Fjieri - Words Are All We Have (Reloaded) - 2023
“... take positively the path that destiny offers you ...”
intro
True connoisseurs of Italian quality prog probably have the album "Endless" by Fjieri in their CD collection. A project by Stefano Panunzi and Nicola Lori from 2009. A beautiful album that was released at the time in a Super Audio housing. This album has always had a special place in my music heart. So when I heard last year that a sequel had been made under the name "Words Are All We Have (Reloaded)" I set myself the task of trying to get the new album on my progVisions project. Fjieri, and actually all the solo albums of Stefano Panunzi, deserve that. In addition to all the top musicians who are now present, Jakko M Jakszyk is also mentioned as an important partner in addition to Nicola Lori. His characteristic voice leaves a wonderful mark on part of this once again beautiful album. Nicola Lori honors the memory of Mick Karn with his wonderful bass playing. The enthusiast now already knows what I'm talking about and if he or she doesn't have the album yet, he or she knows what his or her next purchase should be.
line-up
Luca Fareri - drums; Nicola Lori - bass, guitars, keyboards, drum programming, solo slide guitar, ambient guitar, frettless bass; Stafano Panunzi - keyboards, programming, loops; Mike Applebaum - trumpet; Jakko M Jakszyk - vocals, solo guitar; Christiano Capobianco - drums; Giampaolo Rao -drums; Angelo Strizzi - drums, programming; OSRic - solo guitar, slap bass; Nicola Alesini - sax; Tim Bowness - vocals; Daniele Lacono - drums; Gavin Harrison - drums
review
The album opens with the instrumental "A Sense of Lost" which immediately provides a calling card for the atmosphere of the album. A fairly relaxed atmosphere with beautiful instrumentation. Nicola Lori's bass playing stands out to me. This is because it is reminiscent of Mick Karn (Japan), who died much too early. But he is also responsible for intriguing guitar work that goes well with the drumming of Luca Fareri (one of the several talented drummers on this album) and the beautiful keyboards and orchestrations of maestro Stefano Panunzi. In the next track "The City Lights" this musical palette is expanded even further with the beautiful vocals of Jakko M Jakszyk and the atmospheric trumpet of Mike Applebaum, which together with that characteristic bass creates a jazzy atmosphere. This song has an even more relaxed atmosphere than the opener, beautiful.
"Before I met You" which also features vocals by Jakko M Jakszyk, has a slightly higher tempo and has more instrumental excesses. Especially if you listen carefully to the guitar parts. While the melody lines of the strong vocals bring everything into balance. A little bit like Fjieri meets King Crimson, but different. "Not Waving, but Drowning" brings back the relaxed atmosphere. A beautifully sung ballad with atmospheric instrumentation. The trumpet and bass occasionally give that wonderful jazzy feeling. It is one of the small diamonds that you can find on this beautiful album. "It Would All make Sense" has very nice vocal melodies and a Fripperian solo guitar. Just when you think this song has some King Crimson influences, the atmosphere changes again and you are treated to a nice synth solo. One of the few forays by keyboardist Stefano Panunzi, who usually only plays for the compositions, but who is Fjieri's driving force.
Most of the compositions on this album are by Jakszyk, Lori and Panunzi, but the next track "Flame" (a cover) is noted as a Barbieri Bowness composition. However, the vocals are provided by Jakko M Jakszyk. Wonderful song where we can enjoy that beautiful Karn bass sound again. The slow "Sati" is a song where the OSRic solo guitar parts remind me of the work of David Torn. Furthermore, this song has some ambient atmospheres. The song "Hidden Ties" is sung by Tim Bowness as only Tim Bowness can do. His voice also fits this project very well. Beautiful melodies are added again. The next big name we encounter on this album is that of master drummer Gavin Harrison. He provided drums on the song "In The Blue Morning". A quiet and atmospheric song with strong vocals by Jakko M Jakszyk. Thanks to these strong vocals and his varied guitar work, he leaves a mark on this album. So it is right that he is mentioned as a partner on this album.
Of course "Oriental Dream" has some oriental influences. I now realize that this is not the first time. You should think of those Eastern atmospheres more like those atmospheres on those Japan albums. Furthermore, this track has a more jazzy character. This is of course also due to the sparse use of the sax. On "Zombie Love" the vocals are also very strong. But this actually applies to the entire album. But this is even more noticeable on the last part of this album. The most beautiful vocal melodies pass by again. While the instrumentation on this song is sometimes a bit more powerful and you can even hear a short synth solo.
Speaking of strong vocals and beautiful guitar work, "Damaged Goods" is another diamond on this strong album. I am slowly repeating myself as a reviewer, but you have already noticed for a long time that you should definitely give this beautiful album a chance. The album closes with the song "Those Words (Words are All We Have)". Perhaps the most beautiful song on the album. The second part of the album is very strong. You hear beautiful guitar work and beautiful keyboard orchestrations here. The piano in combination with Jakko's last vocals close this album in an appropriate manner.
conclusion
What a fantastic album this is. If you like atmospheric music with an often somewhat melancholic character, you should definitely give it a listen. An album with influences from Art Rock and Progressive Rock which sometimes has a jazzy vibe. And of course you can't go wrong with vocalists like Jakko M Jakszyk and Tim Bowness. Jakko M Jakszyk really shows his calling card here. He convinced me with beautiful vocals and beautiful guitar work. And if you love the music of Japan (Mick Karn) and King Crimson, this album might be an opening to an even bigger musical world for you. The beautiful musical world of Stefano Panunzi and Nicola Lori. You have been warned, this new Fjieri album is a beautiful album and an asset to any CD collection. Recommended by progVisions.