MOSTLY AUTUMN

Review Nº 787

As many of we know, the Mostly Autumn's sound is very atmospheric with a combination of keyboards, guitars, bass, various forms of percussion, flutes and dreamy vocals provided by female vocals and Bryan Josh vocals. Their overall sound has always reminded me of Pink Floyd with a touch of folk. But they're much more than that. Much of what they do is very original and memorable. I discovered Mostly Autumn in 2003 through the DVD "Progressive Rock Anthology" by the Classic Rock Society with their track "Mother Nature" and I immediately was captivated with what they had to offer. Since then I have reviewed a lot of their work including lavishly presented DVD sets and high end CD's for optimal sound. And I can assure to all of you that we can always count on a great quality presentation from this great band.

"Pass The Clock" is a very special compilation album of Mostly Autumn. Somehow, it represents the end of an era of the band. It represents the end of the era of Mostly Autumn with their first singer and founding member Heather Findlay who had left the band to pursue a solo career. "Pass The Clock" is a compilation album that covers the entire career of Mostly Autumn since the beginning of it to that moment. That can be seen in the front cover of the album, between 1998 and 2008. So, "Pass The Clock" is a compilation album very well representative of the career of Mostly Autumn with tracks chosen from all their eight studio albums released to that moment, "For All We Shared", "The Spirit Of Autumn Past", "The Last Bright Light", "Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings", "Passengers", "Storms Over Still Water", "Heart Full Of Sky" and "Glass Shadows", plus a track originally released on their EP "Spirits Of Christmas Past".

"Pass The Clock" is a compilation album with thirty-five tracks. So, from their debut studio album "For All We Shared" that was released in 1999 we have four tracks, "Boundless Ocean", "Steal Away", "Night Sky" and "Heroes Never Die". From their second studio album "The Spirit Of Autumn Past" that was also released in 1999 we have also four tracks, "Evergreen", "Shindig", "Blakey Ridge/When Waters Meet" and "The Gap Is Too Wide". From their third studio album "The Last Bright Light" that was released in 2001 we have six tracks, "Prints In The Stone", "The Eyes Of The Forest", "Which Wood?", "Shrinking Violet", "Half The Mountain" and "Hollow". From their fourth studio album "Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings" that was also released in 2001 we have three tracks, "At Last To Rivendell", "On The Wings Of Gwaihir" and "Goodbye Alone". From their fifth studio album "Passengers" that was released in 2003 we have seven tracks, "Pure White Light", "Distant Train", "Answer The Question", "Pass The Clock", "Simple Ways", "Bitterness Burnt" and "Passengers". From their sixth studio album "Storms Over Still Water" that was released in 2005 we have three tracks, "Ghost In Dreamland", "Storms Over Still Water" and "Carpe Diem". From their seventh studio album "Heart Full Of Sky" that was released in 2006 we have three tracks, "Fading Colours", "Silver Glass" and "Yellow Time". However, "Yellow Time" is a track that only appears in the special edition of the album with two CD's. From their eighth studio album "Glass Shadows" that was released in 2008 we have four tracks, "The Second Hand", "Paper Angels", "Tearing At The Faerytale" and "Glass Shadows". "Pass The Clock" has also another track that was never released on any of their studio albums, "Winter Is King". It was originally released on their EP "Spirits Of Christmas Past" in 2005.

Mostly Autumn's approach to this anthology was to produce three CD's which are self-standing in terms of music synergy. So, "Something For The Spirit" has the most up-tempo compositions, "Something For The Campfire" contains the folk and folk-rock numbers and "Something For The Candlelight" has the slow tempo and peaceful sound of the band. And this was a good strategy. Each of the individual CD's has a pleasing self-consistency. It's true that "Pass The Clock" doesn't contains any new songs as is usual on many other compilation albums. But this compilation album has an interesting thing. All these tracks were remastered versions, and in my opinion, aren't bad at all. Of course the song selections for anthologies always cause debate. But it's fair to say that many of their great classics were included here.

Conclusion: I've no doubt in say that "Pass The Clock" is an excellent compilation album made in a very professional way. It seems like it could be an extreme compilation with 3 CD's with 35 tracks and with more than 2 and a half hours. However, that is far from the case. If you are a solid great band like Mostly Autumn is, it's not difficult to select tracks over ten years period. The difficulty lies in choosing which tracks to include in such a comprehensive set. But, the final results are excellent where some of their best and most beloved tracks by their fans were included. "Pass The Clock" has an outstanding collection of tracks where the individual tracks fit perfectly well in the titles of the three CD's. Besides, the packing is top notch featuring a high quality cardboard three piece gatefold CD holder with liner notes and the necessary thanks to the important supporters of the band. This is a great compilation of an underrated prog band.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 783

"Live At The Grand Opera House" is the third DVD of Mostly Autumn that was released in 2003. It was recorded at the Grand Opera House in York, England. It represents the return of the band to their home town. The Grand Opera House in York is unspectacular on the outside, but inside of it we can see that it's a very lovely place. With a capacity for 1000 people, it's spacious enough, yet it's also intimate. So, the Grand Opera House is a perfect place for Mostly Autumn.

