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the art of rock - progressive and uncompromising
Genre:
Rock: Progressive Rock
Release Date:
2000
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Robert Urban
godless
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Elegies
© Copyright-Urban Productions
(603801250720)
Record Label: Urban Productions
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This year 2000 CD release follows the 1997 critically acclaimed acoustic-rock debut "godless". Again, the multi-instrumentalist Urban performs all the vocals and nearly every instrument himself. Elegies combines elements of both heavy acid-rock and dreamlike balladic art-rock - and is laced throughout with orchestral, electric guitar & synthesizer textures.
As provocative & introspective as ever, an additional air of haunting reminiscence pervades all the album's lyrics & music. Notably, this recording has enabled Robert to stretch-out and experiment on guitar - be it electric, acoustic, synthesized, bottlenecked, wah-wah'd, or wildly overdriven.
Elegies consists of seven original songs, plus Robert's own novel, art-rock arrangements of works by 20th Cent "classical" composers Charles Ives, Albert Roussel & Oliver Messiaen.
The CD opens with a pulsating "one-love" anthem THE WAITING SONG, and includes two love ballads - JOEY SAILS AWAY & MY LOVE FOR YOU. The ultra-personal I'M ONLY HAPPY (WHEN I'M FREE) & THE RIVER are virtual autobiographies. The acid-metal TRAGEDY paints perhaps the bleakest portrait of humanity ever put to song. The melodramatic ELEGIE & MARCH OF THE FALLEN LOVERS, from a poem by Gallet, is sung in the original French. The Beatlesque J'ACCUSE points an angry finger at the destroyers of earth's ozone layer. The instrumentals SERENADE & LOUANGE, originally written for flute & violin respectively, are herein performed by Robert on electric guitar.
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ROBERT URBAN
Singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Urban was born & raised in Fairfield County, CT. He received a B.S. degree in Philosophy and Music from the University of Bridgeport, CT.
Moving to Manhattan, Robert began composing scores for an array of professional music, dance, theater and film productions. Also a session guitarist, vocalist & producer, he has contributed to the projects of many other musical artists and theatrical organizations.
Recently, Robert composed the music score for the internationally released film-documentary "Ticket to Freedom: Woodstock", which also featured original songs by Richie Havens. Music from his "godless" album is featured in the indie art film "Paradise Attempted" produced Resolute Pictures, Inc., released in early 2000. The film also includes music by new-age artist Enya. Most recently, Robert composed the instrumental musical score to the new Todd Russell/Alex Dove horror film "Dead Guys"(2002) and "Das Hause" (2003).
Robert owns & operates his own independent music production facility URBAN PRODUCTIONS, where he records both his and other artists? music. His work and a video of one of his songs was recently featured on Manhattan Cable Channel.
There are four Robert Urban CDs available - the 1997 critically acclaimed "godless"; the award-winning 2000 Elegies; the 1980s retrospective who i was (also released in 2000); and the new 2003 Rock Widow. Robert performs everywhere, including various outdoor music festivals, with his own progressive art-rock group - The Robert Urban Band.
Recent Career & Performance Highlights
- "URBAN PRODUCTIONS BOLDLY PRESENTS" - self-produced, ongoing concert series featuring new & established musical artists from all over the U.S.(hosted by Robert Urban)
- Winner - StoneWall Society 2003 "Pride Song of the Year" Award for DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL from the ROCK WIDOW cd. StoneWall Society 2002 "Pride Song of the Year" Award for THE WAITING SONG from the ELEGIES CD.
- Listed as one of ten IMPORTANT VOICES IN MODERN ROCK -Vol. 2, No. 3, March 2001 - THE PROGRESS REPORT
- Winner of Two 2001 OUTMUSIC OMA AWARDS
1. Outstanding Live Performer of the Year
2. Outstanding Recording ("Elegies")
- Nominee - 2001 NY Regional INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD presented by The MUSIC RESOURCE GROUP organization and sponsored by THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS
- National Tour (including performances in Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia) (1996 thru 2000)
- U.S. Music Festivals - NYC Pride Festival (2001), Brooklyn Pride Festival (2003) Connecticut Pride Festival (2001 & 2002), Atlanta Pride Festival (2000), Virginia Pride Festival (1998)
- LADYFEST 2002 NYC Festival
- listed in "Award Winning Men" 2002 book.
For more information visit:
www.roberturban.com
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this album is from the category of those memorable masterworks that make our lif
author: VITALY MENSHIKOV - PROGRESSOR Uzbekistan Progressive Rock Pages
ELEGIES REVIEW - 7/1/03 - Above all, I must say that I am very much impressed with “Elegies” – as much as I was with Yes’s “90125” when I heard it for the first time. In fact however, there is nothing in common between the music of Robert Urban and that of Yes; I use this comparison to give you an idea of an effect that this album has on me.
Even though it’s stylistically almost as diverse as “Rock Widow”, this is by all means a very coherent album, and Robert’s great compositional, performance, and producer capabilities are here especially evident. He easily works with different styles, and the changes of a musical direction on the album occur gently and fluently.
The music on the first three tracks here: The Waiting Song, I’m Only Happy, and Joey Sails Away represents a fusion of both of guitar and symphonic kinds of Art-Rock with a classic approach to instrumental Arrangements.
A brilliant, truly progressive hard rock song with elements of Symphonic Art-Rock is presented on Tragedy (4), and a confluence of both of these
genres is what The River (5) is about. Beginning with Serenade (6), which is a piece of Classical Music, the music becomes more complex and more keyboard-oriented with the amazingly inventive passages of piano and a string ensemble at the forefront of arrangements. Robert is a true multi-instrumentalist, and his solos on keyboards – especially those on piano and organ – are as virtuosi as those on guitar and bass.
All three of the following songs: My Love For You, J’accuse, and Elegie (7, 8, & 9), the latter of which was performed in French, contain too few repetitions to be regarded as Classic Symphonic Art-Rock, though they are all highly original. Finally, the stylistics of another instrumental piece on the album: Louange (10) is in my view nothing else but Urbanistic Classical Music, though the coincidence with the name of creator of this album is just accidental.
Conclusion: Each of the songs presented on “Elegies” is the product of genuine inspiration. Like a pleasant greeting from the past millennium, this album is from the category of those memorable masterworks that make our life richer in positive emotions -
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ELEGIES is a moving and brilliantly produced album!
author: Jeffrey L. Newman - New York Blade News
ELEGIES is a moving and brilliantly produced album - weaving elements of pop rock, acid rock and dreamlike balladic art-rock. To his credit, Urban manages to stay true to the genre, while not taking away the soft elements that made "godless" so intoxicating.
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Urban's guitar work is something to behold!
author: Gregg Shapiro - Outlines Magazine, Chicago
Further proof of just how wide-ranging the scope of gay male music can be - Urban's guitar work is something to behold!
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I quite enjoy it. Thanks for the great CD!
author: Ed Hurst - Program Director - Yurstunes Radio
I have ELEGIES rotating in my playlist. My channel is one of 6 on The Progressive Rock Radio Network playing it - and in fact, I quite enjoy it!
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