This is prog rock with some operatic vocal fancies in the vein Rick Wakeman or Annie Haslam’s Renaissance. Instrumentals and more pop-tinged singing will remind the most discerning of some hidden gems like Cyrille Verdeaux’s Clearlight Symphony, Pavlov’s Dog, Gnidrolog (Lady Lake), etc. Add jazz that could be heir to Return to Forever, or some other Chick Corea stuff and you start to get the idea behind this Tunnel to the Moon by Madra Vaca.
The group is based in Jacksonville, Florida, and clearly draws from the extensive repertoire of “art music” from the 20th century (classical, jazz, and prog rock). The “rock opera” colour that the album takes comes from the strong presence of an elaborate vocal score and a narration rich in effects and atmosphere changes. But where the plot differs from works of this genre is in the strong inclusion of jazz episodes, in the hard bop/fusion style, to which are added the lyrical, operatic voices of Rebecca Shorstein and Monica Pasquini. The crossover, although often reminiscent of certain prog treasures signed by the aforementioned groups, and many others, diverges significantly to assert a distinct personality.
Two other singers from the group are behind this psychedelic, even surreal journey. It is said that the vocalist and librettist, Charlie Shuck, dreamed (or had a vision induced by hallucinogenic substances, who knows…) of clouds in the sky opening before him, revealing a path leading to the Moon. From there, he wrote a vast poem tinged with science fiction, fantasy, and symbolism, on which his friend Benjamin Shorstein wrote music that ranges widely, in expressive terms. It is sometimes even hallucinatory, in narrative terms (“The fractals are infinitely infinite, setting my brain to dust…“). Elsewhere, it is typically American, in its vicarious religious aspirations (“But you must believe if you want to see“) and which end up getting on one’s nerves, especially from a Canadian or European perspective.
Fortunately, the generally playful music compensates for these few flaws with sincere pleasure. And even though the stylistic sources are numerous and disparate, the fusion works thanks to Shorstein’s very personal idiomatic writing. The genres intertwine naturally, without abruptness, without cuts that would give the impression of a patchwork quilt artificially amalgamated. Some truly great work from a genuine prog-rocker, connected both to academic knowledge and the instinct of an improvising musician.
Madre Vaca – Tunnel to the Moon deserves careful and kind listening from curious music lovers.
Charlie Shuck – Voice
Rebecca Shorstein – Voice
Monica Pasquini – Voice
Benjamin Shorstein – Voice
Jarrett Carter – Guitars
Jonah Pierre – Piano, Keyboards
Thomas Milovac – Upright and Electric Bass
Milan Algood – Drums
Carlos Rodriguez – Percussion
Lance Reed – Trombone
Molly Sweet – Clarinet
Abigail Gruber – Violin and Viola
Percussion:
Jonah Pierre – Elephant Bells, Shakers, Glockenspiel
Carlos Rodriguez – Congas, Bongos, Maracas
Benjamin Shorstein – Suspended Cymbal, Frame Drum, Chinese Crash Cymbals, Gongs, Elephant Bells, Triangle
Charlie Shuck – Elephant Bells
