Corinne Curcio Wing |
of riches - an
eclectic collection of pop tunes that dare to be more than just pop tunes.
Everywhere there's the sense of exploration - in song structure; orchestration;
vocal melody; cultural borrowings. I particularly like the Indian "Maharishi"
raga/mantra touches (as in the title song "Now") - complete with
flanged "sitar" guitar sounds - reminiscent of hippy-trippy-days gone
by. Additionally - almost every
song contains a little "classical" moment - where the music bids us to
pause for reflection, briefly showcasing a
pretty little cello or oboe fugue-like interlude... then BANG -
back to rock n' roll. This very Beatlesque trait shows how much Corinne
enjoys pushing the boundaries of pop.
In rockin'
tracks like "Scandal", one can hear flourishes of classic bands like
the original JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, LOVE, HEART, MOBY GRAPE and all manner of
summer-of-love groups. In addition to electric rock, NOW features more than a
few acoustic guitar-based songs. Corinne's
folkier fare is both poignant & bouncy - calling to mind such delicious
concoctions as the day-glo hits of HERMAN'S HERMITS, GARY LEWIS & THE
PLAYBOYS, SONNY & CHER and mid-period BEATLES.
In these charming ballads - I particularly enjoy the very Carnaby Street
"Ahhh's" and "La-La's" vocal backup harmonies (as in the
song "Lyrical Girl") - even Austin Powers would blush!
The guitar
work on this CD is meticulously well-thought-out.
NOW is an electric/acoustic lovefest of vintage guitar tones and REAL
PLAYING. I love the genuine tube
amp distortions so reminiscent of guitar gods like Jorma Kaukonen on VOLUNTEERS
and Eric Clapton on FRESH CREAM. Corinne's style of guitar improv & soloing
differs from the classical 60's long-jam-out approach in that she prefers
shorter, crispier lines that interweave and dart out from all sides.
She never over-indulges on her axe. Also a clever humorist, Corinne likes
to sneak in subtle tributes here and there (e.g. a wisp of the famous guitar
riff from DAY TRIPPER snuck into the song "Now").
Having hosted
Corinne at numerous URBAN PRODUCTIONS BOLDLY PRESENTS Shows and URBAN
PRODUCTIONS OPEN-WIDE open mics in the past, I've been able to observe her in
performance. Beyond the fine
musical ear & eye, she is also one of the most tactile guitarists I know.
Live onstage,
through song after song, she delivers her clear, clarion lead vocal straight out
to the balcony, never once looking at her hands (which are flying all over the
guitar neck) She's a
rock-solid player and knows exactly what she's doing.
And speaking
of singing - Corrine's inventive vocal melodies weave throughout her music in
giant arching phrasings - sometimes twisting chromatically, sometimes strident
& declamatory, sometimes legato & cool. One can hear the vocal stylings of the great ARTHUR LEE
of LOVE, and also HEART's ANNIE WILSON. And
I dare say - Corinne channels GRACE SLICK like no other - delivering NOW's
lyrics with the same kind of mystical intensity, all-knowing authority and
womanly pride.
A special gem
on NOW is the solo instrumental acoustic guitar piece THAT'S HOW A FEEL. This
virtuoso divertissement is as fine a piece, in every way, as similar genre
classics like BLACK MOUNTAIN SIDE by JIMMY PAGE;
TO MY FRIEND by LESLIE WEST; and the guitar work in CSN's SUITE JUDY BLUE
EYES. I can't believe some radio
host hasn't snatched up this gorgeous bauble as theme music for a regular
program.
The whole-lotta-love
grooviness of Corinne's work on NOW owes a special thanks to her collaboration
with co-producers, recording engineers & session players ZONNA (recently
deceased) & KEVIN HAINING. Zonna
& Kevin tapped right into Corinne's vibe. The fun these three kindred
spirits had in making this album comes right off the CD in the form of a most
listenable & amiable sonic contact high. Corinne
is also a member of the rock-comedy-group ESTROGEN
CORINNE CURCIO
- "NOW"
available at www.cdbaby.com
visit - http://home.earthlink.net/~corinne54
Music &
Arts Reviews by ROBERT URBAN published at:
www.stonewallsociety.com
www.gayentertainment.us
www.outvoice.net
www.raggedblade.com
www.roberturban.com
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