------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 1976 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Progrography http://www.connollyco.com/discography/patrick_moraz/story.html Review: Story of I By Dave Connolly Story of I Produced by Patrick Moraz Released on 1976 Progressive rock keyboardists, many of them trained in the classics, often go the route of program music on their own, creating complex concept albums that fall prey to convoluted plots. On the surface, Patrick Moraz’ Story of I fits that description: the “story” takes place in a huge hotel where guests exchange their life for the pursuit of pleasure, following the lives of a man and woman who accidentally fall in love while thus occupied. Throw into the mix all manner of musical styles (prog rock, jazz, Latin music), the painstaking personification of various instruments to drive the plot, and fourteen separate sections that connect the story seamlessly from point to point… well, you see the potential for this tower to topple over. And yet Story of I succeeds against overwhelming odds: Moraz’ keyboard wizardry conjures plenty of magical moments, from the opening “Impact” (which sounds like a saucer landing in a jungle) to a miniature battle between guitar and mini-moog on “Indoors.” Equally important, Moraz carefully scripts the action from piece to piece while ensuring that principle themes and sounds give the work a unifying structure. The liner notes, which look chaotic, actually reveal Story of I to be calculated art. There are even a handful of songs here, some featuring Patrick himself on vocals without ill effect, that break up the instrumental action nicely. The supporting musicians are outstanding, aiding Moraz in the pursuit of a new sort of fusion that draws from prog rock, jazz, and Brazilian music (Chick Corea may be the closest parallel). Although listeners might be expecting something along the lines of Rick Wakeman (and there are some moments where the two cross paths), Story of I is closer in construct to Tony Banks’ A Curious Feeling. However, Moraz aspires to (and achieves) much more here. In fact, Story of I may well be the keyboardist’s towering achievement. Ambitious in the extreme, engaging at every turn, this deserves a place among such impressive declarations of independence as Olias of Sunhillow, The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Voyage of the Acolyte. TRACK LISTING 1. IMPACT 3:28 2. WARMER HANDS 3:37 3. THE STORM 0:53 4. CACHAÇA (BAIÃO) 4:09 5. INTERMEZZO 2:49 6. INDOORS 3:44 7. BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES 4:01 8. DESCENT 1:43 9. INCANTATION (PROCESSION) 1:52 10. DANCING NOW 4:38 11. IMPRESSIONS (THE DREAM) 2:48 12. LIKE A CHILD IN DISGUISE 4:05 13. RISE AND FALL 5:34 14. SYMPHONY IN THE SPACE 3:07 All music and themes composed, arranged and conducted by Patrick Moraz. English lyrics by John McBurnie, French lyrics by Patrick Moraz. CREDITS PATRICK MORAZ -- keyboards, vocals, marimbaphone, additional assorted percussions, orchestrations JEFF BERLIN -- electric basses RAY GOMEZ -- electric lead and rhythm guitars VIVIENNE McAULIFFE -- vocals and additional lead vocals JOHN McBURNIE -- lead vocals ALPHONSE MOUZON -- drums ANDY NEWMARK -- drums Chico Batera -- surdos 1 Bezerra (with Birimbau) -- ripique Jean-Luc Bourgeois -- gongs and tam-tams Paulinho Braga -- tumba The Children of Morat, Switzerland -- vocals Claudio -- corte Auguste De Anthony -- acoustic guitar and additional electric guitars Doutor -- cuica Elizeu -- percussion Gilson de Freitas -- bateria Jorge Garcia -- tamborins Gordinho -- surdos 2 Hermes -- varios Jorginho -- ganza Luna -- percussion Marcal (with matchboxes) -- percussion Rene Moraz -- tap dance and castagnets Veronique Mueller -- French and additional vocals Nenem -- pandeiro Risadinha -- agogo "Professor" Jean Ristori -- cello and acoustic string bass, engineer Geraldo Sabino -- reco-reco Philippe Staehli -- tympanis and assorted percussions Wilson -- frigideira Chris "Snoopy" Penycate -- engineer John Pasche -- cover design Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com