuberantly re-imagines “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” with a heavy metal instrumental riff.  

REVIEW:

Pulsating with a catchy metal melody (including the use of ominously-tolling bells), “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24” deserves its annual radio play amidst the holiday season.  Considering the track doesn’t wear out its welcome, one just wishes that this musical gem would last at least another minute.  Hearing The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s mini-masterpiece reinvigorating “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” as a rock anthem is well worth the download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         9 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE