We’re inching closer and closer to the release of the new Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara album. Set for release in June, this prolific flute duo has done a remarkable job building anticipation around their upcoming 15-track project, premiering a host of dynamic singles to excite their fans over the past few months. On 4/30 they made the next single from this project available, this time presenting us with a wholly imaginative cover of the iconic Clapton tune, Layla.
Together as always with pianist Allison Brewster Franzetti, the track opens in recognizable gentle Markoff & Lazzara style, but this time with a jazz/blues element in the forefront. The flute is, of course, not the instrument most think of when picturing a jazz rendition of what originally was a rock track. But as we’ve come to expect from these two, it works incredibly well in this instance, paring down the driving intensity of the original and replacing it with something more mysterious and nuanced. In fact, the precision in their performances actually serves to even further highlight some of the track’s more dissonant moments at times, creating added tension and depth. On the whole, it is a soft, inviting interpretation of an iconic classic rock piece, showing off their performance skills while keeping the thematic feeling of the original intact.
It almost goes without saying at this point, but the talent of both flutists performing on this track really cannot be overstated. There are so many examples of this to point to in this track alone – take for example the intricate, expertly timed flute harmonies or the breathy, delicate interpretation of the track’s guitar solo. The chemistry and unity these two always seem to embody in each of their performances is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and being able to do so on contemporary pop and rock pieces rather than the traditional classical works we often expect to find these instruments performing adds yet another level of impressive skill and intrigue.
We’re all but counting the days to the release of By Request – because we simply cannot wait to see what Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara do next. Their unbridled creativity backed by expert-level musical performance makes each and every release a captivating, truly entertaining work of art that even the most casual listeners will no doubt wholeheartedly enjoy. This rendition of Layla is all but additional proof of these things – a masterful, inventive, truly artistic performance through and through.
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BELOW: Listen to Layla and connect with their website and social media platforms. Please support Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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