MINASIAN, DAVID - SOUND OF DREAMS (FEAT. HAYWARD, HACKETT & HASLAM)

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Continuing our policy of featuring only the very best in new Symphonic Prog Rock, here's a MAJOR example of exactly that from this US-based musician!

For David Minasian’s 2010 debut album: ‘Random Acts Of Beauty’ we said… “If you’re a Symphonic Prog fan, or even better still, a CAMEL, MOODY BLUES, early to mid GENESIS, YES, RENAISSANCE, BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, STRAWBS, MIKE OLDFIELD, JETHRO TULL, melodic PINK FLOYD and early KING CRIMSON lover, then there is going to be a lot in this new CD for you to indulge yourself in”
Everyone who bought that ‘Random Acts Of Beauty’ album was in agreement, and now after ten years in the making, comes the follow-up that features a line-up of “A” list guests to help him along the way.

David Minasian has spent his career dividing his time between the worlds of music and film, because as well as being a huge fan of symphonic rock by the likes of the MOODY BLUES and CAMEL, he is a well known composer and video director who has penned hit songs for film and directed over sixty films and DVD's, including CAMEL’s highly acclaimed concert DVD: ‘Coming Of Age’.
David Minasian’s lush keyboard orchestrations, soaring melodies and extended length compositions on his 2010 ‘Random Acts Of Beauty’ debut album were firmly rooted in the classical Symphonic Prog-Rock tradition and heavily influenced by the sounds of his favourite artists and bands.
There’s a definite emphasis on melody and dynamics, not to mention lots of good old Mellotron sounds!

So, what is this 2nd David Minasian 2nd offering: ‘The Sound Of Dreams’ like?
Here’s a track-by-track overview for you…
‘The Wind Of Heaven – Prologue’ features a Justin Hayward vocal and it’s a beautifully melodic song that could pass as a MOODY BLUES ballad!
‘All In’ is six minutes of superb symphonic rock that falls into the CAMEL / MOODIES / RENAISSANCE / early GENESIS bracket with sweeping electric guitars, Mellotrons and loads of other keyboard stunning work.
‘Faith - Hope – Love’ is a sensitive instrumental from flute, keyboards, guitar and bass that slowly blossoms onto one full-blown symphonic workout.
'Sound Of Dreams - Parts I-III’ is a near eleven-minute 3-part epic piece that features an Annie Haslam vocal in Part I, Billy Sherwood on Part II and Steve Hackett’s electric guitar on Part III. It’s a highly melodic, well-written piece where the sound of Annie Haslam's vocal tones set are set over vast ranges of Minasian's keyboard and guitar flourishes for the fist passage, bringing her RENAISSANCE time to mind. The 2nd section is a little YES like due to a Rickenbacker style bass sound driving the keys and guitars along. Steve Hackett's distinctive electric guitar soars throughout the 3rd passage over seas of Mellotron sounds and other textural synthesizers.
‘Road To Nothingness’ is a slow paced keyboard rich song with a Minasian vocal arrangement. Hackett-esque guitars are evident during the central instrumental passage, and then the music becomes very early-mid period GENESIS like in the later stages.
‘Room With Dark Corners - Hold Back The Rain’ in another ten-minute plus track that features Julie Ragins on vocals during the 1st part. This is a slightly faster paced song initially driven by strummed acoustic guitars, keys, bass and drums. There’s a hazy central instrumental section packed with atmospheric effects before flute and piano / keyboards bring in Minasian’s sensitive vocal part set over Mellotron strings and heartfelt Hackett-esque electric guitar solo for: 'Hold Back The Rain'.
‘Twin Flames At Twilight’ at just over thirteen minutes is the album’s longest track, and it opens with beautiful acoustic guitar solo passage before a flute melody emerges followed by lush flourishes of Mellotron. David’s vocal finally arrives at the four-minute mark and brings with it a really nice melodic undertow to the music. Fuzzed electric guitar is added as the pace moves p a few gears and the feel becomes much rockier in style, with multi-layered keys filling the space left by the electric guitar - all very Prog-Rock and fiercer than anything on the album so far.
The instrumental mayhem comes to a halt just past the eight-minute point where acoustic guitars and Melloton offer a more sensitively arranged theme that's very reminiscent of GENESIS in style and topped with singing electric guitar. Majestic keyboards intro the final part with David's vocal shrouded in a very "MOODIES / BJH" style Mellotron sound towards the close where added layers of majestic synthesizers provide a fantasy farewell.
‘So Far From Home’ features ALAN PARSONS PROJCT vocalist PJ Olsson bringing his voice to a ballad with a big hook that would easily fit snugly into an APP album for sure, with a fantastic keyboard arrangement and central guitar solo ... this song has it all!
‘The Wind Of Heaven’ – Epilogue’ is near ten-minute alternative working of the opening track and now features Annie Haslam instead of Justin Hayward on vocals, providing a lovely symphonic finale to ‘Sound Of Dreams’. The closing instrumental two minutes are epic, with Hammond organ, Mellotron and electric guitar taking the track on high towards its final moments.

It’s been a long time coming since 2010’s ‘Random Acts Of Beauty’ but definitely well worth the wait.

‘The Sound Of Dreams’ is released on 11th September 2020.

Also available by DAVID MINASIAN …
RANDOM ACTS OF BEUTY (2010 Album Remastered with a Bonus Track in 2020) CD – Stock # 2204828

DAVID MINASIAN: SOUND OF DREAMS Track List:

Track List:
01. The Wind Of Heaven - Prologue [feat. Justin Hayward] (8:30)
02. All In (6:23)
03. Faith - Hope - Love (3:32)
04. Sound Of Dreams: Parts I-III [ft: Annie Haslam (I) / Billy Sherwood (II) / Steve Hackett (III)] (10:44)
05. Road To Nothingness (6:04)
06. Room With Dark Corners [feat. Julie Ragins] - Hold Back The Rain (10:39)
07. Twin Flames At Twilight (13:42)
08. So Far From Home [feat. PJ Olsson] (5:15)
09. The Wind Of Heaven - Epilogue [feat. Annie Haslam] (9:57)

TPT – 74:46