CANNATA: MYSTERIUM MAGNUM

CANNATA

MYSTERIUM MAGNUM

© 2006 OXFORD CIRCUS MUSIC (837101149891)

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Classic Progressive , AOR Melodic Rock

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REVIEW FROM "DPRP" Dutch Progressive Rock Page 9 of 10 !

American-based singer/song-writer and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Cannata has enjoyed a long, if slightly sporadic, career. In the early days of the art rock movement, he formed the ProgRock band, Jasper Wrath which featured James Christian (House Of Lords). Signed to MGM Records, and with their first LP receiving rave reviews, they toured extensively before the oft-quoted 'musical differences' led to the band splitting in 1976.

In the 30 years that have followed, Jeff's output has run to just four albums under the Arc Angel or Cannata banners. The most recent, Tamorok came out on the Atenzia label in 2002 and stands as probably my all-time favourite progressive AOR album. Huge melodies, beautifully crafted songs and Jeff's fantastic vocals make this addictive listening. However, when I saw that he has waited just four years to produce the follow-up, I was at the front of the queue.

Mysterium Magnum, is a real tour-de-force that manages to draw together many of the elements from Jeff's career to date. Best described as a blend of ProgRock, AOR and melodic hard rock - this has barely been off my CD player for the past few weeks - and yet still manages to unveil new charms to me on each play! If you like your rock to encapsulate memorable hooks, great musicianship, progressive arrangements, thoughtful lyrics, and a great mix of atmosphere and energy, then you have come to the right place.

Superbly played and written, there are plenty of classic 70's type arrangements but with an impressively modern feel to it all. Jeff plays a good amount of the instruments here, but there are more than a dozen guest musicians mentioned in the credits.

The opener Spirit of the Four Winds has a wonderfully catchy melody, as well as an assortment of keyboard and synth textures from both Jeff and Jay Rowe. I'm a just a sucker for the catchy, delicate hard rock melody that is the focus for King Of The Mountain (think Winger), or the more ballsy hooks that dominate Wanted: Dead or Alive (think House of Lords).

But it's the later track Life:101, which probably provides the best example of what this album has to offer. It has a great rocking melody, but around that, the music constantly changes pace and mood with dozens of small instrumental breaks, adding huge layers of interest. It's amazing what you can pack into just over four minutes.

In sharp contrast Somewhere Beyond The Sun, is one of the album's most progressive pieces, mixing up elements of Jethro Tull, Kansas and Glass Hammer. Flutes, guitars, and synths all take turns to force the song into different territories, before being brought back home by Cannata's soaring vocals.

And it's the vocals that provide the icing on the Mysterium Magnum cake. Really distinctive voices, able to drift effortlessly from tender heartbreak to belting power, are few and far between - but Jeff Cannata has it all in abundance.

Elsewhere, the balladic 4:17 [California] allows Jeff to show off his lyric-writing with a polemic on life in the colourful American state, whilst Promise You Heaven reminds me of the stripped-down, vocal-led AOR that featured so heavily on Tamorok.

Book Of Ages has a beguiling folk meets majestic rock sound not unlike early Magnum, while the two-part Kali Allah has some wonderful synthesizer and flute melodies that converge into a meeting of Jethro Tull and ELP - in the Middle East. There's only one track that fails. The prog-meets-electronica of French is just too out of place.

And it all comes wrapped in an impressive digipack containing great artwork from Ioannis. Mysterium Magnum really does provide a captivating listen.

If you're getting rather bored of the same old tried-and-tested names appearing at the top of the DPRP end of year poll, then this is an album, that if enough people are prepared to try something new, really deserves to be there. Cannata has the potential to appeal to a huge cross-section of people, especially those who enjoy accessible, melodic, progressive rock.

There are samples of every track, plus a video and details of how to get this release from the classy Cannata website. It will certainly be in my top ten at the end of the year. Love it! Love it! Love It!

Conclusion: 9 out of 10

ANDY READ

2006, When it comes to the subgenre of "progressive AOR" there is one name that almost immediately springs to mind, that of musician/producer Jeff Cannata. The AOR classic Arc Angel from 1983 is hailed by many as one of AOR's finest moments. Jeff's solo albums Images of Forever (1988) and Watching the World (1993) are melodic masterpieces (sadly both are out of print). Tamorok takes material from those releases, gives them new life via remastering, adds a host of new material and ties it all up into a musical package that exceeds the term "first rate". Now in 2006 CANNATA releases ‘MYSTERIUM MAGNUM’ the follow up to “ Tamorok” a Special Edition 6 panel Digipak w/ 16 page Booklet.........You won’t be disapointed !

reviews

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  • cannata mysterium magnum
    author: Tom Liddell

    I purchased this for my son-in-law who is delighted with the music and quality of the disc. I haven't listened to it; I don't suppose I ever will! However, your company should be thanked by me for the perfect service I have received from you. I would most certainly use your website on future occasions if additional products are required by members of my family. Once again, many thanks for all your assistance in obtaining this product.