"Live At The Grand Opera House" was released in three different versions. It was released in 2003 a DVD version with twelve tracks, which is the version that I have. It was released in the same year another DVD version, a limited edition, with nineteen tracks. It was also released in 2004 a CD version, a smaller version with only ten tracks, which I also own.

The line up on "Live At The Grand Opera House" is Bryan Josh (vocals, lead electric guitars, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars and E-bow), Heather Findlay (vocals, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, bodhran and tambourine), Ian Jennings (vocals, keyboards and Hammond organ), Liam Davison (vocals, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, electric and slide guitars), Angela Goldthorpe (flute and whistles), Andy Smith (bass guitar) and Jonathan Blackmore (drums). However, this live concert had also the participation of Troy Donockley (Uilleann pipes and electric guitar), of the choir of the members of The Micklegate Singers and the "Synthesis" String Quartet, all as guest musicians.

So, my DVD version of "Live At The Grand Opera House" has twelve tracks. The first track "Caught In A Fold" was originally released on "Passengers". The second track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was originally released on "The Last Light Bright". The third track "Answer The Question" was originally released on "Passengers". The fourth track "Goodbye Alone" was originally released on "Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings". The fifth track "Passengers" was originally released on "Passengers". The sixth track "Distant Train" was also originally released on "Passengers". The seventh track "The Gap Is Too Wide" was originally released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The eighth track "Bitterness Burnt" was originally released on "Passengers". The ninth track "Never The Rainbow" was originally released on "The Last Bright Light". The tenth track "Smoke On The Water" is a cover of a song originally released by Deep Purple on "Machine Head". The eleventh track "Comfortably Numb" is a cover of a song originally released by Pink Floyd on "The Wall". The twelfth track "Pass The Clock" was originally released on "Passengers".

So, and unfortunately, my DVD version has less seven tracks that the limited edition released by the band has. Those seven tracks are: "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)", "Heroes Never Die", "Evergreen", "Winter Mountain", "The Spirit Of Autumn Past (Part 2)", "Overture ? The Forge Of Sauron" and "Greenwood The Great (Shadow Glades)".

As soon as the DVD begins, we all knew that we were in a presence of a great live musical experience. A large projected video displays flashed familiar images based on the Tolkien's book "The Lord Of The Rings" when we heard the song "Goodbye Alone". Throughout the concert, the video projections, which are all very well done, continue with images from nature and space that we can see when we heard the song "Passengers". At one point we can also see images from Fritz Lang's film "Metropolis" when we heard their song "Distant Train". The projections always complimented the music and never detracted from it. In addition to the regular band, a string quartet, playing behind a transparent screen, were on stage, sometimes playing as a unit, sometimes as individual musicians. This is a DVD with a fine selection of tracks up to "Passengers" album. It has also two excellent covers of the Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" and Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", in front of an appreciative hometown audience very enthusiastic. This DVD gives a good feeling of what the band are when live. I think this is the closest you'll ever get to seeing them live without being there.

Conclusion: As I mentioned above and when I reviewed the CD version of "Live At The Grand Opera House", I had the privilege to see a partial view of the show because I own a copy of the regular DVD version. And when I say, a partial view, which precisely means that unfortunately, I don't own the special limited edition with the nineteen tracks. Anyway, and despite of that, I must confess that it was a real pleasure for me to can see it. What we can hear and see on this DVD is about 78 or 130 minutes, as you have the regular or the special edition of the concert. Here we have astonishing and emotional music from a great band at the peak of their musical power. The light show was fantastic and gave the performance a depth and intensity that also visually engaged the audience. I always was a great fan of Mostly Autumn. As a conclusion, my verdict is that all Mostly Autumn's fans should have this DVD, or at least purchase the CD version.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 770

Mostly Autumn, as its name indicates, is a name that conjures the images of an October sky, and this is precisely the month when I'm writing this review, with leaves on the ground, trees preparing to sleep trough the coming season change and shortened days. This is a season sometimes with shining moments, others with raining moments and we have also sometimes storms over us. In the fall we enter to a twilight realm in which a kind of a mystical unfolding is taking place. Alike, the music of Mostly Autumn evokes all these natural diverse qualities. They've been bringing their mysterious music to us for many years now, treading the boundaries of folk, rock, prog and Celtic music, conjuring the ghosts of a past that's still subtly hanging on to the present. We have walked in their meadows, slept by the rivers, climbed mountains, strolled through valleys and journeyed to the Middle Earth. They created a very own music world.

I have always felt a very special soft spot for Mostly Autumn but unfortunately I've never had the chance to see them live. However, if their live concerts are anything like these live releases, then I have to say that I've lost too much. Certainly, their studio albums have revealed a band of growing talent and vocal prowess, but listening their music live is a very different thing. Hearing their music live for the first time, and this was my case with this live album, it opened up to me an amazing vista of hidden treasures that I didn't recognize in their studio material. Their music sparks as if something wild has been set free and, in a certain way, it has something special when performed live. I wrote all these before about this live album, because "Storms Over London Town" was my real first contact with Mostly Autumn live.

