The flutist duo of Steve Markoff and Patricia Lazzara met years ago when Steve came to Patricia for lessons. Over the next five years, that teacher-student relationship would slowly morph into one of fellow artists and colleagues, culminating in Steve’s appearance on Patricia’s 9th studio album, Radiance.
Now, just a little more than a year later, this Northern New Jersey-based tandem sees Steve Markoff (alto flute), Patricia Lazzara (concert flute), collaborating with Allison Brewster Franzetti (piano), to create their latest album, Timeless—Hits of Love and Hope From Pop, Rock & Soft Rock, an 18-track monster of an album which is loaded with gentle acoustic covers of iconic hits we all know and love.
“The idea behind the album was to bring flute music to an audience that ordinarily would NOT be listening to it. To do something truly different with flutes. I think that’s what was unique about it.”
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
Opening with a pair of transcendent pop-love songs, we have a soft and subtle take on Elton John’s Your Song, followed by Ed Sheeran’s Perfect.
Fans of the 70’s will appreciate the flutist interpretations of The Carpenters’s We’ve Only Just Begun, Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight, and Carole King’s So Far Away.
Note for note, and all backed by Allison’s perfectly complementary rhythm keys, are Tom Petty’s American Girl, The Beatles Yesterday, and Verdi Cries by Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs. At this point, let’s step back and realize that we’ve just witnessed a juxtaposition of classic rock, pop, folk, and alternative-rock into one seamless order. Can you honestly say you’ve heard something like this before? But wait…
On deck is 2017’s R&B/hip-hop jam, Havana by Camila Cabello, followed by Gordon Lightfoot’s classic and timeless If You Could Read My Mind, and a fantastic showing of flute-improvisation on Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were.
The flute iterations of John Denver’s Annie’s Song (country-folk), Elliot Lurie’s Brandy (pop-rock), Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way (pop), and David Guetta’s Titanium (EDM), once again remove all genre-boundaries. There’s something about this instrument that mellows the harsh while simultaneously spicing-up the melancholy, bringing all sound to a mysterious balance.
The project comes to an utterly iconic ending with covers of The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody, Paul Simon’s American Tune, and Leonard Cohen’s epic Hallelujah. The notes ring true in honest nods of respect as the music comes to a close.
IN CONCLUSION…
Flawless execution. Mellow gold. Utterly pleasing to the sonic palette. A unique and artistic twist on 18 iconic songs we all know and love. Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara’s latest album, Timeless—Hits of Love and Hope From Pop, Rock & Soft Rock, delivers a soothing hour-long journey across a melodic plane of ambient sound. These flutists share the dance of sprites as Franzetti’s steady hand provides the melodic backdrop upon which the dance might occur. Fans of acoustic easy-listening acts will enjoy both the familiarity of the songs as well as the veteran musicianship and uniquity reflected in their execution. We look forward to their 2020 release of primarily new and original material, Romances In Blue.
BELOW: Listen to Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara’s album, Timeless, 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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