CD Details

ONE STEP UP…TWO BACK

ROUSSEAU
2008 , GERMANY - EURO 13.00

Label: MELLOW RECORDS

ALBUM REVIEW
It contains 8 tracks taken from their four albums and four unknown/new tracks. The difference between the first four songs and the rest of the CD is remarkable: pleasant, quite simply structured instrumental symphonic rock featuring lush vintage keyboards and warm fluteplay. I am carried away by the wonderful interplay between guitar, synthesizers, choir-Mellotron, Moog Taurus bass pedals and a Peter Bardens-like Hammond sound in Skylight, the warm string-ensemble sound, a howling guitar and a beautiful final part with tremolo technique on the classical guitar in Entrée, a fine intro with flute and piano, then lush eelctric guitar and flute and finally catchy guitar and synthesizer in Breakfast at Tiffany's and electric - and acoustic guitar overdubs, culminating in howling guitar runs with powerful organ in Windsong. After those four songs the sound is more modern and a bit more polished, nonetheless the guitar sound remains very moving (unfortunately no more flute) like in The Dance (in the vein of Steve Hackett with a fiery solo), Winter's Tale (a beautifully build-up solo, from sensitive to heavy) and howling runs in Northern Lights. Remarkably is the final composition entitled One Step Up: it sounds like a rock song delivering fluent work on organ, guitar and .. flute and also Steve Hackett inspired guitarplay. (E.Neuteboom)