"Storms Over London Town" is the eighth live album of Mostly Autumn and was released in 2006. It was recorded from a live concert made by Mostly Autumn at the London Astoria on Saturday 4th June 2005. This live concert was played to celebrate the launch of their sixth studio album "Storms Over Still Water", an album that was released in the same year.

The line up on "Storms Over London Town" is Heather Findlay (lead vocals and tambourine), Angela Gordon (vocals, flute, keyboards and tambourine), Bryan Josh (lead vocals and lead and rhythm guitars), Liam Davison (vocals and electric, acoustic and slide guitars), Iain Jennings (keyboards), Andy Smith (bass guitar) and Andrew Jennings (drums). "Storms Over London Town" had also the participation of Ben Matthews (lead and rhythm guitars), Troy Donockley (low whistles and Uilleann pipes) and Olivia Sparnenn and Rachel Jones (vocals and backing vocals).

"Storms Over London Town" has eleven tracks. The first track "Out Of The Green Sky" was released on "Storms Over Still Water", the second track "Broken Glass" was released on "Storms Over Still Water", the third track "Answer The Question" was released on "Passengers", the fourth track "Black Rain" was released on "Storms Over Still Water", the fifth track "Never The Rainbow" was released on "The Last Bright Light", the sixth track "Distant Train" was released on "Passengers", the seventh track "Evergreen" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past", the eighth track "Carpe Diem" was released on "Storms Over Still Water", the ninth track "Finlandia" is, from what I know, an unreleased studio track by Mostly Autumn. The tenth track "Storms Over Still Water" was released on "Storms Over Still Water" and the eleventh track "The Spirit Of Autumn Past ? (Part 1)" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past".

"Storms Over London Town" is a great live gig in an unforgettable night. The first two songs are played in a very fast tempo. The up-beat tempo of those two songs continues with "Answer The Question" and the other two next songs. Ben Matthews brings "Black Rain" to a higher level with his tasty guitar playing. And with the excellent vocals of Olivia Sparnenn and a nice guitar solo at the end of "Never The Rainbow" became really worthy to be listened again. With the great instrumental track "Distant Train" the live gig turns into the more symphonic side with great keyboard riff and the unmistakeable guitar solo of Bryan. "Carpe Diem" and "Storms Over Still Water", with the lovely voice of Rachel Jones, are another two classical highlights. The show ends with "The Spirit Of Autumn Past ? (Part 1)" one of their best pieces.

Conclusion: "Storms Over London Town" is an excellent live album of Mostly Autumn that represents perfectly well their excellent studio album "Storms Over Still Water". As I wrote above, this was the album that represents my first live experience with the group, beyond the view of their excellent track "Mother Nature" on the DVD "Progressive Rock Anthology", a DVD with a collection of ten progressive live concert clips from several progressive bands and artists, already reviewed by me on this site. That clip represents also my first contact with Mostly Autumn's music. Despite be far from being one of the best live albums from the band, I recommend "Storms Over London Town" to everyone who likes melodic and accessible progressive rock with a touch of Pink Floyd's style. So, and as a conclusion, this is a nice live album, especially for all their fans, because there aren't enough typical titles from the older albums from the band.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 722

"Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" is the twelfth live album of Mostly Autumn and was released in 2011. This is a live album recorded and released with songs taken from their live tour to promote their last studio album, at the time, "Go Well Diamond Heart", which was released one year before, in 2010. Somehow, "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" became a very special live album to Mostly Autumn an all their fans because it represents the first time that a live album from the band features Olivia Sparnenn, previously the backing vocalist, as the lead vocalist of the band, taking over the duties and position vacated by their previous vocalist Heather Findlay, who left Mostly Autumn to pursue a solo musical career.

So, the line up on "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" is Olivia Sparnenn (lead vocals and tambourine), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes, keyboards and acoustic guitars), Bryan Josh (lead vocals, lead and backing guitars and acoustic guitars), Liam Davison (backing vocals electric and acoustic guitars), Iain Jennings (keyboards, piano and Hammond organ), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

"Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" has nineteen tracks. The first track "Hold The Sun" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The second track "Deep In Borrowdale" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The third track "Something Better" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The fourth track "Forever Young" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The fifth track "Ice" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The sixth track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The seventh track "The Last Climb" was released on "For All We Shared". The eighth track "Questioning Eyes" wasn't originally released by Mostly Autumn but by Breathing Space. The ninth track "Heroes Never Die" was released on "For All We Shared". The tenth track "Distant Train" was released on "Passengers". The eleventh track "Answer The Question" was released on "Passengers". The twelfth track "Caught In A Fold" was released on "Passengers". The thirteenth track "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)" was released on "For All We Shared". The fourteenth track "Go Well Diamond Heart" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The fifteenth track "Passengers" was released on "Passengers". The sixteenth track "First Thought" was released on "Passengers". The seventeenth track "For All We Shared" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The eighteenth track "Evergreen" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The nineteenth track "And When The War Is Over?" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart".

