H R H - R E V I E W S

Erik Norlander
Hommage Symphonique Think Tank

Comments: The name Norlander conjures up images of Vikings plundering helpless villages and sounds of neo-classical guitar heroics. While Norlander may have some old world Viking blood running through his veins, he is American-born and his fingers where blessed to grace the ivories.

Norlander has had quite a busy year in '06, writing, recording and producing studio releases with his band The Rocket Scientists on Revolution Road, Lana Lane's cover CD Gemini as well releasing the DVD Live in St. Petersberg. His latest project, which has been being released simultaneously with Lana Lane's new CD, is called Hommage Symphonique and features progressive rock cover songs from bands near and dear to his heart.

Now Norlander is a keyboard player; for some rock fans that can be a turn off but if you listen to the recent Hardrock Haven interview with Norlander you will find that he is virtuoso composer who has been influenced by the '70s prog-rock pioneers. Synthesizers and keyboards play a dominant role in his musical compositions.

Paying tribute to lineage of great prog-rockers, Norlander (k) along with Gregg Bissonette (d), Don Schiff (b) Mark McCrite (g) and with Kelly Keeling (v) go about recreating and reinventing eight timeless prog-favorites from bands such as ELP, ELO, Yes, Rick Wakeman, King Crimson, Procol Harum and Jethro Tull and Chuck Mangione. Norlander takes the production a step further by adding an ensemble of acoustic instruments. This group features Jon Pappenbrook (trumpets flugelhorn), Eric Jorgensen (trombones), Mike Alvarez (cello) and David Schiff (woodwinds).

What the group of musicians delivers is lavish recreation of classic rock songs that heralded a symphonic redirection of musical ideas in the '70s and '80s. Definitely a time for exploration and inner reflection, Norlander, takes his creative genius and rediscovers the musical journey once reflected by these classic prog-rock bands on vinyl ages ago.

Although this is a grand adventure and daring undertaking, fans of this type of progressive rock will truly love to hear the updated take on these timeless classics. Progressive metal fans will have a hard time adjusting, simply because this music is not about guitar-dominant progressive music. If you throw your musical prejudices aside, there is a bit musical insight for all music lovers and Hommage Symphonique is quite an interesting listen.

Musicians:
Erik Norlander (k): keyboards
Kelly Keeling (v): vocals
Gregg Bissonette (d): drums
Don Schiff (NS/Stick, bowed guitar, contrabass)
Mark McCrite (g)
David Schiff (woodwinds)
Mike Alvarez (celli)
Jon Papenbrook (trumpets, flugelhorns)
Eric Jorgensen (trombones)

Track Listing:
1. Conquistador (Procol Harum)
2. Sir Lancelot and the Black (Rick Wakeman)
3. Turn of the Century (Yes)
4. Pirates (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
5. Clasp (Jethro Tull)
6. King of the Universe (Electric Light Orchestra)
7. Children of Sanchez Overture (Chuck Mangione)
8. Starless (King Crimson)

Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10