  • Essential AOR Progressive Music
    author: RON HERNANDEZ

    No sense of elaborating on this if you know music in the AOR Progressive type. Just be please with Jeff Cannatas work. Very excellent!

  • mysterium magnum
    author: jean-paul de loose

    great cd one of his best

  • Marillion-like
    author: Eric Rhodes

    Very good prog! Man it's great finding gems like this.

  • This cd was breath of fresh air for me!
    author: ozzman

    This cd was breath of fresh air for me! Prog/AOR/POP or what ever label you might want to apply, the bottom line is this cd has classy, catchy songs that stick in your head long after you have turned off the cd. Go buy it now!

  • it's a great album with many influence
    author: huub

    There are a lot of variantions in his music. Sometimes i hear jethro tull, boston, styx. It's just a great album that only getting better the more you hear it. Greetings from Holland.

  • symphonic roots of Jeff Cannata flourish
    author: René

    Because of the compact guitar-solo’s, flawless harmony-choirs and refrains which leave a lasting impression, the work of Jeff Cannata with Arc Angel and Cannate was often described as typical AOR. Despite that, his roots lie in the symphonic rock, which showed his first serious band Jasper Wrath. These symphonic roots are an important starting point on Mysterium Magnum, which takes shape directly in the eight minutes lasting opener Spirit Of The Four Winds. The characteristics mentioned in the first sentence are still present for sure in this piece of art, which is critical of the social structure, but they are integrated now in more complex compositions, in which the instrumental passages create extra dramatics and eloquence. Somewhere Beyond The Sun, a new version of a progressive Jasper Wrath-song, which was previously only available as a live and demo-version, also exceeds the eight minutes-limit this way. The multi-instrumentalist, who is accompanied by a couple of excellent musicians, falls back to old repertoire two more times. He recorded a beautiful new arrangement of King Of The Mountain, Arc Angel’s most strong song, from which album the powerful Wanted: Dead Or Alive was also updated. These performances show another difference between Mysterium Magnum and Cannata’s albums from the eighties. The somewhat clinical production, with drums which sounded a bit mechanical, has been replaced by a warm sound, in which the drums come through very naturally and the acoustic guitar gives the entirety a rich sound. This revision of old material could draw attention on hardened nostalgia, especially when you add to this Life: 101, full of longing to musical times long gone (CSN&Y, Jimi Hendrix, etc.), but Cannate has his feet firmly in the 21st century, which is being proven by a perfect, high tech production, full of details, and the techno-like, instrumental French (with a sampled voice of Catherine Deneuve). This is being underscored by amongst others the critical arrows directed to the politics in the United States of America in the impressive Tears Of America.

  • The year 2006 brings us Mysterium Magnum - without doubt his finest work to date
    author: DBSilver Proggnosis.com

    Published on: 15 May 2006 Jeff Cannata's output has always been a progressive influenced AOR style that is strong on melody and easy to enjoy. From Jasper Wrath through Arc Angel to simply Cannata he has demonstrated a knack for melody and quality. The year 2006 brings us Mysterium Magnum - without doubt his finest work to date. In every way on this recording Jeff Cannata has exceeded himself. This album is more progressive, more forceful musically, more powerful yrically and more 'timely' than his previous efforts. The music of Supertramp and Manfred Mann Earth band define some if this category's best best examples, "Prog-influenced AOR" is an underappreciated label. Some bands such as the two just mentioned have been able to transcend the boundaries of this sub-genre to become bands that proggers are very fond and respectful of. 'P-AOR' is music that rocks, sounds good, and is singable and memorable. Mysterium Magnum is all of these things and more. The progressive quotient is high through most of this CD (certainly more than most bands in this category) and brings to mind mind the output Manfred Mann's Earth Band (Watch), Jethro Tull (TAAB/APP), and John Miles (Zaragon). The sound quality and performance levels are 'major-studio/high-budget' crystaline. Cannata's voice is in excllent form (I am occasionally reminded of Chris Thompson). Harmonies are wonderful and melodies are contagious. Cannata's guitar playing and layered keys/synths are outstanding as well. I have been wearing out the groves in this CD. All of the 13 tracks are very very good. Though they are separate and discrete tracks the listening experience is one of flow and continuity. Trying to list highlight tracks is simply not practical - on each listen I find something that impresses me and moves a particular track to the highlight list. Mysterium Magnum is a lock for a place on my best of 2006 list. If you have ever in the past liked mainstream prog (from Manfred Mann to Supertramp to Kanasas to Styx) don't miss this release. It is very rare these days when someone hits the jackpot but Jeff Cannata has done just that.