CD one opens predictably with five tracks from "Go Well Diamond Heart", their most recent work at the time. There are eight songs from that album. That isn't strange due to "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" was based on recordings from the live tour of "Go Well Diamond Heart". All those songs were performed great because in a live context they sound better. That was nice because I'm not a great fan of that album. Following the domination of "Go Well Diamond Heart", the next track "The Dark Before The Dawn" get up the quality flag of the album soon followed by "The Last Climb" another great track of the band of their beginning. The superb "Questioning Eyes" brings the first half of the livr set to a rousing conclusion. Opening the CD two is "Heroes Never Die" that gets the extended treatment thanks to a blistering solo from Josh. Disc two is, however, weighted firmly in favour of "Passengers". So, we have the excellent instrumental "Distant Train" followed by the rocking "Answer The Question" and the blues rocker "Caught In A Fold". All this represented another great moment on the set. With "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)" they returned to the great days of their starting. The title track of "Go Well Diamond Heart" is one of the most interesting songs on that album with a great wall of sound. With the title track and "First Thought" they returned to "Passengers" with another two nice tracks. "For All We Shared" shorn of the symphonic introduction is a vulgar track but "Evergreen" is a poignant reminder of the good old days. The dramatic "And When The War Is Over..." takes the final honours sounding suitably as an anthemic track.

Conclusion: It seems that Mostly Autumn have a live album for almost all studio albums and even for almost every occasion. "That Night In Leamington", also released in the same year, bid a fond farewell to Heather Findlay whilst "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" introduces to the front Olivia Sparnenn that proved to be a more than adequate replacement. As happened with their previous three live albums "Live 2009 ? Part I and Part II" and "That Night In Leamington", the second CD is better than the first. Still, I think "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" is a step bellow of those albums. However, "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" is a fine live album. It reminds me why bands like Mostly Autumn must release live albums. It confirms that Mostly Autumn remains a great live band with or without Heather Findlay. So, "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011" is a fine introduction to the band. The band is in a great shape with a Josh guitar work particularly impressing.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 718

Mostly Autumn is a British progressive rock band producing music that is heavily influenced by the classic 70's era. They have built their reputation through a constant career with many solid albums and constant tourings, never signing to a major record label. The band's early influences were Genesis, Renaissance, Deep Purple and especially Pink Floyd and the Celtic music. Later albums also include more contemporary progressive influences. Beyond the traditional rock musical instruments, the sound of Mostly Autumn incorporates many folk musical instruments like flutes, Celtic bodhran, whistles, Uilleann pipes, violins and powerful vocal harmonies, creating a sound really interesting to hear.

Mostly Autumn saw their origins in the mind of Bryan Josh in the early of 1990, but it didn't come to action until 1998. That was the year that he recruited Heather Findlay, Ian Jennings, Liam Davison, Angela Goldthorpe, Jonathan Blackmore and Andy Smith, to create a very solid line up of Mostly Autumn for the beginning of their musical career.

"Live At High Voltage 2011" is the thirteenth live album of Mostly Autumn and that was released in 2011. High Voltage is a music festival held in Victoria Park, London. This musical event hosts artists from various strands of rock music, including classic rock, progressive rock and heavy metal. The first festival was held on the 24 and 25 July 2010. The second took place on the 23 and 24 July 2011, the time where the recordings of "Live At High Voltage 2011" were taken.

High Voltage is a very good interesting rock festival with the presence of many great bands. I'm just naming the bands more connected to prog rock music. In 2010 took part Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Opeth, Transatlantic, Asia, Zappa Plays Zappa, Bigelf, Focus, Pendragon, Touchstone, Marillion, Argent, Uriah Heep, Magnum, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, Steve Hackett and The Reasoning. In 2011 we had Queensryche, Dream Theater, John Lee's Barclay James Harvest, Neal Morse, Anathema, Caravan, Amplifier, Von Hertzen Brothers, Jethro Tull, Spock's Beard, Mostly Autumn, Curved Air, The Enid and Pallas. As we can see, this is a very impressive set of band's names of our progressive rock world.

The line up on "Live At High Voltage 2011" is Olivia Sparnenn (lead vocals and tambourine), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes, keyboards and acoustic guitars), Bryan Josh (lead vocals, lead and backing guitars and acoustic guitars), Liam Davison (backing vocals electric and acoustic guitars), Iain Jennings (keyboards, piano and Hammond organ), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

"Live At High Voltage 2011" is a double live album. The first CD has six tracks, "Distant Train" from "Passengers", "Answer The Question" also from "Passengers", "Evergreen" from "The Spirit Of Autumn Past", "Deep In Borrowdale" from "Go Well Diamond Heart", "Questioning Eyes" that isn't from Mostly Autumnn but belongs to Breathing Space and "Heroes Never Die" from "For All We Shared". The second CD doesn't own any tracks but only features an interview and some never seen before photographs of the band as well as backstage footage of the High Voltage festival of 2011.

