Dan
Siegel is a prolific, high-talented composer and keyboardist. In the
smooth jazz genre widely known by his albums Inside Out (2004)
and Departure (2006) he can look back on a rich past as
musician of nearly 30 years. From this time he revives three of his
more esoteric albums: Another Time, Another Place (1984), On
The Edge (1985) and Short Stories (1986). While he used on
his original releases electronic sounds that were en vogue during that
period, Dan now prefers the modern digital software sound.
Dan is supported
on his re-imagining of these releases
by top notch performers like Michael Lington (sax), Tony Guerrero
(trumpet), Allen Hinds (guitar), Abraham Laboriel (bass), Charlie
Bisharat (violin) and Adam Glasser (harmonica).
The album starts
with Dark Star
from Another Time, Another Place. Keyboard Magazine called this
album
the best keyboard-oriented fusion LP of the year. While the
original recording sounds like a
tune of Michel Jarre, the
re-imagined song reaches a level
of a secret esoteric gem.
Indonesian temple
bells ring into Concrete Jungle. The re-awakening of the happy
jungle sound with Caribbean flair. From uplifting mood to the dark
atmosphere of Fugitives. Taken from the album Short Stories
the tune is influenced by Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and other
forms of world music featuring the mantra vocals of Bulgarian born
Nadia Freeman and Pedro Eustache's flute wonder.
A Day In The Country revives the ease of
country life in a cinematic and orchestral way. Celestial Body
is the right title for the next divine tune. Especially Alex Galas'
bouzouki is the icing of the cake on this captivating tune. Behind
The Shadow is a new esoteric composition featuring Aloke Dasgupta
and Paul Livingstone on sitars.
Before You Wake
has a strong piano line layered with a rich tapestry of synth
sounds. The tune is multi-colored by Michael Lington's sultry
saxophone. Allen Hinds' guitar gives The Last Waltz some edges
as counterpart to the mellow synth sound. The absence of mental stress
or anxiety is called Peace Of Mind. Dive into this stress free
zone with Dan's melodious piano sound emotionally underlined by sitar
players Dasgupta and Livingstone and Adam Glasser on harmonica.
Where Are You
Now is taken from the album Another Time, Another Place and
very close to the original. Melody and instrumental interpretation are
so good, there is no room for improvement. The slow tunes Solitary,
Little Creek and Star Light are masterpieces of new age,
music for recreation.
"Adding these
world music elements made Fables somewhat reminiscent of
Hemispheres," Siegel says, "but these tracks are a bit more edgy
and cinematic. I thought it might be interesting to add more
excitement and sonic variety to the mix. When I first conceived the
project and began working on these tracks, I decided to embellish the
music with organic elements that brought a fuller musical humanity to
the songs. The most enjoyable part of telling these Fables
again was bringing in all these world musicians to join the
traditional instrumentation and trying to explain my arrangements to
them. They all did an amazing job, and it's really one of the most
unique projects I've ever worked on."
Another Time, Another Place (1984), On
The Edge (1985) and Short Stories (1986) were originally
released on LPs and re-released on CDs by Sony in the '90's. It was a
good decision to re-imagine these previous works. Gems new polished
are brought back into today's light.
