Prog Britannia - Album Reviews

The opening track, "People in Black", is the longest song on the album, which opens to the gentle sound of the flute, but don't be misled into thinking this is going to be a Jethro Tull-type proggy Folk album. No, because there's a crazy Hammond organist just waiting in the wings to take centre stage. This powerful number has the sound of Ken Hensley's Uriah Heep written all over it and the singer even sounds remarkably like Ken Hensley at times. This band might be "Still Life" in name, but they're certainly not "Still Life" in nature. This album rocks!! At over 8 minutes duration there's plenty of time for some keyboard histrionics and fireworks in this sonorous organic blast from the past. If you're wondering who those "People in Black" might be, then the lyrics might give us a clue:- "People in black wander round in the night, So that they can be seen, Writing their letter of protest, To say how they think things should be, About you and me, And how things should be, Writing about you and me." ..... No, we're still none the wiser, but who cares about the lyrics anyway with music as good as this. We're in full-on anthemic mode now with Song No. 2 "Don't Go". This invigorating song with a beseeching message is very reminiscent of "Sympathy" by Rare Bird. It's soulful, it's doleful, but above all, it's tremendously powerful. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this exhilarating and impassioned piece of music. We're getting all spooky now for Song No. 3, "October Witches". I'm guessing this intoxicating heavy keyboard number might have something to do with Halloween, so let's take a look at the lyrics:- "Long days ago of the summertime are fading fast, Leaves in the trees are falling at last, Darkness falls, Rooftops merge with the sky, Thought I seen something staring right in your eyes, October witches are at work again, You can say you don't believe in them." ..... Well, this song has me convinced that this is great music, regardless of whether or not one believes in witches. Just try not to have nightmares.

Onto Side Two now and Song No. 4, titled "Love Song No. 6". Confused? Me too! The song is subtitled "I'll Never Love You Girl", so it all becomes a little clearer now. It's a power ballad with a take-no-prisoners attitude. The song opens gently enough with the sound of an acoustic guitar, but the singer is ready to shout it from the rooftops, and prepare yourself for another powerful blast from the Hammond organ. In the time-honoured tradition of power ballads, it's a story of a broken relationship as these heartfelt lyrics reveal:- "I'll never love you girl, You'll never love me, I've given you eveything money could buy, Got so much pride now, Oh, but you're still too blind to see, Yes you are, too blind to see." ..... Yes indeed, whoever wrote those lyrics sounds like they were writing from bitter personal experience. Onto Song No. 5 now and it's time to wake up and smell the coffee for "Dreams". There's no chance of falling asleep and dreaming through this thunderous musical maelstrom though, with the stentorian sound of the Hammond organ making its presence loudly felt. And so, it's time now for the final song on this sensational and stupendous album with "Time", another tremendous 6-minute blast of musical dynamite, so light the blue touch paper and stand well back!

If you love the powerful Hammond organ-driven sound of Uriah Heep, then you're gonna love this album too. "Still Life" it ain't. This is rousing and rambunctious heavy British prog at its best. This long-lost album treasure is lost no more and it makes its sonorous presence felt in no uncertain terms. R U Ready 2 Rock!??

The album opens with "A Dream of You", a bluesy and soulful number in the style of Blood, Sweat & Tears, with some charming harmonising from the female backing singers. It's rock & roll with a heart full of soul, because this song has got SOUL in abundance! The song has a romantically passionate appeal, as these lyrics reveal:- "All I have to give, I'd give it all away for just a dream of you, All I ever knew, It doesn't mean anything beside a dream of you, Without a dream, Life is just a broken mirror, Without a dream of you, The way ahead don't get no clearer." It's All About Soul for the second song too with "Everybody - Nobody". It's a care-free song with a laid-back mellow groove, so if you approve, make a move, and get down into the groove. You can do a slow-dance to this groovy and breezy ballad, preferably with a romantic partner for company. "Listen To Me" the singer implores us with the next groovy ballad. It's a horny song (no, not THAT kind of horny) with the brass section sounding in fine fettle and having a blast. This song is oh-so-soulful with the sound of those lovely backing singers, they're together in perfect harmony, just like ebony and ivory, side by side on my piano, Oh Lord, why don't we..... but that's another song altogether. Onto Song No. 4 now and "Don't Pull the Trigger", a swinging and upbeat Jazzy number rooted in the blues, so what have you got to lose, put on those dancing shoes. It's "Just the Way It Goes" with the next number. This song is mellow, and it's all about a lonely old fellow, who's been given the elbow, and finds there's no pot of gold, at the end of the rainbow.

Opening Side Two, We now come to the title track, "White Lady", which features Jeff Beck on guitar. It's a soulful bluesy number which features the requisite guitar solo from Mr. Beck, and very good it is too, so take it away Jeff! "Be with You" is another song in the British blues tradition, but don't let that put you off, because it's also bright and brassy, groovy and soulful with a feel-good vibe. We're getting all religious now with Song No. 8, "Lord Who Give Me Life". Now this is the kind of uplifting spiritual music they SHOULD be playing in church. The vicar and his parishioners would be dancing down the aisle to this lively Jazzy number. Hallelujah brothers! There's "One More Dream To Hold" before we reach the end of the album. It's another nice slice of bluesy and soulful music with these imploring and heartfelt lyrics:- "Moaning pains in aeroplanes, Who's to blame in losing games, I really don't care anymore, Can't put myself there anymore, I really don't care anymore, It all goes by so fast and cold, Can I have one more dream to hold?" ..... This is British blues in the tradition of some of Paul Rodger's and Free's slower numbers, when they weren't rocking and rolling with "Alright Now" and "Wishing Well". It's time to get down and get funky now for the final song on the album, "The Hole Thing". It's a funky syncopated groove all about getting down and getting with it with your soul brothers, so shake your booty and get funky!

