Review | Seraina Telli – Black ‘n’ White Sessions

Metalville Records

With Telli’s tantalizing performances on the Visions Of Atlantis tour in mind, and her colorful 2 releases at the root of ‘Black ‘n’ White Sessions’. The project unfolds in two distinct parts. The first album introduces listeners to Telli’s classic skills and offers a more subdued presentation of her songs. In contrast, the second album reveals her experimental side, embracing unexpected elements and pushing musical boundaries. While this approach may require listeners to adapt their expectations more than once, the overall result is remarkably cohesive. The artistic vision of Seraina Telli shines throughout the sessions, as she seamlessly blends different styles and collaborates with a diverse array of guest artists. Her willingness to take risks and explore new musical territories pays off, resulting in a collection that is both innovative and accessible.

Seraina Telli’s latest release showcases her versatility and confidence as a performer, captivating audiences with her dynamic stage presence. The album opens with ,,Black ‘n’ White’’, where Telli demonstrates her impressive vocal range, infusing the track with an Americana vibe. Her harmonies and vocal interplay build to a powerful, yet subtle conclusion.

,,Remedy” stands out for its lush soundscape and Telli’s intense vocal performance. Her growling chorus displays her raw power as a singer, while the instrumentation provides a solid foundation without overshadowing her voice. Telli’s charismatic delivery combines strength and elegance, leaving no doubt about her capabilities.

THERE IS SOME JAZZ

On tracks like ,,Addicted To Color” and ,,Wish You Well”, Seraina Telli stays closer to the original recordings while embracing acoustic arrangements. The latter features a jazzy mid-section, with subtle drums and strumming guitars enhanced by organ and mandolin. Her vocal delivery is particularly impressive, conveying emotional depth and hitting every note with precision.

,,Not One Of Your Kind” begins with a jazz club ambiance before gradually building tension. Telli’s vocal range shines here, incorporating high pitches, moans, and melancholic tones reminiscent of Amy Winehouse. The instrumentation, featuring keys, guitar, and drums, perfectly complements her voice.

,,Song For The Girls” and ,,Think” lean into psychedelic and pop elements, highlighting Telli’s songwriting prowess. The Hammond organ underpins the tracks, while guitars blend seamlessly with Telli’s vocals, creating a radiant, swinging atmosphere. These songs demonstrate her ability to craft contemporary pop with a unique twist.

,,I’m Not Sorry” highlights her jazz and soul influences, with piano accompaniment that intensifies the emotional delivery. This stripped-down approach is also evident in her renditions of ,,Dreamer” and Frank Sinatra’s ,,My Way”, as well as ,,Harder Way”, which features emotive string arrangements.

On ,,Left Behind” Telli’s vocal technique and charisma shine through in a performance reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s style. Her ability to convey lyrics with subtlety and taste is on full display here. ,,Hit Shit” further demonstrates the singer’s impressive vocal range and emotional depth, with percussion elements enhancing the overall atmosphere of the track. Throughout these songs, Telli consistently delivers powerful and nuanced performances, skillfully injecting the right dynamics and emotions into her compositions. Her vocal prowess and artistic vision are evident, showcasing her growth and confidence.

CREATIVE PROWESS

,,Medusa” showcases her ability to blend different musical styles while maintaining her vibrant, punk-inspired persona. The song’s structure alternates between stop-and-go sections before accelerating into a groove reminiscent of spaghetti western soundtracks with an Americana twist. Telli’s commanding vocals lead the charge, supported by impressive instrumentation that evokes the grandeur of Warren Haynes’ work on his Railroad Earth collaboration ‘Ashes & Dust’ album. This multifaceted composition highlights Telli’s creative prowess, incorporating various elements into a cohesive and distinctive track.

The piano version of ,,Take Care” stands out as a particularly powerful rendition. Telli’s emotive performance on both vocals and piano creates a deeply moving experience. The song builds from delicate, rainfall-like key work to a piercing bridge and chorus, with Seraina Telli expertly navigating different vocal registers throughout. This stripped-down arrangement emphasizes the song’s emotional core and further demonstrates Telli’s versatility as an artist.

SECOND ALBUM

The second album features the same catalogue of songs but has Telli interact with counterparts. Bands and artists featured are Dear Park Avenue, Rapture Boy, Kärbholz, the hoarse vocals of Marc Amacher, or Ohrenfeindt.

,,Black ‘n’ White” features Anna Murphy from Cellar Darling, offering a sound close to her original style. However, it’s songs like ,,Addicted to Color”, featuring Britta Götz’s (HiRaes) growls and grunts, that truly demonstrate Telli’s desire to push her musical boundaries.

Throughout the album, Telli’s vocal choices often surprise listeners, challenging them to adapt to her ever-changing style. This daring approach pays off, as she successfully navigates various genres and vocal techniques.

COLLABORATIONS

The album boasts several notable collaborations. Chris Boltendahl from Grave Digger lends his distinctive growling vocals and strong German accent to ,,Wish You Well”. In ,,Left Behind” Rapture Boy’s raps create an intriguing contrast with Seraina’s powerful vocal delivery. Another standout track is the Railroad Earth version of ,,Medusa” where Calico Cooper‘s grounded vocals complement Telli’s performance.

Clementine Delauney from Visions Of Atlantis brings a delicate touch to ,,I’m Not Sorry” creating a beautiful contrast with Telli’s more robust vocals. The pairing of Telli with rock icon Lee Aaron on ,,Song For The Girls” is particularly noteworthy, as their voices complement each other exceptionally well, leaving listeners wondering why they don’t collaborate more often.

The album takes an interesting turn with ,,Harder Way”, featuring Alexander Lee Wohnhaas from Megaherz. His German lyrics and raw delivery provide a striking contrast to Telli’s cleaner, almost angelic vocals. The diversity of the album is further emphasized by the gospel-tinged ,,Hit Shit” featuring Violent Greens & One Man Rocks, and the raw Italian punk vocals of Tete Novoa on ,,Take Care”.

SERAINA TELLI – THE CONCLUSION

The ‘Black ‘n’ White Sessions’ showcase the exceptional talent of Seraina Telli as both a composer and performer, while highlighting her diverse musical influences. These stripped-down and vibrant renditions of her songs demonstrate Telli’s ability to craft multi-layered tracks that resonate deeply with listeners. The album also underscores her knack for creating tunes with high commercial potential, even when presented in various arrangements.

This album is a must-listen for Telli’s fans and music enthusiasts alike, offering a unique glimpse into her creative process and artistic evolution. It also serves as an excellent showcase for industry professionals looking for fresh, versatile talent in the rock and pop genres.

Release date: 6 December 2024

* NOTE: Not the album version