Sarah Pillow: Nuove Musiche

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: March 1, 2001

Multitalented vocalist Sarah Pillow veers off the straight and narrow with this immensely absorbing release titled Nuove Musiche, which in Italian, signifies ‘new music’. Here, Ms. Pillow melds Baroque compositions with fusion, progressive rock and blues motifs, all sung in Latin, French, Spanish, English and/or Italian. A striking concept indeed, as the artist aligns her impressive vocal faculties with the eminent fusion/progressive ensemble, “Brand X”.

On this outing, the music of 17th century composers such as Purcell, Monteverdi, Rossi and Dowland cross paths with one of the hardest driving bands in the business amid Ms. Pillow’s silken incantations and conspicuously stylistic approach. Throughout, the vocalist renders romantic lyricism in various dialects atop thrashing blues choruses, sublime synths and electric guitarist John Goodsall’s blistering chord progressions and semi-classical accompaniment performed on acoustic guitar. Meanwhile, vibraphonist, multi-instrumentalist Marc Wagnon, bassist Percy Jones and drummer Frank Katz lay down the thunderous or at times, delicately constructed rhythms. Hence, an intriguing and somewhat surrealistic fusing of disparate elements and contrasting modes of execution, as the band fabricates interweaving fabrics of sound in concert with Ms. Pillows resonant vocals and lilting arias. No doubt, this recording will spur some debate yet when viewed upon as a whole, Nuove Musiche is a compelling project, brimming with emotional story lines and melodious themes. Basically, Sarah Pillow navigates previously uncharted sectors on this curiously interesting excursion!

Buckyball Records

Track Listing: Amarilli mia Bella, Come Away, come Sweet Love, Exulta, Filia Sion, If Mio Cocente Ardore, Dido

Personnel: Sarah Pillow; voice: John Goodsall; guitars: Percy Jones; bass: Frank Katz; drums: Marc Wagnon; vibraphone, midi vibes, keyboards,percussion, samples.

Record Label: Bucky Ball Music
Style: Vocal