Reviews: The Great Beyond
Arlequins: The Great Beyond – Review (IT)
Italy – The Great Beyond
Si tratta del quarto album per il tastierista danese Lars Boutrup, a cinque anni di distanza dalla precedente pubblicazione. Già attivo in compagini come Big Bang, Supernova ed Evil Masquerade, Boutrup è stato anche coinvolto nelle colonne sonore di alcuni film scandinavi. Per questo nuovo lavoro si è affiancato al batterista Spike Nior (anche lui nei Big Bang) e al bassista Niels Wilhelm Knudsen, insegnante di musica e in altri contesti anche jazzista.
I riferimenti apertamente dichiarati da Lars sono Keith Emerson e John Lord, ma non si può certo negare l’influenza anche di Ken Hensley degli Uriah Heep, oltre a guardare al prog di realtà olandesi come i Trace o gli Ekseption più rockeggianti, gruppi in cui militava il tastierista Rick van der Linden. Vi sono sicuramente spunti divertenti come quelli di “Mr. T”, in cui il classico trio formato da tastiere-basso-batteria dà il meglio quando il lungocrinito leader si cimenta col caloroso suono dell’organo, anche se la produzione risulta fin troppo “perfettina” e tutta l’atmosfera risuona decisamente algida, quasi da automa, tipo la disco-music di fine anni ‘70/primissimi anni ‘80. Certo, i contenuti musicali sono comunque di altro livello e non si vogliono far paragoni, ma le sensazioni sono spesso analoghe. Un qualcosa che emerge sempre di più man mano che passano i pezzi, a partire dalle successive “Whatever Mama Said” e “Dripping Cycles”.
Peraltro, le varie fasi sembrano costantemente sommerse da se stesse; non si fa in tempo ad abituarsi ad un determinato passaggio che subito si passa repentinamente ad un altro, magari già ascoltato in precedenza all’interno dello stesso brano. Un peccato, perché in alcuni momenti sembra si possa davvero toccare punti emozionalmente alti, almeno sotto un piano potenziale. Andando oltre “Jerry and the Suitcase” e “Invenzio” – volutamente scanzonata la prima e tendente all’effetto sinfonico senza alcun picco di intensità la seconda –, ci sono “Ich Will Tanzen” e la title-track che acuiscono quanto detto fino ad ora, forse addirittura con una maggiore estraneazione asettica vicina ai lavori elettronici di Jean Michele Jarre.
Ma si può dire ancora di più: “Ich…” vorrebbe probabilmente avere una tale giocosità che, inserita com’è in questo contesto quasi da trasmissione televisiva presunto-avveniristica, finisce per somigliare a musica da videogico, in alcuni tratti persino irritante. Nel mezzo, “Klavier Stück Für Freude” solo per pianoforte. Forse, il pezzo più convincente.
In definitiva, nonostante non vi sia nulla da dire sulla preparazione tecnica, ai brani sembra manchi qualcosa. Potrebbe magari servire una chitarra elettrica o qualche strumento a fiato, anche se vi sono state famose e/o amate band (Emerson, Lake & Palemer, Quatermass, ecc…) che hanno reso valida la propria proposta adoperando solo i succitati strumenti, esprimendo energia, calore e soprattutto capacità compositiva. Oltre ad un uso sapiente delle voci, questo va anche detto, perché in questo caso si sta trattando di un album esclusivamente strumentale. Probabilmente, i super appassionati delle tastiere prog lo apprezzeranno comunque, anche se non vi sono momenti davvero topici. Peccato, perché le potenzialità ci sarebbero tutte.
Reviewed by: Michele Merenda
Sea of Tranquility: The Great Beyond – Review (US)
USA – The Great Beyond
Lars Boutrup’s Music For Keyboards: The Great Beyond
I first became a aware of Danish musician Lars Boutrup a few years ago upon hearing/reviewing his third CD Small As A Ball. His latest album is titled The Great Beyond and joining Boutrup (organ, keyboards, synthesizers) again is Niels W. Knudsen (bass). Rounding out the trio is Spike Nior (drums, assorted percussion).
