Al Conti's New CD Scheherazade
author: Gena
AL CONTI
SCHEHERAZADE
Al Conti is a composer, arranger, producer and multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, acoustic guitar, violin, electronic keyboards and percussion. Conti has traveled widely and has lived in South America, Europe and the United States. As an actor, he has appeared on television shows including the daytime drama “As The World Turns,” in films, in numerous radio and television commercials, and on-stage in theatre productions in New York City, Philadelphia, Tampa and Buenos Aires. Born and raised in Argentina, Conti comes from a family of artists with notoriety in many fields. Conti, who has composed music all his life, put out his first album, Shadows, in 2006, and released his second, Poeta, in 2007.
Regarding the Scheherazade album, Conti says, “I grew up with the ‘Arabian Nights’ stories. Many of them have become famous all over the world: ‘Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,’ ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,’ ‘Sinbad The Sailor.’ But I was always captivated by Scheherazade, the woman who was telling the tales. Her story is just as fascinating as the ones she tells.”
The music is contemporary instrumental, or new age, with lots of ethnic world-music flavors stirred in, especially elements meant to evoke the Mid-East of a thousand years ago when sultans ruled the desert countries by controlling gold and spices rather than oil.
The melodies are quite simple, mostly with a piano in the forefront (sometimes entwined with acoustic guitar), but the arrangements and production create a thick, rich, layered texture that is highly enjoyable. Some tunes – such as “Dunyazad” and “Heart Triumphant” are soft and gentle and feminine – while others (“Shahryar,” “Gold and Spices”) are obviously tauter, more powerful and more masculine. It would seem that Conti’s background as an actor has served him well in the music world by making him more aware of telling a story with the notes.
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SCHEHERAZADE
author: Jose Gomez
Al Conti has done it again!!! His latest CD, "SCHEHERAZADE", is compelling, mesmerizing, intriguing and a must for your collection. He takes you on a wonderful ride with his melody and orchestrations that relax and transport you to place from where you don't want to return. With every CD release of his, I simply can not wait to hear the next one!! All I can say is: Thank you, once again, Al Conti!!!
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