Kopecky - Orion

Year of Release: 2001
Label: M.A.C.E. Music, Inc
Catalog Number: 7-75047
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:34:00

After two self-produced albums, the American all-instrumental trio Kopecky thought it wouldn't be such a bad idea to show the world what they are capable of in a live setting. So without any overdubs, brothers Paul, Joe and William confronted a live audience on 1st April, 2000 as part of the Baltimore Progressive Rock showcase series as recorded at the Orion Sound Studios in Baltimore, MD. What strikes you from the moment "Temptation's Screaming-Ground" hits your ears is the crisp and powerful sound of the recording, which is not an easy task with this kind of complex music. It also sometimes is unthinkable that the music delivered is produced by just three people but then again think Rush. Or think Whistler, Courbois, Whistler, a Dutch instrumental trio who also introduced some Eastern influences in their music as does Kopecky at times. Certainly guitarist Joe has a very distinctive sound which blends well with the fretless tones of brother William as is demonstrated during "Smoke Of Her Burning." The often dark atmosphere of the band's music finds an ideal setting in Baltimore as that's "where the bones of Poe rest," introducing "Heaven's Black Amnesia."

My favourite off their Serpentine Kaleidoscope album, "Bartholomew's Kite," is also present and maybe it's the most recognizable out of the entire Kopecky output. Although it sounds like it's mainly the Kopecky brothers having fun, there's plenty to explore on this Orion, A Llive Performance, perfectly illustrating the power which emerges from the "sick" minds of these instrumental wizards. An ideal calling card if you have no Kopecky material in the house ... yet which might change rapidly once you've placed this powerful disc under the laser!

Tracklisting:
Tempation's Screaming-Ground (9:23) / Smoke Of Her Burning (3:58) / Scorpion (5:31) / Heaven's Black Amnesia (10:00) / Autumn Swirl (6:15) / Sky-Blue Hair (5:25) / Bartholomew's Kite (8:12) / Crimson Crime 2-1-3 (4:40)

Musicians:
Paul Kopecky - drums and percussion
Joe Kopecky - guitar
William Kopecky - bass and keyboards

Discography:
Kopecky (1999)
Serpentine Kaleidoscope (2000)
Orion - A Live Performance (2001)
Sunset Gun (2003)
Blood (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: September 29th 2002
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.kopecky.8m.com
Hits: 2259
Language: english