The live set features a mix of material old and new, though unsurprisingly it leant heavily on the most recent "Go Well Diamond Heart" album, the first to feature Sparnenn's lead vocals. Josh, whose vocals somehow sound more emotive live than they do on studio proved gently spoken and clearly boast a poetic sensibility when it comes to music and lyrics and his emotive Gilmour-esque guitar style is central to Mostly Autumn's music. A word of praise should also go to Anne-Marie Helder, who when she's not behind her keyboards contributing with backing vocals, switches to the flute and she adds decidedly a kind of a Jethro Tull's flavour to the likes of "Caught In A Fold" and "The Spirit Of Autumn Past: Part 2". The instrumental "Distant Train" kicked things off, a prime example of the band's multi layered epic sound. Olivia Sparnenn entered the stage as the instrumental segued to sing "Answer The Question". Her voice has a pure, ethereal quality that meshes well with the band's soundscapes. Despite being relatively new to the role, her stage presence was that of a confident front woman at ease in the spotlight. Highlights include the new song, at the time, "Deep In Borrowdale" that begins with a haunting piano intro from Iain Jennings. It slowly builds to a crescendo where Olivia really let rip vocally. Finally, the fan favourite's "Evergreen", which received the loudest cheers of this live show.

Conclusion: There is something wholly admirable about Mostly Autumn. They always had self financed their live tours and album releases and they always attracted a diehard and selected base of fans. "Live At High Voltage 2011" is a very special live album in band's discography. This is a live album recorded in a live festival. So, the people present aren't properly composed by their fan base. So, I think that is a very difficult thing to a band play in a place like that. Thus, I think "Live At High Voltage 2011" suffers from that problem. Despite Mostly Autumn are an incredible bunch of great musicians that rarely disappoint us, on this live album their live performance is a bit lower than is usual. By the other hand, the sound is lower in quality. So, rather this one, I prefer to recommend their live albums "Live 2009 ? Part I & II", "That Night In Leamington" and "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011", that show very well how great this band can be when live.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 714

"That Night In Leamington" is the eleventh live album of Mostly Autumn that was released in 2011. It was also released in the DVD format one year before, in 2010. As its name suggests it was recorded and filmed at the Assembly Rooms in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK, on 2nd April 2010, to celebrate the long time vocalist band's member Heather Findlay's period with the band. This was the last show with Heather Findlay on the band before the backing vocalist Olivia Sparnenn took over the role. Heather Findlay left the group to pursue a solo musical career. So, "That Night In Leamington" is the farewell of Heather Findlay of the group after fourteen years as a band's member on Mostly Autumn.

So, the line up on "That Night In Leamington" is Heather Findlay (lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars, whistles, recorders and percussion), Olivia Sparnenn (backing vocals and percussion), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitars, recorders and percussion), Bryan Josh (lead and backing vocals and lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars), Liam Davison (backing vocals, rhythm, acoustic guitars and 12 string guitars), Iain Jennings (keyboards and piano), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

"That Night In Leamington" has nineteen tracks. The first track "Fading Colours" was released on "Heart Full Of Sky". The second track "Caught In A Fold" was released on "Passengers". The third track "Flowers For Guns" was released on "Glass Shadows". The fourth track "Unoriginal Sin" was released on "Glass Shadows". The fifth track "The Spirit Of Autumn Past ? Part 2" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The sixth track "Simple Ways" was released on "Passengers". The seventh track "The Last Bright Light" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The eighth track "Passengers" was released on "Passengers". The ninth track "Shrinking Violet" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The tenth track "Carpe Diem" was released on "Storms Over Still Water". The eleventh track "Winter Mountain" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The twelfth track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The thirteenth track "Answer The Question" was released on "Passengers". The fourteenth track "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)" was released on "For All We Shared". The fifteenth track "Half The Mountain" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The sixteenth track "Mother Nature" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The seventeenth track "Above The Blue" was released on "Glass Shadows". The eighteenth track "Heroes Never Die" was released on "For All We Shared". The nineteenth track "Evergreen" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past".

The fact that night in the Assembly Rooms in the British Leamington Spa is also the last of their singer Heather Findlay is a little bit sad. But in view of this opulent, almost two and a half hour recording, that is quickly forgotten. The seven piece band acts live, mostly supported by a few strings, and the sound is correspondingly complex and the live flair could be captured one to one at all times. The band operates always somewhere in the field of tension between art and folk rock, and has always done quite well with this dichotomy. But it's the shorter, modest songs like the romantic piano piece "Above The Blue", the incomparable "Simple Ways" or the straight rocking "Caught In A Fold" that exude the most charm pieceshere. But of course, the long epics are still the hallmark of Mostly Autumn and "Shrinking Violet" beguiles with its broad arrangement. In "Mother Nature", which is almost 18 minutes long, the band is introduced, who otherwise always present themselves in a very modest and friendly way, and above all, Heather Findlay's almost shy announcements are just sweet. Finally, "Heroes Never Die" escalates from a simple guitar chord to a folky-rocking crescendo, and as always, it's Findlay and then backing vocalist Olivia Sparnenn who, with their incomparable voices, are already half the story determine the band. But, Mr. Josh is also allowed to use the microphone from time to time, as is usual. Wistfully, Heather Findlay says goodbye at the end and thanks to her great band with her final farewell speech.