As you can probably surmise from the title, keyboards are the dominant instrument but are held together by a solid rhythm section. As with the last album there are no guitars present but the good thing is Boutrup is really quite a phenomenal player and is able to squeeze a variety of sounds from his instruments. The rather short “The Rising” begins the disc with a keyboard drenched soundscape, including some spacey textures. “Mr. T.” has a steady mid-tempo groove supporting Boutrup’s keyboard walls and a pretty decent melody as well. Some big organ sounds find their way in the rocking “Ich Will Tanzen” and “The Great Beyond” while the piano led “Klavier Stück Für Freude” is more mellow and introspective.
This is a good album, especially suited for keyboard lovers. I did miss the lack of guitar this time around as it would have certainly added a little more zest and complexity to the album as a whole. The excellent melodies do however make this a pleasant enough listen. Check out the artist’s website (link below) to investigate further.
Track Listing:
1. The Rising (1:33)
2. Mr. T. (6:24)
3. Whatever Mama Said (6:03)
4. Dripping Cycles (7:48)
5. Jerry And The Suitcase (5:14)
6. Inventio (4:14)
7. Ich Will Tanzen (5:43)
8. Klavier Stück Für Freude (3:09)
9. The Great Beyond (6:50)
Added: August 11th 2020
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score: 
Related Link: Artist’s Official Site
Language: english
Reviewed by: Jon Neudorf
Progwereld: The Great Beyond – Review (NL)
The Netherlands – The Great Beyond
Met het risico in herhalingen te vallen en van plagiaat te worden beschuldigd, wil ik graag een pakkend citaat van collega Dick van der Heijde uit zijn recensie van de voorganger van “Dit Grote Hiernamaals” als opening van deze recensie gebruiken:
“Boutrup is een buitengewoon kundige klavierridder die barst van de ervaring. Zo heeft de man al voor 200 stomme films de muziek gemaakt en tevens timmert hij hard aan de weg met de band Jeruda Music. Op zijn soloalbums gaat hij uit zijn dak in groovy instrumentale muziek die hij volstopt met veel dampende orgelpartijen. Dankzij een gedreven ritmesectie komt deze een beetje over als spacerock, maar in feite is de muziek dat niet, daarvoor staat Boutrup teveel met z’n voeten op aarde. Toch komt de term spacerock niet zo maar uit de lucht vallen. Je hoort namelijk veel herhalingen en weinig sfeerwisselingen. Tot zover het algemene plaatje.”
De laatste twee zinnetjes uit het citaat van Dick zijn vooral van toepassing op “The Great Beyond”. Bestond zijn voorganger nog uit composities met een kop en een staart, nu schitteren die ditmaal door afwezigheid. Misschien is dat wel logisch met een wijds thema als het grote hiernamaals.
De meeste composities op dit album worden volgespeeld met als basis inderdaad een dampende groove. De drums klinken erg groots maar naar mijn zin net iets te hol. Elke track dendert met de ingezette groove door zonder variatie of afwisseling.
Boutrup kan zijn Hammonds (of digitale equivalenten daarvan) lekker laten scheuren maar vergeet er krachtige melodieën aan toe te voegen. Het enige wat we horen zijn korte motiefjes die vaak worden herhaald met hoegenaamd geen variatie. Verveling ligt dan al snel op de loer.
Wanneer je zo veel op een Hammond rondscheurt liggen namen als Keith Emerson, Jon Lord en Ken Hensley natuurlijk al snel op de route. Zo ook in het Klavierstück Für Freude. Emerson-invloeden, maar nu in het pianospel, echter op gepaste afstand. Iets vergelijkbaars laat zich gelden in het volledig door elektronische toetsen gedragen Inventio. Het nummer lijkt een losse verzameling van toetsenklanken zonder enige muzikale beleving en samenhang. Jammer, gemiste kans, misschien toch nog maar eens goed luisteren naar Alaska van Eddie Jobson op “UK.”
Ich Will Tanzen lijkt een poging tot een komische noot die met zijn Popcorn-achtige klanken en eenzijdige ritme-basis nogal platvloers uitpakt. Ook daar zijn subtielere voorbeelden van te vinden. Wat te denken van The Unorthodox Dancing Lesson van The Flower Kings?
