THE POET AND THE PRIEST

This Australian artist is a very versatile and creative mind: actor, author, composer, musician and responsible for many album releases, theater productions, plays for movies, he has a grade in 'drama' and lots of experience in music, theater music, drama and as a session-musician he joined on many records. Quite an impressive curriculum vitae that started to shape when Gavin began learning bagpipe at the age of eleven. He took part in Highland competitions in several groups and then he focussed on learning guitar, keyboards and flute. Influenced by the progrock by early Genesis, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel started to integrate the keyboard sound in his theater productions that became more and more bombastic and complex. If you visit his website, you will discover how prolific Gavin is! This is his fourth and latest effort, released in 2007, a while ago.

On the CD The Poet And The Priest the concept story is about two young friends and the development of their friendship and life. The music sounds like melodic symphonic prog featuring lush vintage keyboards, sensitive electric guitar work and pleasant vocals that reminds me of fellow Australian Les Dougan (from legendary Australian neo- progrock band Aragon) and Fish because of the tonation. Although the sound is often laidback, this is not an album to get asleep because of some varied and dynamic tracks.

Like the alternating Lovers : heavy church-organ sound, a delicate strings-sound and fluent synthesizer runs.

The Open Road : great build-up with howling guitar and sumptuous keyboards.

The Pit : wonderful keyboard sound delivering The Mighty Tron, church-organ and spectacular synthesizer flights.

The Marillion-like The Open Road Revisited : mid-tempo with inspired vocals and moving guitar.

The very symphonic Bird Of Life : beautiful work on the Mellotron and a lush Hammond organ sound.

And the strong final song The Dance : very compelling with fine vocals and keyboards.

Don't expect groundbreaking or complex prog, just enjoy this honest tribute to symphonic prog featuring tasteful arranged tracks and wonderful vintage keyboards!