Rozz Williams & Gitane Demone
Dream Home Heartache

As I have the pleasure and honor of writing this review, my ears are captivated by the suave voice of Rozz Williams singing "In Every Dream Home A Heartache": we are just at the beginning! Next to the PC, I have my copy of the album, autographed by Gitane Demone. She granted me her signature after the live performance of The Crystelles, held on 27/03/2009 at the Totem in Vicenza.

This record is, for me, an essential masterpiece, one of the albums I could never give up and never stop listening to, even though I know every single sound, every word, every sigh by heart. When this marvelous CD spins on my stereo, I am captured by the most beautiful and strong emotions, to which one is usually not accustomed. This music has accompanied many moments of my life, and perhaps this is why it is always so moving for me to listen to the tracks contained in the album that I am about to review. Or, it may also be because the two authors of such grace and wonder rank in my personal list of artists with a capital A whom I will love forever and ever. The fact is that what my ears are now listening to is one of the most beautiful albums ever released, a fusion of the genius of Rozz and Gitane, coordinated by the abilities of Marc Ickx.

This is a work atypical even in constitution: it resembles more an EP than a real album, as it is composed of seven tracks (of which, however, two are covers/rearrangements), plus two, if we may define them so, adaptations of pieces and moods present in the album. As I mentioned a little earlier, the disc opens with "In Every Dream Home A Heartache," a cover of the eponymous 1973 track by Roxy Music (one of Rozz's favorite bands). Compared to the original, the rhythm of the singing is slower, and, listening to Rozz's velvety voice, it almost feels like being wrapped in meters of silk. The presence of the saxophone has been eliminated and replaced with samples. The piece closes with Gitane's beautiful vocals and high notes. "These Vulnerable Eyes" is a track sung entirely and solely by Gitane Demone, to the notes of piano and accordion. "The Pope's Egg Hat" is, I believe, one of the most beautiful tracks in an album that appears to be like a treasure chest full of precious gems, among which it seems impossible to choose the most splendid, the most beautiful. All the ballads on this masterpiece are splendid, but I believe my favorite might be "The Pope's Egg Hat." The lyrics are profound and intelligent, like all the poems Rozz has written (because, in my humble opinion, they are not just simple song lyrics) and Gitane's vocal feats, especially in this track, are goosebump-inducing. We thus come to the second cover/rearrangement present in this authentic jewel: "Manic Depression." It is the famous piece by Jimi Hendrix, but with the lyrics modified and featuring new word insertions. The rhythm is not the same as Hendrix's song and here, the beautiful singing of Gitane Demone is enriched by Rozz's spoken words. The part spoken by Rozz: "I was awakened one night...and still there is no room for me" is an addition of his to the original (the same is present on "The Evil One" on the spoken words album Every King A Bastard Son), the same goes for when Gitane sings: "I think I'll go turn myself off...manic depression is headed my way" (these verses, however, were created by Gitane).

We continue with "Flowers," a track that certainly needs no introduction: all Rozz fans know the verses "forget me not or I'll forget myself" by heart. While "A World Apart" is a duet between the two protagonists of this record, accompanied by the melodious sound of an accordion, "Moon Without A Tear" is a track sung and arranged entirely by Gitane Demone. During listening, one gets the impression of being kidnapped and enchanted by the voice of one of the sirens of Homeric memory. This track will also become one of Gitane's splendid highlights: online, it is possible to find a video of Gitane, in a two-piece latex costume and dark sunglasses, singing "Moon Without A Tear" accompanied only by a guitarist, and although here the fairy-tale atmosphere gives way to different hues, the result is still highly effective. The album closes with "Dream Home Heartache (Reprise)," a special version, almost a reshuffle, of atmospheres already presented in the album. Those who, like me, own the Dark Vinyl Records version will notice that the CD also features a previously unreleased version of "Manic Depression": I am talking about "Manic Depression II," in which Gitane Demone's splendid voice dominates entirely, accompanied by the same piano from "Manic Depression," present as the fourth track of this album.

I would like to conclude the review by adding, as if it has not already been amply said, that this work is a rare pearl, like few can be found: intimate, profound, moving, and delicate. I hope that your ears too will one day be able to enjoy the splendid beauty contained in this handful of special tracks.      

Tracklist:

1 In Every Dream Home A Heartache

2 These Vulnerable Eyes

3 The Pope's Egg Hat

4 Manic Depression

5 Flowers

6 A World Apart

7 Moon Without A Tear

8 Dream Home Heartache (Reprise)

9 Manic Depression II