DESTINATIONS

Way surely needs no introduction, as his work with Curved Air was ground-breaking in so many ways. An established multi-instrumentalist, here he restricts himself to mainly violin and electric guitar (with keyboards mostly for melodic support as opposed lead), alongside drummer Pete Skinner and bassist Richard Mead. Darryl Way says the album is "a collection of 10 pieces that set out to conjure up images of far off and exotic locations like Antigua or imagined settings like Metropolis or Mystic Mountains. Like my previous album 'Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Rock', 'Destinations' could be described as programme music, music that evokes atmospheres and impressions."

It certainly is dreamlike at times, and even though his electric violin playing can be quite ferocious, it never really feels aggressive. It is an album which feels like it belongs in the background to create a mood, or played at night when one wants to let the mind wander (although one needs to be careful as there is always the danger it might not come back!). Reflective and delicious, it ties in well with the photo on the album as the passengers fly towards the sun, being taken on a journey to new destinations. While never essential, this is an album which can be easily played and enjoyed.

Darryl Way was 16 when he won a scholarship to Dartington College of Arts to study violin, after leaving college he teamed up with Francis Monkman to found the rock band Curved Air, he wrote the music for the top 4 hit, Back Street Luv. After calling Curved Air a day he released several solo albums in the genres rock and classical, among these, was a Concerto For Electric Violin. His musical collaborations include Tim Rice and Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), orchestrating and conducting A Whiter Shade of Pale and Salty Dog. Daryl also did work for the television (ITV and BBC) and advertising (writing the music for Jaguar, Lindt Chocolate, Whiskas and Phillips Whirlpool). As a violinist he has lead the London based Electric Symphony Orchestra for concerts at the Royal Festival Hall. As a session musician he has performed solo violin on the Jethro Tull album Heavy Horses, the Sky 2 album and the Marrianne Faithfull single Broken English. He has also played with the National Philharmonic Orchestra on film scores such as Die Hard, Licensed To Kill" and Baron Munchausen. Darryl also had the pleasure of performing with Eric Clapton on two occasions, for charity concerts. Finally, during his career, Darryl has created and been a major part of over twenty commercially released albums. An impressive musical curriculum vitae!

As a huge fan of the electric violin I am very much into the work of Eddie Jobson (not solo) with UK and Jethro Tull, and Jean-Luc Ponty, but for me Darryl Way is pretty much unexplored territory. In fact this album is my first musical encounter with his solo ambitions. I am pleasantly surprised by the huge variety on Destinations.

Up-tempo rock in Downtown (heavy guitar and Sixties guitar sound), The Restless City (also drenched in the Sixties, like The Ventures and The Shadows), Antigua Bay (very tasteful arranged) and the swinging Freedom Road.

A dreamy atmosphere in The Stars (movie soundtrack climate), The Wild West (wonderful orchestral keyboards and tender classical guitar and violin, alongside some sumptuous outbursts), A Rainy Day (romantic keyboards, guitar and violin), Riviera Blue (tango-like rhythm, Sixties guitar sound and subtle electric guitar solo) and Mystic Mountain (melancholical violin and halfway a moving guitar).

The track Metropolis Darryl Way delivers his outstanding skills on the violin, from intense to swirling, along with tasteful work on the guitar.

To me this new solo album sounds very pleasant and varied, the rhythm-section with Pete Skinner on drums and Richard Mead on bass does a good job, and Darryl Way not only plays good violin but also features tastefully arranged work on guitar and keyboards.

My rating: 3,5 star.

This review was previously published on the website of Background Magazine, the oldest Dutch progrock source.