De titeltrack van dit album gaat weer verder op de in track één tot en met vijf ingeslagen weg.
Lars Boutrup weet zijn muziek goed te verpakken in lekker klinkende toetsen. Maar door te veel in dezelfde sounds en grooves te blijven hangen, gaat die muziek al snel vervelen. Het album lijkt dan al snel een showcase van zijn toetsenspel te worden, maar ook daarin ontbreekt de variatie en vooral de grote lijnen.
Reviewed by: Math Lemmen
DPRP: The Great Beyond – Review (NL)
The Netherlands – The Great Beyond
Back in the progressive rock scene of the 70s and early 80s, Patrick Moraz, Rick Wakeman, Duncan MacKay, and other artists recorded some great keyboard dominated rock albums. These types of recordings are more rare these days, which help to peak my interest in Lars Boutrup’s Music for Keyboards. His moniker is not at all misleading because the The Great Beyond is an extravaganza of keyboard playing from start to finish. Heavy emphasis is placed on synthesizers and organ with a sound that leans heavily towards classic era prog.
The album is fully instrumental and musically forceful without drifting into metal territory. Think Emerson/Wakeman style performances driven by heavy synth/bass/drum rhythms. Boutrup’s skills as a keyboardist are well on display, but the focus is on composition and melody rather than musical muscle.
Tracks such as Mr. T, Whatever Mama Said, and Jerry And The Suitcase are great examples of old school progressive rock with a bit of Larry Fast (Synergy) style synth work thrown in. There are also some effective breaks in the form of mellow piano and symphonic songs (Invento, Klavier Stuck Fur Freude).
The Great Beyond is a very enjoyable album for any keyboard aficionado, but also a satisfying listen for anyone who likes good, old fashioned, instrumental prog.
Reviewed by: Patrick McAfee
Backgroundmagazine: The Great Beyond – Review (NL)
The Netherlands – The Great Beyond
Lars Boutrup is a Danish keyboard player. So far he has released three albums as Lars Boutrup’s Music For Keyboards. Music For Keyboards came out in 2005. Followed by The Symphonic Dream in 2011. In 2015 he finally released Small As A Ball.
Now five years after the last album Small As A Ball, Lars Boutrup released his fourth work under the project name Music For Keyboards. Like the predecessors, The Great Beyond also gives you the right dose of instrumental progressive rock mainly performed on the organ. This time around he is accompanied by Niels W. Knudsen on bass and Spike Noir on drums.
How does Boutrup succeed on the new album? There are a lot of pieces that appeal even if the overall impression has some left to give. The skill of the instruments is faultless as are the arrangements, as lovers of symphonic music, here are a number of tracks for that taste. Here you will find both atmospheric parts and melodic pieces. All of the nine compositions are written by Lars Boutrup and are this time around mainly up tempo pieces except for Inventio and Klavier Stück Für Freude.
These are the compositions on which the rhythm section went out for a break. They are probably for me the highlights on the album. Inventio is a great piece of music which sounds like an orchestra but performed on the string synthesizers. What I like most about this tune, is Boutrup’s taste for wide-ranging orchestrations and his ability as a symphonic arranger, he certainly does not lack the ambitions of a classical composer. Anybody who can read the German language knows what Klavier Stück Für Freude means in English. A piano piece for joy translated. Well the title says it all. It’s just a clever classical piano piece, nothing more nothing less. Reminding me a little of the Late Keith Emerson because of the bit of jazzy influences.
As for the other up tempo pieces on the album you could say they are mainly happy tunes to listen to. Some of the titles here also tell you what to expect. For example Ich Will Tanzen is in English I want to dance. And you can mainly dance on up tempo music, right? The best up tempo piece is without doubt the title track. Here Boutrup relies primarily on fat organ and synthesizer sounds and you can hear he is very much inspired by artists such as Keith Emerson or Jon Lord. But also the Dutch keyboard player Rick van der Linden (Trace and Ekseption) might be one of his influences without any doubt.
Even if bombast, spherical elegance and massive themes prevail, the music also has a certain groove and catchy melody, which enable relatively easy access to the music. So the music ticks professionally interpreted and nicely staged in the best keyboard prog manner, usually rather cheerfully.
