Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The purple electric violin never sounded better!, 4 Nov 2006
Ed Alleyne-Johnson's music is difficult to fit into a category, being as it is, an instrumental electric violin crossover of rock and classical styles, played in his own inimitable way. Although he has penned many of his own compositions (the 'Purple Electric Violin Concerto' being possibly his magnum opus), his last album 'Echoes' was made up entirely of covers of popular tunes. This new album treads similar ground, being favourite songs of Ed's from the 1970's but what an amazing collection of covers they are!
Track one, Pink Floyd's 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' weighs in at around a hefty 13 of the album's 62 minute total and is probably worth the price alone. It is instantly Floyd yet also Alleyne-Johnson in equal measures. The technique he has of making the violin sound like an electric guitar never ceases to impress.
Bowie's 'Life on Mars?' is the next to receive the Alleyne-Johnson treatment and a nice version it is too. A particular favourite of mine, Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir' follows and doesn't disappoint. The original benefitted from its string arrangement and naturally seems at home here as Ed manages to create a full-on orchestral treatment with strings and guitar-sounding violin dipping then soaring to create a wall of sound. Marvellous. 'Without You', made famous by Nilsson, though written and also performed by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger, might at first thought, seem an unlikely next track but it works, with the plaintiveness of the original maintained by emotive violin work.
Three rock classics follow, Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Freebird', the Lynott/Moore 'Parisienne Walkways' and Deep Purple's 'Child In Time'. The 'guitar', alright, violin, is awesome on these tracks with the solo on 'Child In Time' being particularly memorable and leaving this reviewer breathless.
The penultimate track, Focus' 'Sylvia' is another of those times when you'll find yourself wondering how a violin can simulate an electric guitar so well.
The last track, Neil Young's 'Like A Hurricane' brings us more back to Ed Alleyne Johnson's traditional style, though is still recognisable as the classic song and another showcase for this musician's amazing talent.
The respectful treatment of each track also shows how much Alleyne-Johnson reveres the originals, in my opinion,
In closing, this is a wonderful album made all the more so by the fact that it is the work of one man, ably assisted by mandolin, bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards, a computer and a 5-string electric violin.
Highly recommended.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
unique, 3 April 2008
I've snapped up all of Ed's work as it has emerged, beguiled by the multi-layered sound he produces. The latest work is no different, being a set of first rate covers which are different enough to make me think they're not covers at all but interpretations under a similar title. However, you will know which songs they are - there's enough of the originals there to generate some hauntingly familiar melodies in your head. I heard Ed play songs from this album live in York yesterday - he was busking in the City centre - yes, honestly - and he sounded amazing with the sound resonating amongst the old stone buildings. He and Mike Oldfield stand out for me as individuals with a unique artistic vision. Long may he run.............
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Reflections reviewed., 16 May 2009
Ed is a first class musician, a weaver of dreams, glorious textures and a biting edge that combines exquisite string playing with the punch and growl of top class electric guitar sounds perfectly combined, both moving and joyous, a triumph. Well done Mr. Ed.
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~ Ed Alleyne-Johnson
~ Ed Alleyne-Johnson
~ Ed Alleyne-Johnson
~ Ed Allenyne-Johnson
~ Ed Alleyne-Johnson
