PRESS | Giannotti Music

REVIEW and INTERVIEW from CLASSIC ROCK REVISITED

REVIEW from PROGRESSION MAGAZINE by JOHN COLLINGE

GIANNOTTI

The Great Unknown

2014 (CD, 57:53)

NORTHFORD PINES NPM 001

PROGRESSIVE ROCK/SYMPHONIC

RATING 15.5

Some important background:

Connecticut multi-instrumentalist/singer Robert Giannotti was a member of the now-defunt ’70s prog band Jasper Wrath, whose

drummer (Michael Soldan) joins him for this impressively wrought opus with five others contributing drums/percussion, vocals

and backing vocals.

With Robert leading the way on lead vocals, guitars, bass, flute, keyboards, percussion, programming and occasional drums,

the Great Unknown treads linear/melodic symphonic rock territory in richly flowing arrangements bearing hints of Camel, the

Moody Blues and Jethro Tull. Giannotti is an excellent singer, player, and composer of melodies that register addictively from

the first listen. He also writes enchantingly cogent lyrics, whose themes of inner/outer travels through time and distance impart

a wistfully poignant sense of wonder.

Acoustic and electric timbers are elegantly blended – voice, acoustic guitar and flute often at the fore against atmospherically

orchestrated backing. But Giannotti’s electric guitar work also emotes powerfully, as during extended lead solos on opener

“Intentions – Letting Go,” “Voyage,” and elsewhere. Dramatic symphonic crescendos fueling the 12-minute title track and

jauntily driving drum/flute/acoustic guitar work on instrumental piece “Corridor of Doors” further highlight this album’s appealing

dynamic breadth. Great tone-setting double-gatefold album art, too!

– John Collinge

PROGRESSION-The “Bible” of Progressive Music