If you have a soft spot for symphonic keyboard music and if you like Ars Nova, The Nice, Trace, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Ekseption, Gerard to name but a few, this might be your cup of tea. You can certainly try out this release as well, but beware these are only references. Because Lars Boutrup’s Music For Keyboards has certainly a style of his own and is certainly not a copy cat!
Reviewed by: Henri Strik
Vampster: The Great Beyond – Review (DE)
Germany – The Great Beyond
LARS BOUTRUP ist schon lange als Tastenmann unterwegs, in Bands wie BIG BANG, SUPERNOVA und EVIL MASQUERADE. Wer gern auch mal skandinavische Filme schaut, der hat auch dort vielleicht schon eine Melodie von ihm gehört. Mit seinem Projekt LARS BOUTRUP´S MUSIC FOR KEYBOARDS präsentiert der Däne nun mit „The Great Beyond“ das vierte Album. Mit neuen Leuten an der Seite, Drummer Spike Nior saß schon bei gemeinsamen Bands wie BIG BANG, SIMCESS und JURUDA MUSIC an den Trommeln. Niels Wilhelm Knudsen fügt sich als Jazzer und Musiklehrer am Bass stimmig ein. Zeit für die Reise durch progressive Tastenmusik im Sinne von Helden wie JON LORD, KEITH EMERSON, KEN HENSLEY und Co., zumindest präsentiert man sich so.
LARS BOUTRUP´S MUSIC FOR KEYBOARDS bietet, wonach der Name klingt
Ein wildes, sphärisches Intro, und auch „Mr. T“ macht schnell deutlich, dass es hier Musik hauptsächlich für Fans von Orgeln, Keyboards und Synthesizer gibt. Was im Prog Rock meist Teil des Gesamtwerks ist, hat hier wenig überraschend die Oberhand. Es wabbert, fiept, orgelt, begleitet von der soliden Rhythmsection, die dem Hausherrn allen Raum lässt, aber auch mal selber eher unbemerkt nette Spielchen einbringt. So machen Trips wie „Whatever Mama Said“ durchaus Spaß, da kommt alles in den Topf, 70er Disco-Flair, dann klingt es nach 80er Games-Soundtrack, dann nach einer typischen 90er Jahre US-Fernsehserien-Titelmelodie. Später kommt „Ich Will Tanzen“ mit durchaus packendem Groove und hätte mit Gitarre sicher eine gesunde Härte. Die gibt es aber nicht, zurück bleibt das Empfinden, dass dem Song etwas fehlt. „Klavier Stuck Fur Freude“ zeigt sich als schöne Pianosuite. Hat man wenige Tage vorher mal wieder die Platte von LUBOMYR MELNYK gehört, dann kann LARS BOUTRUP nur blass aussehen. Der Titelsong „The Great Beyond“ lässt nochmal aufhorchen, kommt mit viel früh-70er Progressive Rock, so manche Kraut Rock-Band kommt einem in den Sinn. Im Gesamtwerk denkt man aber eher an Elektroniker wie KLAUS SCHULZE oder JEAN MICHEL JARRE als an die Tastenhelden des Rock.
Musik vom Keyboarder für eben die Leute, die gezielt sowas mögen
Trotz dieser genannten besseren Darbietungen gelingt es LARS BOUTRUP nicht, mich zu fesseln oder zum intensiveren Zuhören einzuladen. Der gerade bei progressiveren Klängen oft aufkommende Drang, unter dem Kopfhörer zu verschwinden, bleibt hier aus. Viele Parts wabbern an einem vorbei, klingen gar albern oder nach Wellness-Musik. Klar beherrscht der Däne seine Tasten, bringt gute Ideen ein, aber auch zu viele Klischees. Überraschungen oder gar Wow-Momente wie bei seinen Idolen findet man hier nicht. Hier und da mit ein paar Gesangszeilen oder einer sich lautstark meldenden Gitarre aufgebauscht würde das Gesamtbild sicher interessanter wirken. So bleibt es nur gut gemachte Musik vom Keyboarder für eben die Leute, die gezielt Keyboardlastige Klangbilder mögen.