  • Renowned guitarist and songwriter, performing inspired lead guitar, and amazing
    author: Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

    Cannata or could be "Jeff Cannata", a multi- instrumentalist/ composer whose main instruments are guitar, keyboards and drums with a strong vocals. He is the main musician behind other bands with years of hard work and, a renowned guitarist and songwriter, performing inspired lead guitar, and amazing tasteful keyboard, creating a strong and spiritual atmosphere into the compositions. Cannata has a brilliant collection of instrumental arrangments that are 'heady' enough for any Prog lover, containing lots of different styles and references such as Progressive Rock, Symphonic Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock and Neo-Prog Rock, where the result is a strong otherworldly music, featuring a fascinating journey into a very cosmic sounds. The album "Mysterium Magnum" is performed in real perfection, where all the themes make this album truly a haunting and hypnotic experience. If you like "Jethro Tull", "Yes", "Caravan", "Saga" "Journey", "Kansas", "Styx (into the age of Crystal Ball and Grand Illusion)", "Roger Water" and "Jadis", you will love Cannata. Brilliant, fantastic and an amazing release, highly recommendable...

  • Cannata or could be "Jeff Cannata", a multi- instrumentalist/ composer whose mai
    author: Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal (Brazil)

    Cannata or could be "Jeff Cannata", a multi- instrumentalist/ composer whose main instruments are guitar, keyboards and drums with a strong vocals. He is the main musician behind other bands with years of hard work and, a renowned guitarist and songwriter, performing inspired lead guitar, and amazing tasteful keyboard, creating a strong and spiritual atmosphere into the compositions. Cannata has a brilliant collection of instrumental arrangments that are 'heady' enough for any Prog lover, containing lots of different styles and references such as Progressive Rock, Symphonic Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock and Neo-Prog Rock, where the result is a strong otherworldly music, featuring a fascinating journey into a very cosmic sounds. The album "Mysterium Magnum" is performed in real perfection, where all the themes make this album truly a haunting and hypnotic experience. If you like "Jethro Tull", "Yes", "Caravan", "Saga" "Journey", "Kansas", "Styx (into the age of Crystal Ball and Grand Illusion)", "Roger Water" and "Jadis", you will love Cannata. Brilliant, fantastic and an amazing release, highly recommendable...

  • Rediscover american progressive-rock.
    author: Sergio C. Laurinavicius

    I must confess: I knew Cannata few days ago. I think I lost a lot of time because as I saw, Cannata makes good music from a long time. Mysterium Magnum is a CD that let me rediscover the american progressive-rock, forgotten by me since the old times of "Styx", "Kansas", etc... It's a great record: beautiful songs, great instrumental solos and harmonies, magnific cover art. What more can I say? I loved it too much! As we say here (Brazil),in portuguese: "Do cacete!"

  • Now this came out of the blue, a new album from the man behind some of my favori
    author: AOR Dreamzones

    Now this came out of the blue, a new album from the man behind some of my favorite records namely Jeff Cannata and he seems to have hit gold again with this cd. How would you describe the sound of Jeff Cannata's music ?, aor / prog, rock all three well probably yes because this album encompasses all these styles while throwing bit's of jazz and even folk into the mix and then reforming all those genres into these wonderful song's. I have always loved Jeff's voice and it's this that initially makes an impact on your senses, he has that storyteller quality to his vocals, which makes you want to listen to his song's, it also help's when you have an album filled with great track's like Mysterium Magnum has. Played with old friend's and new, the track's on this album weave a musical path that leads you from the opening song , the epic Spirit Of The Four Wind's through what seems to be a personal journey for Jeff Cannata ( read the lyrics ), song's of love , song's against war, song's about God, each of which is a work of art in itself, if you check out the song Tears Of America you will find out just how personal this album is to the man . You will also find two old friend's on this album newly recorded versions of King Of The Mountain and Wanted : Dead Or Alive both of which fit in perfectly with the other song's on this album, plus their re-recording and new arrangements have worked wonders for both of the song's. This album will delight fans of old and bring in a whole new bunch of Cannata freaks and if one of the big European labels signs this up they will have a winner on their hands, can't say more than I love it. 90/100 Ian Johnson

  • Queen?!
    author: Fred Lessing

    OK, havenm't got the CD yet, but the samples on the Cannata site have been playiong non-stop for several days. Each single sound is amazing - even though I'm a die-hard prog fan, this album hits home in a very special way, maybe especially because the vocals sound so much like Roger Taylor of Queen (put finally in a likable context, Mr Taylor being the one Queen guy whose voice always annoyed me, while here it soudns SO right!)...??

