Review by Wildy's World

REVIEW, Wildy's World - The term Dutch Master probably starts with Vincent Van Gogh, the painter who could be labeled the father of modern art in the western world. Van Gogh's life was well-documented by the artist himself in several hundred letter he sent to his younger brother Theo over his life. Those letters and Van Gogh's paintings inspired Dutch producer and recording artist Diederick Van Eck, who worked with producer Tom Harriman and lyricist Pamela Phillips Oland to create Van Gogh By Van Eck, a concept album based on Van Gogh's life in his own words. The album has already sold in excess of 50,000 copies in Holland recently became available in North America for the first time.

Each song on Van Gogh By Van Eck is based on a painting by the Van Gogh, amplifying or explaining details about the artist's life that he somehow displayed in that painting. Picture Of A Man (Self Portrait) is wonderfully layered 1980's Pop with soul inflections; it's highly introspective and full of angelic vocal harmonies. Still Life (Sien With Cigar Sitting On The Floor) is the sort of great Broadway soliloquy that highlights the first act of a show. Van Gogh is falling in love and justifying it to himself (or at least working it into his world paradigm). It's also major mix tape material ("What a revelation. No imagination came close to what love can be."). One Of The Family (The Potato Eaters) is based on Van Gogh's first major work. It's a well-written piece of 1970's Pop/Jazz/Funk, but seems at odds with the earthy flavor of the painting. It also sounds as if Van Eck is using some heavy vocal F/X on this tune. Van Eck goes for a stripped-down Jazz/Pop arrangement with Blues accoutrements for One Foot In Front Of The Other (A Pair Of Shoes). The song is well-written and performed, although I kept hearing other instruments asking to be brought into the mix (which might have been the point).

Please see the full review at:
http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-diederick-van-eck-van-gog...