Johnny Parry Chamber Orchestra - An Anthology Of All Things
(Lost Toy Records)
 |
| Johnny Parry |
Release Date: 5th May 2014
It's not often that I get an
album that features opera and chanting monks* in the first few seconds but then
again it's not that often I come across an album as mind blowing and genre
defying as 'An Anthology Of All Things' by the Johnny Parry Chamber Orchestra. So
let me guide you through this new and eye opening experience, we'll start at
the beginning. 'Movement I (Things I Like About Myself)' is grandiose piece of
rousing, classically inspired and opera tinged music that, upon its climax,
leaves you expecting Muse to appear in your kitchen ready to bust out some
stadium sized rock. But they don't. Instead, we have 'Movement II (A Song For
Someone)' which starts with a music box style melody played out on a piano overlaid
with a choir of rich, honey-thick male voices before female voices and a host
of subtle instrumentation joins in and the song continues in a round.
Meanwhile, 'Movement III (Childhood Heroes)' (see free download link below) is
a contender for parent of the year theme tune assuming some TV company already
has this concept in production deep in the heart of Soho.
 |
| Johnny Parry Chamber Orchestra - An Anthology Of All Things |
The album, which seems an awfully
pithy title to give such a collection, finishes with two dramatic pieces.
Firstly, 'Movement VII (Enduring Memories From A Film)' plays out emotions
derived from great moments of film on a bed of luscious strings, voices and,
eventually, that singularly stunning Soprana. The final act of this drama is
the mammoth 'Movement VIII (Pilgrimage)' which lasts for around 12 minutes and builds
to a heart warming, soul stirring, hair prickling crescendo. 'An Anthology Of
All Things' is an utter triumph and I take my hat off to everyone involved.
From those who conceived of the day, all those who contributed creatively and
to those who approved the funding for this creative tour de force. This is a
great advert for so many things from community and collaboration to
open-mindedness and boundary-ignoring. Most of all, it's a great advert for the
power of music to unite, entertain and communicate - all it was ever meant to
do.
* I can't be sure they are monks but they do make you think
'holy cow'.
More information: http://www.johnnyparry.com/
Listen/Free Download: https://soundcloud.com/9pr/johnny-parry-movement-iii-childhood-heroes