  • American-based singer/song-writer and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Cannata has enj
    author: Andy Read Dutch Progressive Rock Page

    American-based singer/song-writer and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Cannata has enjoyed a long, if slightly sporadic, career. In the early days of the art rock movement, he formed the ProgRock band, Jasper Wrath which featured James Christian (House Of Lords). Signed to MGM Records, and with their first LP receiving rave reviews, they toured extensively before the oft-quoted 'musical differences' led to the band splitting in 1976. In the 30 years that have followed, Jeff's output has run to just four albums under the Arc Angel or Cannata banners. The most recent, Tamorok came out on the Artenzia label in 2002 and stands as probably my all-time favourite progressive AOR album. Huge melodies, beautifully crafted songs and Jeff's fantastic vocals make this addictive listening, but for some reason the album never seemed to get the attention it deserved. However, when I saw that he has waited just four years to produce the follow-up, I was at the front of the queue. Mysterium Magnum, is a real tour-de-force that manages to draw together many of the elements from Jeff's career to date. Best described as a blend of ProgRock, AOR and melodic hard rock - this has barely been off my CD player for the past few weeks - and yet still manages to unveil new charms to me on each play! If you like your rock to encapsulate memorable hooks, great musicianship, progressive arrangements, thoughtful lyrics, and a great mix of atmosphere and energy, then you have come to the right place. Superbly played and written, there are plenty of classic 70's type arrangements but with an impressively modern feel to it all. Jeff plays a good amount of the instruments here, but there are more than a dozen guest musicians mentioned in the credits. The opener Spirit of the Four Winds has a wonderfully catchy melody, as well as an assortment of keyboard and synth textures from both Jeff and Jay Rowe. I'm a just a sucker for the catchy, delicate hard rock melody that is the focus for King Of The Mountain (think Winger), or the more ballsy hooks that dominate Wanted: Dead or Alive (think House of Lords). But it's the later track Life:101, which probably provides the best example of what this album has to offer. It has a great rocking melody, but around that, the music constantly changes pace and mood with dozens of small instrumental breaks, adding huge layers of interest. It's amazing what you can pack into just over four minutes. In sharp contrast Somewhere Beyond The Sun, is one of the album's most progressive pieces, mixing up elements of Jethro Tull, Kansas and Glass Hammer. Flutes, guitars, and synths all take turns to force the song into different territories, before being brought back home by Cannata's soaring vocals. And it's the vocals that provide the icing on the Mysterium Magnum cake. Really distinctive voices, able to drift effortlessly from tender heartbreak to belting power, are few and far between - but Jeff Cannata has it all in abundance. Elsewhere, the balladic 4:17 [California] allows Jeff to show off his lyric-writing with a polemic on life in the colourful American state, whilst Promise You Heaven reminds me of the stripped-down, vocal-led AOR that featured so heavily on Tamorok. Book Of Ages has a beguiling folk meets majestic rock sound not unlike early Magnum, while the two-part Kali Allah has some wonderful synthesizer and flute melodies that converge into a meeting of Jethro Tull and ELP - in the Middle East. There's only one track that fails. The prog-meets-electronica of French is just too out of place. And it all comes wrapped in an impressive digipack containing great artwork from Ioannis. Mysterium Magnum really does provide a captivating listen. If you're getting rather bored of the same old tried-and-tested names appearing at the top of the DPRP end of year poll, then this is an album, that if enough people are prepared to try something new, really deserves to be there. Cannata has the potential to appeal to a huge cross-section of people, especially those who enjoy accessible, melodic, progressive rock. There are samples of every track, plus a video and details of how to get this release from the classy Cannata website. It will certainly be in my top ten at the end of the year. Love it! Love it! Love It! Conclusion: 9 out of 10 ANDY READ

  • Brilliant Again
    author: Mattias Soderberg

    Yet another masterpiece from the master of Melodic rock with brilliant new songs and a couple of great songs from former bands that has had the opportunity to have Jeff as a member. I would highly recommend everyone to buy this album.

