After leaving the atmospheric metal band The Gathering, singer Anneke van Giersbergen, with her new band Agua de Annique, made it clear that she was broadly oriented on the album Air (2007). Almost as a supplement to Air, Pure Air contains a number of acoustic adaptations of songs from this, in addition to duets and collaborations with other artists. Names like Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) and Sharon
… den Adel (Within Temptation) are almost obvious. Less predictable is the collaboration with British bassist / singer John Wetton, who played with Roxy Music and King Crimson, among others. All contribute to a moody, intimate and audibly lovingly created album on which the acoustic guitar of her regular accompanist Joris Dirks is sometimes the only accompaniment. Also special are Van Giersbergen's versions of The Blowers Daughter (Damien Rice) and The Power Of Love (Frankie Goes To Hollywood). Songs that seem to have been written for her voice and that fit effortlessly into her own repertoire. (MR)more
