“Liama” is the first single to be released from the forthcoming Romances in Blue. The song comes from instrumental duo, Steve Markoff and Patricia Lazzara. An almost hymnal listening experience, the music glides back and forth between lightness and flowing energy. The meaning behind the name “determined guardian” gives further indication that this song is a devout champion to upholding the wonderous sounds from both the flute and piano.
Markoff (alto flute) and Lazzara (concert flute) are accompanied on piano by Allison Brewster Franzetti. The mood of the music is ethereal and it sounds more like a walk in meadow or the forest than out-and-about on a warm beach. That calming effect is emphasized with the glazed piano keys. Franzetti’s contribution is layered just carefully enough where the keys don’t drown out the dancing flute sounds. It’s like handing-off the baton on a long race, and while the wand finds its way back into the hands of Markoff (and Lazzara) there’s a keen effort to separate the sounds at certain points.
URL: https://www.lazzarkoff.com/
When the song first started I almost heard hints of “Con te partio” and the glimmers of New Age meets classical. The movement of this song is lovely and while the flute and the piano fuse together many times, my favorite just happened to be when they took the spotlight individually. It presented me with a better chance to focus on each note, each lingering sound. I think that’s also what makes this song so special – it’s zeroed in on distinct sounds. The symphony of all together surely is beautiful, but for listeners looking for winded whispers and cascading keys, this song is it.
“Liama” casts a spell that is strong enough to escape from chaos. Now more than ever, a song like this is the perfect distraction to endless news reports, fear of missing out, social media soapbox dissertations and more. What Markoff, Lazzara and Franzetti have created is a song of hope and simplicity. Often the flute can be pining or drying emphasis on a critical story point, and I think the flute sound in this song is more organic and sweet like honey. It’s isolating moments seem to linger for hours. It’s more like a babbling brook than the flush of a waterfall. With hues of blues, greens (lots of greens) and yellows, “Liama” showers the listener with richness and solitude leanings.
The emotional journey in “Liama” is never sorrowful or scary. Again, that brightness and airy feeling lifts the listener into a floating state-of-mind. When the song ends (the song length is just under five minutes) the story feels complete and one feels full of rejoice and regained energy. It’s like filling your lungs up with air and breathing out in one big swoop of a breath. Fans of yoga, for sure, will like this analogy. But, no effort needed in achieving that special, content place.
Markoff and Lazzara are New Jersey-based. Romances in Blue is a follow-up to the duo’s 2019 robust 18-track album, Timeless – Hits of Love and Hope From Pop, Rock & Soft Rock.
Kim Muncie
The music of STEVE MARKOFF and PATRICIA LAZZARA has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division. Learn more https://musikandfilm.com