Riccardo Romano Land - B612
Yes, even when there's no Marillion album on the horizon, I will find a way to get them into my top 10. Riccardo Romano is the keyboard player of both Italian proggers RanestRane and the Steve Rothery band, and he's got both of Marillion's Steves to play on his solo debut - a concept album about The Little Prince. You might recognize that as an idea Genesis once had for a concept album...
Romano's version is, much like the book, a simple but beautiful and emotional album. It frequently brings 90's era Marillion to mind - particularly Brave. Every song sounds like it could have a heavenly Rothery solo on it, and, indeed, some of them do. Romano's voice is melodramatic and passionate and works great for this material.
The guest vocalists are fantastic and add an extra layer to the album. Steve Hogarth - cast against type in a sinister role - delivers one of those understated, half-whispered performances he tends to reserve for his non-Marillion work. Martin Jakubski, on the other hand, goes completely over the top as the King. But the real revelation is Jennifer Rothery - an extra surprise as her dad, by his own admission, isn't much of a singer. Like the whole album, a pleasant surprise.
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