Veröffentlicht am 02.03.2020
Spielzeit: 47:01 Min.
Lineup:
Lars Boutrup – Orgel, Keyboards, Synthesizer
Niels Wilhelm Knudsen – Bass
Spike Nior – Drums, Percussion
Label: Ex´cess Records
Homepage: http://www.musicforkeyboards.com
Mehr im Web: https://www.facebook.com/musicforkeyboards
Die Tracklist von „The Great Beyond“:
1. The Rising (Video bei youtube)
2. Mr. T
3. Whatever Mama Said
4. Dripping Cycles
5. Jerry And The Suitcase
6. Inventio
7. Ich Will Tanzen
8. Klavier Stuck Fur Freude
9. The Great Beyond
Reviewed by: Frank Hellweg
BetreutesProggen: The Great Beyond – Review (DE)
Germany – The Great Beyond
Fünf Jahre nach dem letzten Album “Small As A Ball” legt der dänische Keyboarder Lars Boutrup sein viertes Werk unter dem Projektnamen Music For Keyboards vor. Wie die Vorgänger bekommt man auch auf “The Great Beyond” die gehörige Dosis instrumentalen Progressive Rock und etwas Hard Rock im Retro Flair. Begleitet von Niels W. Knudsen (Bass) und Spike Noir (Schlagzeug) wurden die neun Kompositionen von Lars Boutrup geschrieben und sind logischerweise von erheblicher Tastendominanz gekennzeichnet. Boutrup setzt dabei auf vor allem auf fette Orgel- und Synthesizersounds und fühlt sich laut eigener Aussage von Künstlern wie Keith Emerson oder Jon Lord inspiriert.
Selbst wenn Bombast, sphärische Eleganz und wuchtige Themen vorherrschen, so durchzieht die Musik ebenfalls ein gewisser Groove und griffige Melodik, die einen relativ einfachen Zugang zur Musik ermöglichen. So tickert die Musik fachkundig interpretiert und gefällig in Szene gesetzt in bester Keyboard Prog Manier meist munter im Mid-Tempo vor sich hin.
Leider vermisst man dabei echte Überraschungen, so fällt es wirklich schwer ein offensichtliches Highlight herauszupicken – am ehesten noch die beiden in Deutsch betitelten ‘Ich will tanzen’ bzw. das sehr klassisch geprägte ‘Klavier Stück für Freude’. Nichtsdestotrotz wandelt die Musik mitunter scharf am Rande der gut gemachten Beliebigkeit. Nicht falsch verstehen: handwerklich und von der Produktion her kann sich dieses Album durchaus hören lassen, aber aus persönlicher Sichtweise heraus, verharrt die Musik doch viel zu stark in den ihr selbst auferlegten Grenzen.
So gehen die rund 46 Minuten launig und flott als ordentliche Unterhaltung durch. Wer ein Faible für sinfonische Keyboardmusik hat, mag hier sicherlich ein Ohr riskieren. Hörbeispiele sind auf der Homepage des Künstlers verfügbar.
Bewertung: 8/15 Punkten
Reviewed by: Kristian Selm
Get Ready to Rock: The Great Beyond – Review (UK)
UK – The Great Beyond
Danish keyboard wiz Lars Boutrup evokes organ grinders of a bygone age. In doing so he also fashions his own version of classic keyboard-led rock. ‘The Great Beyond’ is quite simply highly addictive.
There is nothing quite like hearing a Hammond organ played really well and within a tight song structure. ‘Mr. T’ is essentially the album’s opening blast and is a perfect showcase for Boutrup’s compositional and musical talents. A six minute workout that also evokes the very best that this genre has produced.
‘Whatever Mama Said’ could be some long lost sci-fi theme with deft orchestration punctuated by Spike Nior’s “Let There Be Drums” beats. Similarly ‘Dripping Cycles’ sounds like something you might hear as the end credits roll. It should come as no surprise, then, that Boutrup has composed the music or played to more than 200 silent movie pictures in Scandinavia.
