Published toward the end of 1993, " Monolithos " is produced and distributed by Mellow Records, the record company the group has signed a five years contract with. The CD is recorded and arranged at " Studio Elfo" in Agazzano (PC), that shortly becomes a focal point in the activity of the band.
The official line-up that takes part in the realization of the first album is composed of: Luca Sabia (Voice and Guitars), Fabio Antonelli (Guitars), Marco Morandotti (Keyboards), Dario Broglia (Drums) and Alberto Callegari (Bass guitar, as well as arranger and owner of " Studio Elfo "), that from this moment will remain, with Luca Sabia, the only stable member of the group.
In this period Art and Illusion's repertoire is composed by the original songs from the first demo-tape and from " Monolithos ", and by a series of cover version of bands like Genesis, Marillion, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, etc…
After a quite difficult period that seems to alternate moments of live activity and other moments of stalemate, owed to the continuous turnover of musicians, the group lives some months of stability and productivity with a line-up that includes, besides Luca Sabia, Fabio Antonelli and Alberto Callegari (as sound technician), Barbara Martini (Keyboards and backing vocals), Elena Bensi (Bass) and Roberto Lupo (Drums). In the August of ' 94 Luca and Alberto begin to tape some material for the new album.
In the autumn of ' 95 there is another change of line-up: Fabio, Elena and Roberto leave the group and they are replaced by Alberto Callegari (that returns to Live activity after a long period of time devoted to the recording studio) and from Paolo Lisè (Drums). The band is finally ready to concentrate on the realization of the new album.
December ' 94 marks the exit of the first Tribute to Genesis compilation ever realized, produced by the Mellow Records label. The group take part of the tribute with a cover version of Lilywhite Lilith, a song taken from the album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" of 1974.
The Line-up is stable now, Luca Sabia (Voice and Guitars), Alberto Callegari (Bass, Mandolin, Keyboards and backing vocals), Barbara Martini (Keyboards and backing vocals) and Paolo Lisè (Drums and Percussions), nevertheless during the recording of the new job numerous guests join in, among these are Massimo Braghieri and Marco Morandotti (both on Keyboards).
The CD " Seasons ", a concept album, is ready before the end of autumn and will be published toward the end of the year, but not before the group has the time to participate to another compilation, this time dedicated to Van Der Graaf Generator, to which Art and Illusion contributes with the cover version of Lizard Play (taken from "The Quite Zone/The Pleasure Dome" of 1977).
The months that follow are marked by an intense Live activity and the promotion of the new record; in addition to this the band is involved in an important tour in the North Italy and in a special tribute organized in Venice for Peter Gabriel. In these occasions the group is distinguished either for the new songs that for a very skilled and dynamic repertoire of cover versions that, whilst maintaining the references to the music of the 70s, is enriched of more actual influences (Peter Gabriel as more explicit example…).
Highs and lows again: at the beginning of Spring Barbara Martini leaves and the efforts are intensified to redefine the ranks of the group ending up with the arrival of Mario Rossi (Guitars) and Roberto Comaschi (Keyboards).
still
Art and Illusion Lyrics
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That's all I meant to do
And then my heart stood still
My feet could step and walk
My lips could move and talk
And yet my heart stood still
I could tell you knew
That unfelt clasp of hands
Told me so well you knew
I never lived at all
Until the thrill of that moment
When my heart stood still
I took one look at you
That's all I meant to do
And then my heart stopped right there
My feet could step and walk
My lips could move and talk
And yet my heart stood still
Though not a single word was spoken
I could tell you knew
That unfelt claps of hands
Told me so well you knew
I never lived at all
Until the thrill of that moment
When my heart stood still
The lyrics to Art and Illusion's song 'Still' is a beautiful expression of falling in love at first sight. The opening lines, "I took one look at you, that's all I meant to do, and then my heart stood still" sets the tone for the entire song. The singer is expressing how his heart stopped and time stood still when he first saw the person that he fell in love with. The lyrics are powerful and poetic, expressing the strong feelings of love and passion that can be experienced when meeting the right person.
In the second verse, the singer describes how his feet can still move, and his lips can still talk, but his heart remains still. This is a beautiful way to convey how our bodies may function, but our hearts and emotions are the true driving force behind our actions and reactions. The lyrics emphasize the importance of following our hearts and the intense feelings we experience when we fall in love.
The quote, "I never lived at all until the thrill of that moment when my heart stood still" is a powerful line that sums up the essence of the song. The singer is conveying that he was existing, but he didn't feel alive until he fell in love. The thrill of this moment is what made him feel truly alive and happy. The song ultimately highlights the importance of love and how powerful it can be in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I took one look at you
Upon seeing you, I became immediately enamored
That's all I meant to do
I did not intend to fall for you, it was an unexpected reaction
And then my heart stood still
The intensity of my feelings for you was overwhelming
My feet could step and walk
Externally, I remained composed despite my internal turmoil
My lips could move and talk
I could continue to converse normally despite my inner emotional state
And yet my heart stood still
Despite my attempts to hide it, my love for you remained strong
Though not a single word was spoken
Our connection was inexplicable, not needing any verbal communication
I could tell you knew
You seemed to sense the depth of my feelings for you even without me saying anything
That unfelt clasp of hands
Our emotional connection was so strong, it was as if we were holding hands even without physically doing so
Told me so well you knew
Our unspoken understanding of each other was palpable
I never lived at all
Before meeting you, my life felt incomplete and dull
Until the thrill of that moment
The excitement of meeting you changed everything for me
When my heart stood still
When I fell for you and everything else seemed to fade away
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind