I AND THOU - Speak (2012)

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"Speak" is the debut release of Renaissance keyboardist Jason Hart's solo project I AND THOU. Hart is responsible for all keyboards, piano and orchestration work as well as the lead vocals and production.

A stellar list of guest musicians supports Hart on this album. John Gargano from IZZ supplies his unique bass lines, expanding the songs' chordal parameters and giving them a full low-end.
Other IZZ members contributes as well; Laura Meade with some backing vocals and Paul Bremner on guitars, together with Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright) on drums, Jack Petruzzelli (the Fab Faux, Patti Smith etc.) on guitar, plus guest appearances from Steve Hogarth (Marillion) on vocals.

"Speak" is a heady brew of progressive rock, art rock and rock&pop enriched with loads of symphonic & orchestral passages. The whole work is so ingeniously made and performed that it emits a refined quality able to almost entirely purify one's mind.
A great portion of the album is characterized by subtle keyboard tones creating the backbone for the compositions. Hart lays down plenty of keyboard and piano work, at times also branching off into Tony Banks territory due to beautifully arranged classical themes and melodies.
His singing is more so in the vein of Porcupine Tree, where a lot of cloudy lines are delivered softly over the slow-building soundscapes.

Trying to deal with each song separately is, for me, a waste of time in prog rock albums generally, so I'll just mention that the fifth song "Go Or Go Ahead" is a cover of a Rufus Wainwright tune and the great Steve Hogarth from Marillion gives his magnificent own touch in delivering it. Much like Hogarth's recent project with Richard Barbieri, the song features his unmistakable theatrical singing in a very minimalist sound environment, filled with rich layers of synth explorations, a subtle piano theme that runs beneath the central vocals and sweet acoustic guitars.
All the music in this recording contains a good dose of vintage keys mixed into more modern textures. The arrangements are sparse and built patiently; each progression takes its time to develop and the vocals and instrumentation are provided with beautiful contrasts.
Although all four tracks clock in at over 10 minutes, each piece segues into the next seamlessly and carries passages filled with reams of ebbs and flows.


For all practical purposes, on "Speak" you could possibly listen to just about every silvery sound imaginable embracing well-turned lyrics and stunning performances.
The motto of I And Thou is create mellifluous arrangements reminding you of Marillion, Genesis, Yes, IZZ, Renaissance and some more recent neo prog / art rock acts.
This CD should urge listeners to re-evaluate the definition of good music by comparing this work with others which allegedly have claimed a respectful place but not a well-deserved one.
Great piece of music.


01 - Speak
02 - And I Awaken
03 - Hide and Seek
04 - The Face Behind the Eyes
05 - Go or Go Ahead

Jason Hart - Vocals, Keyboards, Piano
Steve Hogarth - Vocals
John Gargano - Bass
Paul Bremner - Guitar
Jack Petruzzelli - Guitar
Matt Johnson - Drums
Laura Meade - Backing Vocals



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www.amazon.com/Speak/dp/B008LCMUT8