A SEER IN THE MIDST

I reviewed YOKE SHIRE's debut album "Masque Of Shadows" in Prog-Reviews nr 9 - 2001 and gave it a 9 out of 10 rating. It was a stunning debut with a modern sound but music with 70's influences. The band is at the moment only two brothers named Brian and Craig Herlihy. "A Seer In The Midst" isn't a new album, but a compilation of material from their entire career. The first two opening new songs have reminiscences to JETHRO TULL and is a nice appetizer of things to come. The 28 minutes long live version of the "Maiden Voyage" Trilogy is really real nice too. It's recorded live at Durgin Hall, Lowell, MA, USA at the "Masque of Shadows" CD release concert on April 17, 1999. The original 17 minutes studio version was released on their debut album "Masque Of Shadows". Finally there are three tracks from YOKE SHIRE's first studio sessions, recorded on a shoestring budget and released as an EP in 1995. YOKE SHIRE's music has reminiscences to the already mentioned JETHRO TULL, but also PINK FLOYD and 70's hard rock and progressive rock. My personal favorite is the closing masterpiece and title track "A Seer In The Midst" with its medieval influences. If you don't own their debut CD I suggest you buy it immediately. If you like it then you have to buy this compilation album too!