DANCING WITH GHOSTS

Dancing With Ghosts is a five track EP that was Alan Reed's first solo release (after being sacked by Pallas, the band he had fronted since the 80's). It features acoustic versions of songs from throughout Reed's career, including songs he originally recorded with Pallas, Abel Ganz, and on his own. Sanctuary (The Return) originally appeared on 1986's The Wedge (the first Pallas album featuring Reed). This version is shorther and obviously simpler in its instrumentation. Who's to Blame? is another Pallas track, originally from the excellent The Cross And The Crucible from 2001. Next up is Kean On The Job from Abel Ganz 1984 debut album Gratuitous Flash. The final two tracks are solo numbers that later were re-recorded for Reed's full-length debut First In A Field Of One released this year (2012). Begin Again was substantially re-worked for that album, and this earlier stripped-down acoustic version sounds very simple by comparison. But it is an excellent song.

Taken for what it is, this acoustic EP is a pleasant listen, but almost per definition it is a release only for fans and collectors. (First In A Field Of One, on the other hand, is highly recommended!)