Turn

Neu und OVP! OH HAPPY DAY!-----This is like nothing else, it defies categorization. Viola is talented as both musician and artist (the cover art is from one of his paintings). At times sounding a bit like children's music (but not exactly), a little like Peter Schilling, like angels harmonizing, hints of tribal chants (a la Carly Simon's LET THE RIVER RUN), cool jazz, whatever it is I simply LOVE IT. It should be flying off the digital shelves. Buy it, listen, I think you'll be SO glad you did! One song, THE ORIGINAL MAN, has baffling lyrics about George Clooney and Nicholas Cage that I don't get, but I like it anyway. And when you need MORE of The Sad Song, you can find variations/remixes here:

Neu und OVP!
Medieval Psychedelia--------An introduction to an Artist with a capitol "A". I have only recently discover Fredo Viola but I already know him to be the consummate audio/visual artist. I'm not sure if all copies of "Turn" come with the DVD but, if not, it will be worth a search. The music is to nearly impossible categorize. The melodies are always strong, the lyrics intelligent without being cryptic. Since some of Fredo's other works are acapella, I sense that the voice is a major part of his musical approach. The instrumentation is quite varied but a good deal of it is electronic. I've never been one to agonize over whether a instrument is real or a sample. Who cares? It works and works beautifully. If I were to be asked to try and describe "Turn" the most accurate phrase I can think of is "Medieval Psychedelia".
The accompanying DVD with visuals for many of the songs on "Turn" as well as a few not on the CD are, for me, what really cements Fredo Viola as a contemporary Artist of the highest caliber. If you take the time to 'experience' the videos you will understand.
And please do not be intimidated by the use of the word Medieval. This is not troubadour music from the Middle Ages (although.....) it is rooted firmly in the 21st Century . And as I listened, eyes closed, on headphones I began to smell the frankincense as well as the sweet aroma of a thousand hookahs coming from across time. Majik indeed!

k.A.