Voiceprint Music - Release

Release

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Catalogue number

IDVP003CD

Release date

26/06/2006

Format

Label

Time Wave

Patrick Moraz

Story of I

Disc 1

1. Impact 2. Warmer Hands 3. The Storm 4. Cachaca 5. Intermezzo 6. Indoors (a) Interaction (b) Imp's Dance 7. Best Years of Our Lives 8. Descent 9. Incantation (Procession) 10. Dancing Now 11. Impressions (The Dream) 12. Like A Child Is Disguise 13. Rise and Fall 14. Symphony in the Space 15. Bonus Tracks: Cachaca Variations 16. Cachaca's Children's Voices

Swiss born Patrick Moraz is probably best known in rock music circles as the man who played with two of the world’s biggest rock bands firstly with Yes recording the album Relayer and touring extensively with the band between 1974 and 1976. Following this stint with Yes Patrick would go on to join another legendary band the Moody Blues. Patrick stayed with the band between the years 1978 and 1991 touring the world extensively and contributing to a number of successful albums.

Patrick has also been a member of the progressive rock band Mainhorse forming the band with bassist Jean Ristori in 1969 and releasing one self titled album in 1970. Following that his next port of call would be Refugee where he joined forces with two former members of the Nice. This band also released one critically acclaimed self titled album before Patrick left to join Yes.

Patrick’s career however would it seem be pre ordained. As a child Patrick would have been considered a musical prodigy and whilst he became adept at a number of instruments it was the piano where Patrick excelled to the extent that he was named “Best Young Soloist” at the prestigious Zurich Jazz festival in 1961. Similar awards came Patrick’s way in 1963 and 1965 which led him to performing with some of the great jazz artists of the time including the legendary John Coltrane at various European jazz festivals.

By the time of the release Patrick’s debut solo album in early 1976 Patrick was firmly installed as the keyboard player in Yes. Following the release of Relayer all the members of Yes embarked on solo projects thus ensuring that The Story Of I received maximum coverage in the music press.

Following the release of this album Patrick returned to touring duties with Yes before leaving during the sessions for the follow up album to Relayer.

Patrick then released his second solo album in 1977(Out In The Sun) before joining with the Moody Blues a partnership that lasted until 1991. During this time and beyond Patrick has recorded and released a number of solo and collaborative albums including works with another former member of Yes drummer Bill Bruford. In late 2005 Patrick signed a new distribution deal with Voiceprint which will oversee the release of his entire back catalogue of solo albums and also include albums from Mainhorse and Refugee

The Story Of I was Patrick’s debut solo album and recorded in late 1975 during a period when all the members of Yes embarked on solo projects. The album was a concept piece based around a story Patrick had written. Musically the album features Latin and rock rhythms in fact the entire album has a very percussive feel to it. One of the featured musicians on the album alongside Patrick is well known session drummer Andy Newmark. Other featured musicians on the album are jazz drummer Alphonse Mouzon and bassist Jeff Berlin.

The Story Of I is part of an extensive reissue campaign through 2006 that will see all Patrick’s back catalogue albums receive a new release through Voiceprint. To this end Patrick has personally overseen the re master of all the albums in the catalogue.

Reviews

After the release of "Relayer" all members of Yes decided to work on solo albums. Jon Anderson released his beautiful solo piece "Olias Of Sunhillow". Steve Howe launched "Beginnings". Chris Squire made the strong "Fish Out Of Water" and Allan White showed his different side on "Ramshackled". But I always believed that the highlight of all those solo efforts was produced by keyboard player Patrick Moraz. His album "The Story Of I" was for a true masterpiece. But I was certainly not the only person who enjoyed this album so much. It got to number 28 in the UK charts in April, 1976, the same month that Rick Wakeman's "No Earthly Connection" was in the UK Top Ten. A lot of people said that the music on Patrick's debut solo album was over produced and over the top. They even said that it had nothing to do with the music made by his band at the time. Maybe that's true. But the mix of latin music, prog, jazz, fusion, rock and classical music was very well melted into a superb piece of music. Telling an interesting concept story about a man and a woman who did find the key to their extraterrestial afterlife. Maybe the album would not have been so strong without all the musicians who helped him to make this fantastic music. First of all the percussionists of Rio De Janerio. But also the great drummers Andy Newmark Alphonse Mouzon, the fantastic guitarist Ray Gomez and bassist Jeff Berlin. But most of all the two lead singers John McBurnie and Vivienne McAuliffe lift the album to an ever higher level. Patrick's keyboard playing is without any doubt superb and you can certainly hear the spirit of his old bands (Mainhorse and Refugee) on several album tracks. Now thirthy years later the album is back in the shops. It was digitally remastered and two bonus tracks are included. Those two extra tracks brings the total time of the whole album to almost one hour. The first bonus track "Cachaca Variations" is a piano piece only accompanied by some drums and latin percussion. The second track "Cachaca's Children Voices" is a studio outtake on which we can hear the voices of the children of Morat in Switzerland. The bonus features are nice but even without them the album still remains a true masterpiece. Certainly one of the best keyboard orientated albums ever made. ***** (Henri Strik)