Conclusion: "That Night In Leamington" has almost the same set list as "Live 2009 ? Part I" and "Live 2009 ? Part II", already reviewed by me. Of the nineteen tracks on "That Night In Leamington" only three of those songs, "Passengers", "Shrinking Violet" and "Mother Nature" aren't part of those live albums. By the other hand, of the eight tracks on "Live 2009 ? Part I" and twelve tracks on "Live 2009 ? Part II" only four, "Broken Glass", "Never The Rainbow", "Pocket Watch" and "Tearing At The Faerytale" aren't part of "That Night In Leamington". So, somehow, we are in presence of three similar amazing live albums. Returning to "That Night In Leamington", we are witnessing the end of a journey, a long and inspiring road, stretching back further than thirteen years. It was a final farewell to Heather Findlay's time with Mostly Autumn. To all of us it was a last chance to celebrate live the magic that Heather wove throughout that journey, a fitting testament to the end of an era. I'm sure that you will all join me saying thanks to her for so many great journey.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 710

"Live 2009 - Part II" is the tenth live album of Mostly Autumn and that was released in 2009. As I wrote before, when I reviewed "Live 2009 ? Part I", for some reason the band opted to release this live set in two different CD's. I would have preferred that it would have been released as a double CD because it would make more sense. The two discs together make up one whole Mostly Autumn's live concert, so typical of the set list on their 2009 spring live tour. Anyway, we must respect the decision of the group, and so, I'm going also to review these songs as two separated live albums.

The line up that participates on this live album is Heather Findlay (lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars, whistles and percussion), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitars and percussion), Olivia Sparnenn (backing vocals and percussion), Bryan Josh (lead and backing vocals and lead and rhythm guitars), Liam Davison (backing vocals, rhythm, acoustic and 12 string guitars, slide guitars and percussion), Iain Jennings (piano and keyboards), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

About this line up there are two things that deserve a special mention. The first is that despite have played with the band on numerous occasions, this is the first release from Mostly Autumn to feature the drummer Gavin Griffiths as a band's member. The second is that sadly it represents one of the last times to features their original former member, the vocalist Heather Findlay as a band's member. She would leave Mostly Autumn to pursue a solo musical career. I'm absolutely sure that she certainly belts her way into our hearts and that we'll miss her voice. Findlay would be replaced by her colleague Olivia Sparnenn on their next studio album "Go Well Diamond Heart", released in the next year, 2010.

"Live 2009 - Part II" has twelve tracks. The first track "Winter Mountain" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The second track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The third track "Answer The Question" was released on "Passengers". The fourth track "The Last Bright Light" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The fifth track "Above The Blue" was released on "Glass Shadows". The sixth track "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)" was released on "For All We Shared". The seventh track "Broken Glass" was released on "Storms Over Still Water". The eighth track "Never The Rainbow" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The ninth track "Pocket Watch" was released on "Heart Full Of Skye". The tenth track "Tearing At The Faerytale" was released on "Glass Shadows". The eleventh track "Carpe Diem" was released on "Storms Over Still Water". The twelfth track "Heroes Never Die" was released on "For All We Shared".

We can say the band is in a good shape bringing some of their classics as well as some of their new material at the time. On the second album the set list is better when we can enjoy the more complex songs perhaps even better than the studio versions. There's a dynamic rendition of the melodic rocking "Winter Mountain" followed by "The Dark Before The Dawn". "Answer The Question" sounds, as passionate as ever, with the duet between Heather Findlay and Bryan Josh. He has a soft timbre on "The Last Bright Light" that has an amazing performance by all band's members. The rendition of "Above The Blue" is very special with the gentle voice of Heather only accompanied by Iain Jennings on piano. An upbeat portion of the show follows with three excellent rockers "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)", "Broken Glass" and "Never The Rainbow", an old classic with a new shine. Then three quieter songs follow up with "Pocket Watch", the stirring "Tearing At The Faerytale" and "Carpe Diem" with its melancholic atmosphere. The set and this second CD close in a great way with the classic and emotional "Heroes Never Die" one the favourites of their fans.

Conclusion: As I wrote before, when I reviewed the Part I of the live album, the two parts of "Live 2009" belong, for me, to the same live album. So, personally, I would have preferred that the two CD's were released on the same live album, a double live album. However, as Mostly Autumn decided to release the two parts into two separate live albums, we must respect the decision of the band. Anyway, we can't deny that "Live 2009 - Part II" is better than "Live 2009 - Part I". The set list is better and it has also some versions even better than their studio versions. In my humble opinion, Mostly Autumn is a great live band. Almost all of their songs, when performed live, sound better than the original studio versions. Their music when played live, wins a certain dynamism and a new life. Concluding, "Live 2009 - Part II" is the better part of the two live CD's mainly because of the song choices and the overall live musical atmosphere. So and in contrast with "Live 2009 - Part I", I've should rate "Live 2009 - Part II" with 5 stars and not with the 4 stars of "Live 2009 - Part I". But, I'm still thinking the two CD's should be heard as a single live concert. They're two parts of the same coin. They belong to the same live set. So, if that had happened, I wouldn't have hesitated to give 5 stars to that live release.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 706

'Live 2009 - Part I' is the ninth live album of Mostly Autumn and was released in 2009. For some strange reason, which only the band can knows, they opted to release these live songs in two different CD's. Sincerely, I would have preferred that it would have been released as a double CD because, for me, it made much more sense. The two discs together make up one whole Mostly Autumn's live concert, so typical of the set list on their 2009 spring live tour. Anyway, we must respect the decision of the group, and so, I'm going also to review these songs as two separated live albums.

The line up that participates on this live album is Heather Findlay (lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars, whistles and percussion), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitars and percussion), Olivia Sparnenn (backing vocals and percussion), Bryan Josh (lead and backing vocals and lead and rhythm guitars), Liam Davison (backing vocals, rhythm, acoustic and 12 string guitars, slide guitars and percussion), Iain Jennings (piano and keyboards), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

About this line up there are two things that deserve a special mention. The first is that despite have played with the band on numerous occasions, this is the first release from Mostly Autumn to feature the drummer Gavin Griffiths as a band's member. The second is that sadly it represents one of the last times to features their original former member, the vocalist Heather Findlay as a band's member. She would leave Mostly Autumn to pursue a solo musical career. I'm absolutely sure that she certainly belts her way into our hearts and that we'll miss her voice. Findlay would be replaced by her colleague Olivia Sparnenn on their next studio album 'Go Well Diamond Heart', released in the next year, 2010.

'Live 2009 - Part I' has eight tracks. The first track 'Fading Colours' was released on 'Heart Full Of Sky'. The second track 'Caught In A Fold' was released on 'Passengers'. The third track 'Flowers For Guns' was released on 'Glass Shadows'. The fourth track 'Unoriginal Sin' was released on 'Glass Shadows'. The fifth track 'Simply Ways' was released on 'Passengers'. The sixth track 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past - Part 2' was released on 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past'. The seventh track 'Half The Mountain' was released on 'The Last Bright Light'. The eighth track 'Evergreen' was released on 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past'.

During this first CD the band performed some of their best songs easy to remember with some of their great classics. So, we can say that the band is in a very good shape. Together they worked through many of their old material as well as songs from their most recent work at the time, the 'Glass Shadows' album. From the opening strains of the dynamic gem of 'Heart Full Of Sky', 'Fading Colours' which is laced with an unworldly duel female vocal, we proceeds with the rocking riff heavy 'Caught In A Fold' with the very beautiful vocal work of Heather Findlay. Then, we have one of the standout tracks here 'Flowers For Guns' well sung by Findlay, as usual, which showcases one of her last tracks with Mostly Autumn. 'Unoriginal Sin', also from 'Glass Shadows', is very nice with its melody and rhythm but where the highlight goes to the melodious duet between Heather and Olivia. 'Simply Ways' with its Gilmour's tone gets its central role essentially in Bryan Josh. Next up to all these we have three of some of their most and best classics 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past ' Part 2', 'Half The Mountain' and 'Evergreen'. In reality, these songs have been heard on just about every live album of the band but still hold a very special and magic sensation on every live Mostly Autumn's live set.

Conclusion: As I wrote above, this CD only represents the first part of a double live album. So, it's very difficult for me to analyze this live album because there are only eight songs in the total of twenty songs of the live set. So, I'm going to talk about the quality of these eight songs. 'Fading Colours' opens the album magnificently in a very strong way. It always was one of my favourite songs of one of my favourite albums of the band 'Heart Full Of Sky'. 'Caught In a Fold' is a very good song from another excellent album 'Passengers'. However, the things aren't at the same level with the two next songs 'Flower For Guns' and 'Unoriginal Sin' from their album 'Glass Shadows'. Who knows my Mostly Autumn's reviews knows that I'm not a great fan of that album and I consider 'Glass Shadows' and 'Go Well Diamond Heart' the weakest of all their ten studio albums. 'Simple Ways' is another excellent song taken from their excellent album 'Passengers'. 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past - Part 2' is one of the best songs of 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past' and is also, in my humble opinion, one of their best tracks. The same applies to the next song 'Half The Mountain' that belongs to their best and greatest masterpiece, their studio album 'The Last Bright Light'. The album closes with 'Evergreen' another fine song, also taken from their great album 'The Spirit Of Autumn Past'. We are in presence of another excellent live album of Mostly Autumn with only two weak points. I think this live album deserves 4 solid stars.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

mbzr46 - In April 2022 Mostly Autumn were given the amazing opportunity to have two days in Abbey Road studios by York St John University. This recording is the result. Bryan Josh says: -"Unloading our equipment into Abbey Road - Studio 2 was like some untouchable dream you had as a child but were now part of. With the giants of music breathing down our necks and all those classic songs still ghosting in the walls, we set the band up together with a string quartet to record a live performance. There was no audience, barring the on-site engineers, film crew and some onlookers from York St John University. We all knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. This was just us performing live - a group of musicians performing as one when it really mattered, in that incredible cathedral of music history, Abbey Road - Studio 2.

