FERNANDO
Dreams Of The Sun And Sky (Domingo)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Fernando Viciconte arrived in Portland, Oregon, a few years back via LA and his native Argentina, and started cranking out indie albums with his band, Fernando, in a wide range of styles. Whether it's roots country, barrio rock or straight ahead barroom bash, every disc has been received warmly, because above any stylistic distinctions Fernando is a talented singer and a gifted songwriter.

This time around, it's a melancholy set of songs that draw from several points of influence, but ultimately leave you with no doubt about who the man's favorite Beatle is. The Lennon-esque qualities come up just short of adoring emulation at times, but there's all that confounded talent to be dealt with. Even when he seems to be deliberately aping his influences, Viciconte is just too graced with distinctive individual gifts to come across as anyone but himself.

There are a total of 13 other individuals on the album, with harmonium, cello, violin, autoharp, pedal steel and horns joining the standard lineup of guitars, bass, drums and keys. The result is never too busy, though, a testimony to the production skills of Viciconte and his studio accomplice, Mike Coykendall (who contributes autoharp, guitar, bells, harmonica, harmonium and vocals to the mix, as well). The majors keep nosing around Viciconte's doorway, and as long as he keeps pumping out albums as strong as this one, it's just a matter of time. Meanwhile, you can track this one down online. It's well worth hearing.

Track List:

The Jackal * Climb * Away * White Light * Blue Room * The Fly * Only One For Me * Greenfield * Killer Waits * Hold On * Fade Out

© 2001 - Shaun Dale