If you like the albums that Geoff Downes (Yes, Asia) produced under the New Dance Orchestra moniker you will like this. ‘The Great Beyond’ manages to not only evoke seventies bands such as the Dutch jazzy prog rockers Trace but create a groove and contemporary vibe of its own. ****
Reviewed by: David Randall
Tempiduri: The Great Beyond – Review (IT)
Italy – The Great Beyond
“The Great Beyond” è il nuovo lavoro di Lars Boutrup valente tastierista danese che con questo disco giunge al ragguardevole traguardo dei quattro lavori.Il fatto poi che Lars Boutrup faccia musica strumentale la cosa è assolutamente degna di nota perché di questi tempi è difficile trovare artisti del genere; ma è ancor più difficile trovare qualcuno che sia disposto a perdere del tempo per ascoltare una musica di siffatto genere.
Il nostro è un musicista dallo stampo classico che si rivolge ad un pubblico adulto; viste anche le sue influenze che vanno da Keith Emerson a Jon Lord. Ma non solo,infatti ascoltando il disco infatti mi è venuto in mente quanto fatto a suo tempo da Patrick Moratz e Bill Bruford tastierista il primo e batterista il secondo che hanno pubblicato diversi dischi e tra i quali mi sento di consigliarvi “Flags” il cui approccio è molto simile.Non potrebbe essere altrimenti anche perché, come dico spesso: “per ascoltare cose nuove bisogna essere curiosi ed avere una mentalità aperta”. Questo non perché sia difficile, per i molti, ascoltare della musica “particolare”.
Faccio questa affermazione solo perché ritengo che chi abbia interesse verso questo genere musicale ha già di per se un bagaglio tecnico pregresso di ascolto che gli permetterà poi di apprezzare e anche giudicare, come nel mio caso, di recensire un disco come questo.Ascoltando questo lavoro ci si rende subito conto di trovarsi di fronte ad un artista di indubbio talento e la musica che produce ha a che fare con un rock progressivo con forti tinte neo classiche. È quindi chiaro poi che citare i riferimenti soliti del genere: Elp; Yes; Trace; e Pink Floyd sia del tutto normale.
Il grande pregio di questo disco è che oltre ad essere registrato magistralmente è anche suonato benissimo. In questo disco non si trovano le strutture musicali intricate proprie del rock progressivo e permette quindi a chi lo ascolta, di vivere un’esperienza molto piacevole e permette di arrivare alla fine del disco senza troppi patemi d’animo.
Merito anche del fatto che lo stesso si componga di nove canzoni e che le stesse non abbiano una durata troppo lunga. Parliamo di una durata massima di circa 7 minuti e mezzo per “Dripping Cycles”. Mentre la più corta (e parliamo di circa quattro minuti), intitolata “Klavier Stück Für Freude”.Molto divertente è invece “Jerry and the suitcase” tanto è vero questo , che ritengo sia un brano adatto ad un airplay .
Dico sempre che il Progressive, più di ogni altra musica, ha capacità immaginifiche; di questo fa parte anche The Great Beyond e sebbene si tratti di musica strumentale, in taluni casi è impossibile non farsi trasportare dall’ascolto immaginando luoghi o situazioni del tutto particolari. Anche ascoltando la suggestiva “Inventio”: una traccia suggestiva dagli arrangiamenti molto larghi che ti fanno immaginare di volare tra le nuvole.
Altro pezzo molto bello è il pianistico “Klavier Stück Für Freude”. Dalle atmosfere tardo romantiche chiude in bellezza un brano dalla spinta elettronica della title track.In chiusura certamente “The Great Beyond” è un ottimo lavoro adatto agli amanti del genere e dei progster di tutto il mondo. A tutti gli altri dico: “avvicinatevi senza timore a questo genere e potreste scoprire di aver perso tempo per non aver ascoltato prima musica del genere .
- The Rising
- Mr. T
- Whatever Mama Said
- Dripping Cycles
- Jerry and the Suitcase
- Inventio
- Ich Will Tanzen
- Klavier Stück Für Freude
- The Great Beyond
Lars Boutrup – keyboards, organ and synthesizers
Niels W. Knudsen – bass
Spike Nior – drums, assorted percussion
Reviewed by: Stefano Bonelli