Words Project III: Miniatures

Album Review

Sam Sadigursky's third Words Project taps into multiple sources of short stories, prose, and poetry, principally with music that floats and wafts like clouds in the sky. The leader sings a bit, plays many instruments, and is supported by fellow multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Michael Leonhart and a variety of different vocalists and guest instrumentalists. While techniques in making this miniature-based music are varied from overdubbing to natural layering, the effect is in the main ethereal or introspective, at times earthy, and generally reaching out from themes of humanity and the heart. Those who are poetry mavens will recognize the texts of William Carlos Williams, Carl Sandburg, Emily Dickinson, and beat generation icon Kenneth Patchen, but others are also worthy if not immediately recognizable. The most impressive singer here is Monika Heidemann, featured in many stacked-on tracks à la Steve Reich for David Ignatow's "Content," in a ritual mood with Leonhart for Sandburg's "Swirl," in the Native American waltz of Williams' "El Hombre" with a larger band, and in Sandburg's ethereal, pretty "To Know Silence Perfectly." Sunny Kim is the most well-known jazz singer and shows up on an actual song, Sandburg's "Wistful," and with Leonhart for Patchen's touching "Do Me That Love." Heartache, despair, and courage are some of the many themes sprinkled about this fascinating look into picturesque wordplay, heightened by the imaginative piano, electric keyboard, and woodwind surroundings provided by the clever, innovative, and tasteful Sam Sadigursky. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi