California, the orchestral rock project helmed by music industry legend Les Fradkin, returns with “Come Fly to Fall in Love.” And, like the rest of Les Fradkin’s capable, intricately composed catalog, “Come Fly to Fall in Love” is warm, hopeful, and always extremely comfortable in its own skin. Let’s talk about it.
Wait. Who does what?
Les Fradkin nearly tackles it all with the following and very prodigious list of classic and contemporary instruments:
Lead and Background Vocals, Starr Labs Clipper, Fender Bass VI, 12-String Electric Guitars, Acoustic Rhythm Guitars, Electric Oud, Piano, Mellotron (Strings, Choirs), Chamberlin (Vibraphone), and Drums.
Loretta Pieper Fradkin steps in with Lead and Background Vocals, and the introductory Telephone Vocal.
Listening…and talking about it.
“Come Fly to Fall in Love” is that usual – and gorgeous – blend of California summer rock/pop, deft, sizable orchestration, and just a touch of Eastern influence reminding one of The Beatles’ introduction to, and utilization of, self-enlightening psychedelia.
It’s about travel; about the accessible immediacy of escape and adventure. And more importantly, it’s about sharing that adventure with someone you truly care for. Someone you love.
And the above positivity is immediately expressed as the song begins with a lower, marching guitar arpeggio conveying a well-paced, peaceful determination. The verse leans a bit towards something mournful, but as we approach the chorus, a Mellotron enters with its heavenly, captured-on-tape chorus – a warm prism of airy vocals accompanied by Loretta Fradkin’s equally heavenly voice.
The song continues this structure before hitting a midsection featuring hovering vibes, and then returning to the chorus’s big blue skies by way of descending guitar notes.
The chorus continues, in all its cloud-captured majesty, before the song ends on a big, promising, feel-good chord.
But is it good?
When it comes to Les Fradkin and California, the real question should be, “Is it awesome like everything else he does?” And the answer to that is, of course, YES. It’s giant animal clouds, golden beaches, and calm, crystal blue waters for miles around. It’s the music of sunshine, of smiles, of hope, love, freedom, exploration, and ultimately, contentment. It’s creatively dense, smart, and aurally enveloping rock that sticks in your mind, and transports you somewhere permanently glimmering. It’s Les Fradkin at his finest, and always recommended.
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BELOW: Listen to Les Fradkin and/or California, and check out these projects on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter (er, “X”), and ReverbNation. Please support Les Fradkin and/or California by visiting his website, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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