Oaksenham- Conquest of the Pacific
(Musea FGBG 4727)
Oaksenham- Conquest of the Pacific
(Musea FGBG 4727)
From Aural Innovations #39 (May 2008)
This is some pretty crazy music… Armenian Prog rock with flute and a
bit folky and then into speed metal stuff and back. They really keep you
guessing what will come next. Quite a few guests on the CD, with violin, intense
keyboard playing, bassoon, oboe, French and English horn, harp, and more. The
CD is split into two parts with part one (tracks 1-7) and the title track, Conquest
of the Pacific, making up pieces 8-12. The CD is instrumental but the flute playing
is a major part of this music. Well, what I wrote about basically described
the first two tracks. Elfy was a very beautiful short 1½ minute piece. The
Way Back Home is more classic rock again and the Jethro Tull influence is evident.
A lot of cool interaction with the horn instruments on this track. Talybont
begins with violin and is followed by bass and then the other instruments. Beautiful
music. On Reflection is really influenced by Ancient music. Time Out ends the
first part of the record and reminds me of if Kansas met Jethro Tull in a classic
rock battle… Now onto the main piece of this CD. It starts with Jester’s
Pipe and again very inspired by early music and features a bit of Velvet Green
from Jethro Tull. Marlin’s Jig features the harp and is another very beautiful
piece of music as it all really comes together with violin, harp and flute.
Across the Atlantic starts with the French horn and highlights the skills of
the players in this group. Quite amazing stuff. Golden Wind ends this CD and
starts with some nice harp but this track really builds up and rocks a bit.
All fans of Jethro Tull’s instrumental and early music inspired stuff
will love this band. Great CD.
Check out the record label web site at: http://www.musearecords.com
Check out the band web site at: http://www.oaksenham.com/
Reviewed by Scott Heller