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THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH
Tracklist: Gilgamesh; Uruk; We Are All One; The Fallen Star; Enkidu; Huwawa the Terrible; Inanna/Ishtar; The Bull of Heaven; Gilgamesh Laments for Enkidu; The Journet; Siduri; Utnapishtim and the Great Flood; The
Far Away; The Flower of Love; Lost in the Temple of Anu; The Followers of Horus.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the great legacies left to us by the ancient Sumerians who inhabited the area of Mesopotamia, now occupied by Iran and Iraq. First written down on clay tablets some 5,000 years
ago, with its origins going back even further than that, it is the oldest story known to mankind.
But for its rediscovery by nineteenth century archeologists - a tale which is another epic in its own right - the narrative would perhaps be unknown to us still.
It is beyond the scope of this review to go into details of the plot; instead I would urge you to check out Tony's superb web site. The story really has some of everything in it and it is interesting to note
that elements, such as the Great Flood, are well known to many of us due to their incorporation into the Old Testament.
The temptation to call this work a concept album is of course ever present, but in reality it is much more than this. The musical interpretation of the Gilgamesh epic is only part of the total experience, for
this CD really deserves to be listened to in conjunction with the companion web site. There one can find a far more in depth look at the story, the characters and the real history behind it - as well as some
interesting information about the making of the album.
Tony Garone, who has written the majority of the music and lyrics plays guitar and keyboards on many of the tracks and also provides most of the lead vocals.
He is supported by a wide range of musicians which has meant that it has been possible to include a very wide range of instruments on this project.
The method used for the recording of this album is perhaps unique, and Tony Garone describes the completed work as a 'Musical Quilt'. The package pulls together the talents of some 16 musicians, many of whom have
never met face to face, from 3 different countries and by using up to date internet technology they have produced a modern interpretation of an ancient story.
Never have old and new come together quite so convincingly!
The album consists of a total of sixteen tracks and, from the start, the attention to detail and the quality of the work is apparent.
The general style of the album tends to be rock oriented with a slightly folky edge to it at times and, as one might expect in view of the subject matter, there is also a distinctive middle eastern feel to many of the passages.
Two examples of this which struck me immediately are 'Uruk' and 'The Bull of Heaven'. In addition to the strong ethnic feel, these tracks serve well to illustrate different aspects of the music.
'Uruk' is a very restrained piece, using slow sensuous rhythms, and featuring haunting violin and effective backing vocals to add a mystical quality to the sound. By contrast, 'The Bull of Heaven' is a much faster paced track, kicking off with energetic drumming with insistent guitar work providing tension and creating a somewhat hypnotic mood.
As well as providing plenty of contrasts in terms of tempo, the album is one of constantly changing moods and textures. One example, the opening of 'Huwawa the Terrible', will strike the listener from the
outset as a threatening aggressive piece with its rolling drum patterns and the hard chanting vocals. At the other end of the scale 'Gilgamesh Laments for Enkidu' provides peace and tranquility with soft,
delicate instrumental work, and beautiful restrained flute work. The vocals here are well suited to the role and add warmth and emotion to the musical backdrop.
Indeed the vocals throughout are excellent. As mentioned previously, Tony Garone provides much of the lead vocal work but further lead contributions are also made by Jennifer and Ann Marie Garone, Marcie
Schreier and Mike Carr (sorry if I have omitted anyone) and the delivery is always clear, precise and showing conviction.
'The Epic of Gilgamesh' is certainly a most impressive work, made even more so by the fact that it is an independent release made without the benefit of record company backing. I would expect it to have strong
appeal for fans of softer rock and/or folk music, although hopefully it will attract a far wider reaching audience than that.
Whether you choose to regard Tony Garone's album as a stand alone work, or as a single piece in a much larger work, there is no escaping the fact that the end result is well worth the time and effort that have been
invested in the the making of it! It would be nice to think that people will still be reading 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' in another 5000 years time and, if they are, I rather hope they are doing so to this very
enjoyable musical accompaniment!
Simon 19th May 2001
Tony's web site has a number of MP3 files available for download if you wish to hear some of the music from the album for yourself.
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