  • Brilliant album
    author: Tom

    Highly recommended, another great album by Jeff Cannata with a brilliant re-recoding of his Arc Angel hit "Wanted Dead Or Alive". The only minor downside for pure AOR listeners: A few tracks are so prog/experimental that they not exactly fit in the overall flow of the album. As for the rest, I wished Jeff would not wait another 5 years for the next album ;-) BTW: Buying experience at CDBaby was exceptionally good!

  • Former Jasper Wrath and Arc Angel multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Jeff Cannata re
    author: Pete Pardo

    Cannata: Mysterium Magnum Former Jasper Wrath and Arc Angel multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Jeff Cannata returns with his follow-up to 2002's Tamorok. This latest release, titled Mysterium Magnum, is an enjoyable slice of progressive rock and AOR material, expertly played and written, with plenty of classic 70's type arrangements but with a modern feel. Jeff plays a good amount of the instruments here, but he does have many guest musicians helping him out throughout the album. If you like your prog rock with hooks, symphonic arrangements, intelligent lyrics, and plenty of gusto, you have come to the right place. Each and every song here is quite a lot of fun, but there are a few standouts. The opener "Spirit of the Four Winds" has a wonderfully catchy melody, as well as an assortment of synth textures from both Cannata and Jay Rowe. On "Somewhere Beyond the Sun", the album's most progressive piece, images of Jethro Tull, Kansas, Glass Hammer, and yes, Jasper Wrath, all come to mind. Flutes, guitars, and raging keyboards all come together beautifully on this one, and the piece has a plethora or complex passages and flashy solo parts, while Cannata's vocals soar and convey the thoughtful images. "4:17 (California)" is a catchy little number about the way of live in that great state here in the US, with poignant vocals and lush acoustic guitar & piano. On "King of the Mountain" and "Book of Ages" , you get lots of majestic and symphonic sounds not unlike the band Ten, complete with classy keyboards and punchy guitars. Prog meets electronica on "French", and the soaring "Reason to Live" has beefy lead guitars from Chuck Beckman and plenty of synths & piano from Cannata and Jeff Batter. For some neat Middle Eastern-meets-Jethro Tull-meets-ELP themes, check out the two part "Kali Allah" and "Reprise: Kali Allah" to hear some wonderful synthesizer and flute melodies. With a classy digipack booklet containing great artwork and full-lyrics, this is an all-around solid release from Cannata. Mysterium Magnum is sure to land on many Best AOR/Prog lists for 2006 when all is said and done. Track Listing 1. Spirit of the Four Winds 2. Kali Allah 3. Somewhere Beyond the Sun 4. 4:17 (california) 5. King of the Mountain 6. Promise You Heaven 7. Book of Ages 8. Tears of America 9. Wanted: Dead or Alive 10. Life: 101 11. French 12. Reason to Live 13. Reprise: Kali Allah

  • Excellent !
    author: Faust

    Always at the border of progressive and the aor, this new album is excellent, fills of environments and so particular atmospheres. Highly recommended for the fans of AOR and prog.

  • author: Faust

    Always at the border of progressive and the aor, this new album is excellent, fills of environments and so particular atmospheres. Highly recommended for the fans of AOR and prog.

  • JC has done a ton of great stuff, but having given this a spin a couple of times
    author: Nick C.

    JC has done a ton of great stuff, but having given this a spin a couple of times I would say this has to be his best so far. The sound has been updated somewhat - but no fear all the great keyboards and soaring harmonies are still in abundance. Parts of it even hark back to his old band Jasper Wrath especially parts of the fantastic track Somewhere Beyond the Sun. Life 101 and 4:17 (California) are immediate faves. French (kinda trancy feel)and Kali Allah (reprise) almost have an Ozrics leaning.

  • Great....
    author: Sid

    Jeff Cannata is one of those artist that doesn't produce a new album often but when he does you know it will be well worth it.Mysterium Magnum is the followup to the awesome Tamorok album.His music includes elements of classic rock,progressive,aor,melodic rock,new age and world music.His songs are well written and very memorable. Mysterium Magnum has a great introduction with Spirit of the Four Winds.Promise You Heaven is a stunning track that will definately stick to you.King of the Mountain,Wanted Dead or Alive,Life and Reason to Live continue to prove this is a worthy followup to Tamorok. Jeff Cannata's great vocals fit perfectly with this type music.If you are a fan of classic/progressive rock that really stands out then I highly recommend Mysterium Magnum and Tamorok.All I can say is "Thanks for the music".

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