STILL [AKA: STILLUSION]

The word charming comes to mind everytime I hear this lovely recording, understanding very clearly that this is not for everyone. In fact, many dislike Sinfield's lyrics as being way too quirky and overblown : "The Seagoat casts aquarian runes through beads of mirrored tears" does definitely stretch the boundaries for those you are comfortable with "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah" or "da, da, da" or "life is Life, dada dadadada". But in retrospect , his penmanship was unique, different and luxuriant to say the least. "Song of the Seagoat" is an alltime fave with a beautiful melody inspired by Vivaldi's Four Seasons and with Keith Tippett's cascading piano. "Under the Sky" evokes KC's "I Talk to the Wind" both gentle uplifting ballads both co-penned by Ian MacDonald. The next two cuts are tinged with a pseudo country feel with a lyrical nod to KC's "CatFood". The title cut is an achingly memorable power ballad where Sinfield's delicate poetic voice is overtaken by Greg Lake's majectic segue, perhaps one of his most imperial vocal performances ever ("Ceasars and Pharaohs"). Goosebumps every time. "Envelopes of Yesterday" evokes hints of the "Islands " period and "Piper" remains in a very folkish vein. "House of Hopes and Dreams" is another winner with a great brass propelled finale. The final cut is more mercurial with Mel Collins putting in some memorable blasts on sax augmented by "gargoyles chewing on wet cigars" . Though not as musically accomplished as In The Court, In The Wake , Lizard or Islands, this one-shot personal musical postcard has withstood the test of time nicely and remains a mystical companion forevermore. 4 prophetic heroes