Vermont's Independent Voice
Browse Home
Browse News + Opinion
Browse Arts + Life
Browse Food + Drink
Browse Music
Browse Movies
Browse Events
Browse Classifieds
Browse Personals
Unrepentant lounge lizards who thrill to Muzak might want to check out Rick Gravelin's Amore Moments, which his press release calls "easy listening Latin feel work." To my ears these 15 tunes are vaguely Euro-sounding — there are plenty of Salsa-esque rhythms, but that faux accordion jibes with the painting of Venice on the CD cover. While this jazz-lite collection is a far cry from the zany brilliance of Mexican composer Esquivel, it is often delightfully cheesy, thanks to the MIDI-derived bass, drums and miscellaneous "instruments.” Gravelin, a musician, composer and owner of South Burlington studio RCS Productions, contributes acoustic grand piano and guitar along with said electronics. Melodically the tunes are simple and often repetitive; my favorites are the melancholic" L'Amore Eel"; and the wistfully pretty "Swim With Me." Gravelin's guitar work is crisply picked, his piano on the lithe side. The sound overall is clean, and the feels range from silly ("Mexican Clam Dance") to soothing ("Monk Fish"). Did I mention all the titles relate to marine life? Gravelin shows his serious side on the exit: "North Atlantic" is a delicate, elegiac piano solo that leaves the formaggio behind.
More by Pamela Polston
About The Author
Pamela Polston
Bio:
Pamela Polston is the cofounder, coeditor and associate publisher of Seven Days.
Pamela Polston is the cofounder, coeditor and associate publisher of Seven Days.
Speaking of Music, albums
-
Half Lounge to Reopen in August
Jul 20, 2017 -
Julia Child Opera Comes to Hardwick, With Cake
Jun 28, 2017 -
Playtime: Tuned In Promotes Intersectional Feminism in Vermont Music
Jun 23, 2017 -
Playtime: hope all is well
Jun 9, 2017 -
Two Opera Companies Bring the Arias This Summer
May 24, 2017 - More »
Latest in Album Review
Recent Comments
-
Ann-Marie Lilley: The tag on this article for Ben is spelled incorrectly. It says Ben Durham, but should be "Ben…
Re: Album Review: Ben Dunham, 'Backline Collective'
- More »
