Search - Jade Redd :: Rivers of Stone

Silk and Shadows

medievalcrusadesbabe | Ohio USA | 03/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a well produced CD. The compositions by James Briggs are above board, picking a plateau from which Madalena projects her unique style. There are melodies that will haunt your dreams, and lyrics that will stick with you long after the music is over. And it will be her voice you will hear. The vocal style of Madalena has been compared to many modern female singers, but none really describes the deep, rich tones or the lush expressiveness of her voice. She has a great range and the music makes the most of her versatility. She works her own harmonies, again utilizing her flexible range of voice. This makes her stand out in the crowd.



The compositions are mostly guitars and piano, but there are flutes and pan pipes, with some great electronic fill that gives the music a fullness that suggests an orchestra. Very well produced by Jay Ferguson.



So we put these elements together and we have a CD that should be part of any good rock collection. Good enough to be nominated for a Grammy. And while Madalena may be compared to Evanescence or a "darker" Madonna, she maintains a style of her own, making her unique and desirable in my opinion. She also has some back up from James Briggs on a couple of tracks, which only enhances the vocals.



Most of the tracks on this CD are winners, which again is unusual for new music these days. The mood is sultry and hanging on the edge of silky darkness. We have songs about loneness or broken relationships. We have eternal love songs or songs of eternal longing. The one track One More Dance seems more pop in feel. Fortunately the mood is not broken by this one track, and we immediately fall back into the sleek shadows left by many of the other tracks.



Outstanding tracks include the opening track Into the Night, a very dynamic composition; a dark take on the loss of innocence. The Siren has a very catchy chorus, and is about one heart lusting for another.



The title track Rivers of Stone features Madalena harmonizing with herself, having an almost Madonna feel to it but much more "Goth" than any Madonna material. Well orchestrated, driving beat with guitars, a beautifully haunting tune and again is about passion, lust and personal sacrifice for love.



Almost sacred in flavor is Mary Was Gone. It speaks of an experience that is spiritual in flavor, and the chorus evokes a religious event. Very mysterious, it is provoking and curious but beautifully executed with some powerful orchestration and lovely vocals.



If you have not experienced Madalena or the works of James Briggs, this is an excellent production to introduce you to Jade Redd. maf"