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Review Summary: This is one of the most interesting conceptual projects I've ever heard. Probably it can be considered the culmination of Gardner's brothers. “Leonardo – The Absolute Man” is a very personal project of Gardner’s brothers, who created the musical project Magellan, and where all music and lyrics were composed by the creative Magellan’s man, Trent Gardner. If you’re familiar with the music of Magellan, you will know that Trent Gardner’s composition are not of the usual chorus and verse type of songs, but complex epics, with developing melodies and reoccurring themes. Their music is quite heavy and usually takes some time to grow on you. The same goes for this new project of both Gardner’s brothers.
This project is about the life of one of the greatest figures of the Renaissance period and one of the greatest men of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. This project represents a very personal point of view and a tribute of Gardner’s brothers to him. As we all know, Leonardo was an Italian polymath man, who studied a significant of different subject areas such as painting, sculpture, architecture, music, science, mathematics, engineering, anatomy, geology, cartography, botanic and writing. Leonardo has often been described as the archetype of the Renaissance man. He is also considered to be one of the greatest painters of all times, and perhaps he also can be the most diversely talented person that ever has lived. I completely agree with Trent Gardner’s idea that the life is unfair because some have everything and others have nothing. But for Leonard’s happiness, we can say that, in life, Leonardo had almost everything we can get from life.
“Leonardo – The Absolute Man” is a conceptual album with the format of a rock opera performed by a great constellation of progressive rock singers. The cast of the singers is very extensive and corresponds to figures who took part in the life of Leonardo. So we have in this musical project: James Labrie (Dream Theater) is Leonardo da Vinci. Davey Pattison is Ser Piero da Vinci, the father of Leonardo. Michelle Young (Glass Hammer) is Caterina, the mother of Leonardo. Lisa Bouchelle (Mastermind) is Mona Lisa, the subject of Leonardo’s favourite painting. Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery) is Giovan Francesco Melzi, a personal friend, companion and apprentice of Leonardo. Chris Shyrack (Under The Sun) is Ludovico il Moro Sforza, one of the powerful princes of Renaissance in Italy. Bret Douglas (Cairo) is François I the King of France. Josh Pincus (Ice Age) is Lorenzo de Medici, the man who ruled Florence. Steve Walsh (Kansas) is Bartolemeu Calco, the advisor of Sforza. Trent Gardner (Magellan) is Andrea del Verrocchio, the master of Leonardo. Robert Berry (Three) is Salai, the protégé and also the “adopted son” of Leonardo.
Beyond the singers, we have also the musicians. But when we look at the musicians we realize that Gardner’s “Magellan” Bros, Trent and Wayne, are who really conduct the whole work. So, the line up of the musicians on this album is Trent Gardner (keyboards and trombone), Wayne Gardner (guitar), Patrick Reyes (guitar), Steve Reyes (bass), Jeremy Colson (drums), Luis Maldonado (guitar and bass) and Joe Franco (drums and orchestral percussion).
“Leonardo – The Absolute Man” has eighteen tracks. Of all, there are ten vocal tracks and eight instrumental tracks. The structure of the work is like a rock opera. The characters sing depending on their roles and the music accompanies without too much protagonism. And I’m surprised to see Gardner´s great sense of the composition structuring different intensities depending on the moment. But mainly this album has lots of melody. Vocally, this is a stupendous project, and all the participants really shine in their solo spots. Sections that feature Labrie and Pincus together, and Walsh, Shryack, Baker and Douglas, are quite good. The Magellan stamp is always present, especially in the chorus sections, where the Gardner vocals are full force. The women of the group, Young and Bouchelle, also turn in fine performances as well. Musically, there are some neat keyboard passages, very orchestral sounding, and some heavy guitar riffs here and there, but this is mainly about the vocals and the story behind it. I’m sure it must have taken Trent Gardner a while to put this all together and find the right singers to fill each part, but the end result is quite polished and enjoyable.
Conclusion: First, a word about Magellan and Gardner’s brothers. Magellan represents the second wave of American progressive rock music. Gardner’s brothers always had a great fascination and admiration for the great values of culture. It can be seen with the choice of the name Magellan. Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães in Portuguese), was the name of a Portuguese navigator. He was the first man to complete the first circumnavigation around the world. As unfortunately the brothers are no more with us, here is my tribute to them. “Leonardo – The Absolute Man”, is an ambitious project, where the concept works very well. It has great music and lyrics and is a very well balanced and modern work. The choice of the singers was very good and they made a perfect rock opera. The complex compositions and arrangements may take some time to get into, but at least you won’t get bored. This is an album not to be missed.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 4.0
Here I'm with almost another unknown thing. This time with a work of Gardner's brothers. Gardner's brothers, Trent and Wayne, are two American guys who formed the prog band Magellan in the beggining of the 90's. With Magellan they made seven studio albums. The music of Magellan is prog rock with a touch of metal.
However, this project about Leonard is very different from usual Magellan works. This is more a rock opera about the life of Leonard da Vinci. It's a modern conceptual album with the participation of a famous number of great artists such as James La Brie and Steve Walch.
The brothers were very known in the prog community, especially Trent, he was an instigator of a large number of projects, bands, and supergroups and he was one of the most prolific members of the prog rock community. I talk in the past because it's not possible to talk more in the future. Unfortunatelly, both brothers passed away in the recent years. Wayne in 2014 and Trent in 2016.
So, here it is my personal homage to Trent and Wayne. It's true that they never made any masterpiece but they were abble to make some real interesting things during is unfortnatelly relativelly short prog path.