THIS IS NOT A LIVE ALBUM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review Nº 683

Mostly Autumn was formed in the middle of the 90's. They're a band with a very regular musical production. So, in 1999 they released "For All We Shared" and "The Spirit Of Autumn Past", in 2001 "The Last Bright Light" and "Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings", in 2003 "Passengers", in 2005 "Storms Over Still Water", in 2006 "Heart Full Of Sky", in 2008 "Glass Shadows", in 2010 "Go Well Diamond Heart" and in 2012 their last studio album at the time "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". Besides all these studio works they released also a true very impressive amount of live works.

"Live At The Boerderij" is the fourteenth live album of Mostly Autumn and was released in 2013. It was also released in the DVD format in the same year. It was recorded and filmed live at the Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands in 15 September 2012. "Live At The Boerderij" is a live album recorded and released with songs taken from their live tour to promote their last studio album, at the time, "The Ghost Moon Orchestra" that was also released in the same year.

The line up on "Live At The Boerderij" is Olivia Sparnenn (lead vocals and tambourine), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flute and keyboards), Bryan Josh (lead vocals and lead guitars), Liam Davison (guitars), Iain Jennings (keyboards), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

"Live At The Boerderij" has eighteen tracks. The first track "Distant Train" was released on "Passengers". The second track "Unquiet Tears" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". The third track "Drops Of The Sun" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". The fourth track "The Devil & The Orchestra" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". The fifth track "Evergreen" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The sixth track "Ice" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The seventh track "Questioning Eyes" isn't a Mostly Autumn's track. It was released by Breathing Space. The eighth track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The ninth track "Deep In Borrowdale" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The tenth track "Passengers" was released on "Passengers". The eleventh track "The Last Climb" was released on "For All We Shared". The twelfth track "Tennyson Mansion" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". The thirteenth track "Wild Eyed Skies" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". The fourteenth track "The Last Bright Light" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The fifteenth track "Heroes Never Die" was released on "For All We Shared". The sixteenth track "And When The War Is Over" was released on "Go Well Diamond Heart". The seventeenth track "The Last Train" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". The eighteenth track "Tonight" was released on "The Ghost Moon Orchestra".

The CD 1 of "Live At The Boerderij" opens with a suitable atmospheric, the moody instrumental "Distant Train". It's followed by the opening three tunes from "The Ghost Moon Orchestra", "Unquiet Tears", "Drops Of The Sun" and "The Devil & The Orchestra". They showcase Josh's guitar histrionics and his raw vocals and Olivia's immaculate singing. She's also pretty skilful covering "Evergreen" a track from the time of Heather Findlay. The set list proceeds with the inclusion of the catchy "Ice" and the original Breathing Space strong emotional and breathtaking track "Questioning Eyes". The CD 2 begins in an up-tempo fashion with "The Dark Before The Dawn" and the ponderous "Deep In Borrowdale". A welcome respite from the two previous heavier tracks mayhem comes in the shape "Passengers", a very Floydian and beautiful track "The Last Climb", where Anne-Marie shines in her solo flute spot, and the more recent "Tennyson Mansion" from "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". Also from "The Ghost Moon Orchestra" we have the anthemic "Wild Eyed Skies" that precedes a couple of old favourites of their fans "The Last Bright Light" and the very emotional "Heroes Never Die" to close the main set in a fine style. The live set has also three more tracks as an encore. It starts with "And When The War Is Over" followed by the great pairing "The Last Train" and "Tonight". Here Olivia is at her best, especially on "Tonight" where she gives everything she has. This is a great way to close this excellent live set.

Conclusion: "Live At The Boerderij" represents another great live album from Mostly Autumn. It's mostly focused on their two last studio albums at the time, "Go Well Diamond Heart" and "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". However, it revisits some other studio albums. Again the band chose to release a double live album with the second CD longer than the first one. But contrary to "Live 2009 ? Part I and Part II", "That Night In Leamington" and "Still Beautiful ? Live 2011", the quality of both CD's is practically equal. However, the general quality of "Live At The Boerderij" is a bit lower of those three live albums. Anyway, "Live At The Boerderij" remains as an excellent live double album that features some of their best songs. The set list is very good and the sound quality is really superb. With this live album Mostly Autumn proved, one more time, they are still able to continue producing some of the best progressive live music in the world.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)