LEO DISANTO – To Fly So Low (own label)

To Fly So LowSinger-songwriter Leo DiSanto has released his third studio album as a solo act, To Fly So Low.

Described by the artist himself as being, “made up of songs about birds and trains; people and dogs; love and grief; time and eternity”, To Fly So Low embraces rustic, folksy instrumentation to provide a suitably grounded atmosphere for such themes.

DiSanto’s vocal presence seems to toe the line somewhere between Jim Croce and Steve Winwood, with the musical spirit of the former feeling particularly prevalent in many of the album’s tunes. One such tune is To Fly So Low’s second track, ‘Blue Heron’, which features striking passages such as: “The world’s been acting very strangely, the way it always seems to do. You who are trapped inside your skin, does it seem that way to you too? Who’s it all for if not for you?”

Acoustic guitar and a longing fiddle sound provide an instrumental thread throughout To Fly So Low. DiSanto brings a number of variations to minimalist stylistic formula, including the introduction of a full band for numbers such as, ‘The Dizziest Train’ and ‘The Devil I Don’t’, the latter of which also features a rollicking electric guitar track that kicks the proceedings up a notch in terms of energy.

The title track for the album, interestingly enough, is preceded by a prelude-style acoustic guitar-based instrumental titled, ‘To Fly So Low (Approach)’, which reflects the feel of Paul McCartney’s ‘Long Tailed Winter Bird’ from the former Beatle’s 2020 LP, McCartney III. The title track itself features full-band instrumentation in a sort of swinging western/chugging train arrangement style which makes for apt canvas for the sort of storytelling found throughout the record.

A late-album pivot in arrangement style comes in the form of ‘All Of The Time’, a ballad-style number with vocals accompanied exclusively by sparse piano backing. Entries such as this serve to break up the dynamic feel of the record while helping to maintain a sonic and thematic consistency throughout.

Conceptually, To Fly So Low functions quite well as a singular piece. The affair is tied together effectively through DiSanto’s distinct storytelling and musicianship – along with vocals, the songwriter contributed guitar, harmonica, electric piano, and electric guitar to the arrangements. To Fly So Low is available to stream now.

Cameron Gunnoe

Artist’s website: https://leodisanto.com

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