I hope you enjoy the album.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I saw right now that you put another review here. It seems another "strange thing", indeed. But it seems another interesting proposal too. I'll take a look to it later when I have some free time.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah, you're right. But I hope that it wouldn't be really a "strange thing". Uncommon, maybe, but I think it isn't really strange. I think it deserves some love for the prog lovers around the world. I hope you also like it. Tell me what you think later, dude.
Cheers.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
It makes me think of Lucassen's projects with all these guest singers and the opera rock with metal leanings. I'd like to try this, but I can't find a streaming anywhere, and also I don't download music anymore due to the viruses hidden there sometimes. I'm still hoping to find a place to listen to this album. Will take a look to Magellan as well.
Good review, bro.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
this album is already on the site as a 'Leonardo' album. This suits it more considering it's a sort of supergroup type project with various prog rock/metal figures, but I don't know if the other page can be removed or something.
Heard this a while back and thought it was just alright iirc.
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Sexy review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Jethro
Yeah, it has some similarities with Ayreon. About the streaming I can't help you, because I have a CD copy. But I really hope that you can listen to it. Anyway, you can check, I think six tracks, on You Tube.
About Magellan, maybe you can begin with "Impending Ascension" or "Hundred Year Flood", perhaps their most ambitious release, which was dedicated to the brother they lost in the Vietnam War.
Thanks, pal.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Croco
I didn't know that,man. But yeah, this is a very special project that fits better here than as an individual band. And I don't know if it's possible to delete it from the other place too.
I'm glad that your first impression was good. Did you have a streaming for Jethro?
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ Balls
Thanks, man.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I finally found the album on Spotify. It's presented as ''Leonardo - The Absolute Man''. Will probably listen to it tomorrow.
Cheers bro.
Nice to see you again, Crocodile ;)
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
nice to see you to Jethro. Took a little sput break, but I guess I'm back for the summer at least. And yeah listen to this I'm pretty sure you'll at least enjoy it quite a bit.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
After one spin, there is not much that gets my attention. Song writing is ordinary and the melodies are not memorable. Musicianship is solid though, but I don't know what to think about it yet, but I'm not impressed. I need another listen that I'll give soon enough.
Welcome back, Crocodile!
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Ok, Jethro. As I said, usually takes some time to grow on you. Anyway, I think prog metal and operas rock aren't properly your favorite cup of tea.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Not exactly, my friend. I like both metal (mainly prog metal) and opera rock such as Tommy by The Who, Jesus Christ Superstar and some works by A.C.T or Queen to name a few. I simply have a problem with this actual album. I think it's not enough inspired. There are few good moments, but it seems I can't enjoy a single song in its entirety. Album seems so long because of that. My favorite songs are ''Mona Lisa'' and ''Apprentice''. The instrumental break of ''Reins of Tuscan'' and its second part are also great. That's about it. It's probably a 3 for me. Sorry dude, it doesn't do much to me.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
But I think that once you wrote something about your son and the metal music and you expresed a negative feel about it, or something like that. By the other hand, when I reviewd "Into The Electric Casyle" of Aryeon you told me that you wasn't very sure abou Arjen projects and I presumed that you wasn't the greatest fan of operas rock. So, my friend it seems I misunderstood you and I'm very glad that you like also those genres of prog. My apologies. Soon I'll bring here albums of those prog genres
About the album, no problem. As you know I respect your point of view, as ever. And as you also know, the music wake different emotions and feelings in every human beings that depend even the different circumstances of our life. So, for me it's everything ok. But one thing is for sure. Someother times I'll bring to Sputnik more unknown prog albums and projects, henever I think they should be known, despite their quality, can be great or not.
As an example of that, today I put another unknown album here on Sputnik, but this time about of a good old friend of both. Tell me your opinion about it, soon as you can.
Cheers, dude.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Yeah it's possible that I talked about my son's thrash metal versus my softer prog metal. We don't share nothing in common when it comes to metal, except maybe for System of a Down and Rammstein. My son is so metal head that he's not very open to progressive rock. He digs Jethro Tull though.
As for Ayreon, all I mentioned in your Electric Castle thread is I wondered why I gave it a 3.5. (will give another listen)
Probably you're right, opera rock is not a top genre for me, but when the arrangements and the melodies are at the rendez-vous, I could ask for more.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Ok, now it's everything clear. Thanks pal.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Sorry but only now I have decided the rating of the album.
I like this project very well. There's a kind of cosmic harmony at play here. Because of its scope and innovation, The Absolute Man is atypical, even by prog rock standards. For open-minded fans of melodic prog, it is an emotional triumph. So, I'm with you. Great album and great job.
Continue your good work. It is becuase of you and Jethro, this time I disagree with you Jethro, that I became interested in prog rock. Thanks guys.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
No problem. I'm very glad that you liked the album, it seems that you and me are two exceptions, but I'm especially glad and happpy that my reviews and comments have woke on you the interest in prog rock music. And I'm sure that Jethro thinks the same. You'e always welcome.
Thanks for your kind words and support.
Cheers, dude.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
@TheIntruder, I have to say I thought you were a proghead from the start. I always associated your nick name to Peter Gabriel's song ''Intruder'' from his Melt album. I'm glad to give you some contribution into progressive rock. Good music is made to be shared, and e21 knows about it with his numerous reviews and knowledge about prog. Feel free to consult my lists which are mostly prog related. I also give you the link for Menawati's lists, a proghead member;
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/list.php?memberid=732486
If you don't mind Italian language, I recommend you to check out some Italian prog rock, such as Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM), Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Finisterre, etc...
Try this modern Italian prog album influenced by the 70's, done by a Finisterre member;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKOK_SxoguI&list=PLxq0NvHXVd_CRwNGsz0F09x_M90_dw99_
The recommendation is for you too, e21.
Cheers guys.
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