MCDONALD & GILES

McDonald & Giles is a supergroup created after both of these gentlemen's departure from King Crimson. They invited some special guests such as Steve Winwood and Peter Giles. I have mixed feelings about this album. I expected it to be a masterpiece and what came was quite a disappointment. This album is very boring, full of unfinished ideas and many fillers. There are some nice moments like "Suite in C including Turnham Green, Here I Am and others" which has sort of a Beatles-y vibe, reminiscent of "Rocky Rackoon" with great flute improvisation and a pleasant groove, but even this one has some serious flaws to it. Other songs on the Side 1 are similar - they have a potential at times, but are rather uninteresting and grey. "Birdman" suite, which takes up the whole side is no exception. Has a vibe that could be turned to a nice piece, but is created out of the wrong type of clay.

The instrumentalism on this album is great, that is what saves it in my eyes. They were good players and they show a pretty high amount of know-how. However, something is out of place here, it just does not click, the campfire does not catch fire. Two stars in their higher register is a fair rating. Once again, this does have its moments.