We're very much in Blood Sweat & Tears territory with "White Lady". This laid-back album of smooth and sophisticated Jazz- Rock is not in the slightest bit proggy, or even heavy, but if you're looking for a smooth and soulful slice of good old-fashioned British blues, blended with some bright and brassy horns,  then this might be just the album for you, especially if you're looking for fun and feeling groovy.

Many of the songs on the album have a watery theme, hence the title "Wet Dream", and so we begin with "Mediterranean Sea", an instrumental opening number which has all of the musical elements we've come to know and love over the years from Pink Floyd. There's the pleasing sound of a piano and synth combined together in perfect harmony and a gorgeous saxophone solo from Mel Collins (of King Crimson fame). It's as close to the sound of Pink Floyd as you can get without actually BEING Pink Floyd. This beautiful piece of music wouldn't have seemed out of place on the classic "Dark Side of the Moon" album. We hear the sound of Richard Wright singing solo for the first time on Song No. 2 "Against the Odds" - no relation to the Phil Collins song of the same name. The song is another pleasingly harmonious and melodious song that would be worthy of a place on any Pink Floyd album. In time-honoured tradition, where the singer wears his heart on his sleeve, it's a romantic ballad about love's mysterious ways and the sad break-up of a relationship. We're used to hearing the sound of Richard Wright's harmonising vocals on many of Pink Floyd's albums, but this is where he gets the chance to take centre-stage and really stretch his vocal chords. He sounds pretty good too as a lead vocalist for someone who's better known as a keyboard player. Returning to a watery theme again for "Cat's Cruise", another Floyd-esque instrumental number with a wonderful and mellifluous saxophone solo. Just bask in the glow of this beautifully warm piece of music and imagine yourself out on deck in the sunshine on a sea cruise. It's the kind of feel-good music that's enough to brighten up anyone's day. Sailing onwards now, we come to "Summer Elegy", an uplifting and euphonious piano number that floats over you like a warm breeze. Despite the uplifting and inspirational feel to the music, the lyrics tell a different story:- "Something's gotta give, We can't carry on like this, One year on and more, Unsure where do we go from here?, Many nights and many days I've spent with you, Talking about what we should do, I can't say, Nothing's clear to me no more." ..... Yes, it's another sad tale of love gone sour. To close out Side One, comes "Waves", another watery-themed instrumental number. It's a magical piece of music combining keyboards and saxophone in true Pink Floyd fashion. This soothing and sophisticated melody will leave you feeling like you're sailing on the crest of a wave.

Sailing onto Side Two now and we arrive at our "Holiday" destination, the longest song on the album, running at just over 6 minutes long. "Holiday" is a powerful and passionately uplifting ballad with these heartfelt lyrics:- "It was meant to be a holiday, Building castles by the sea, Another way to live for you and me, Time to pause, Consider what we've done, The wind is blowing, So come, Let's take a holiday." ..... It's a song guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings, and if this song doesn't move you, then you must be a statue. The curiously titled "Mad Yannis Dance" is up next. I've no idea what it's about as it's another instrumental piece. It's not particularly mad and you can't dance to it, but it's a pleasant-sounding number all the same, sounding like a slow plodding march. We're into funky Jazz-Rock territory with "Drop in from the Top", a lively instrumental piece with an upbeat feel to it, which leads us into "Pink's Song", another emotionally appealing ballad. This sad song continues the theme of a broken relationship with these touching lyrics:- "Patiently, you watched us play parts you'd seen before, Even then, We sometimes asked, Would you keep us all?, Caught between the tangled web, You helped set us free, Sadly, then, you lost yourself, so you had to leave." ..... It sounds like Richard Wright is writing from personal experience, straight from the heart, with those heart-wrenching and melancholic lyrics. And so, we come to the end of our wonderful musical cruise now with a lively and Jazzy instrumental number, "Funky Deux", and funky it is too!

Richard Wright has really struck gold with this masterful album of uplifting and emotionally appealing tunes. It's bound to appeal to fans of Pink Floyd, as the album has basically the same Floyd-esque sound we've come to know and love over the last five decades, the only difference being that this album has more of a Jazzy feel to it. Prepare to set sail on the musical cruise of a lifetime with "Wet Dream", a maritime delight from beginning to end. This music is just sublime!

"Sunflower Morning" opens the album like a beautiful flower blossoming in radiant sunshine. The song title perfectly matches the ebullient mood of the music. It's a powerful organ-driven sunburst of classic prog. It's atmospheric, it's anthemic, and it's terrific music. It's a feel-good opening number designed to brighten up the dullest of days. Just take a look at the positive message in these uplifting lyrics:- "To wake up one day, Find that my eyes can't believe, All the good things around, That keep happening to me, And the world is filled with love, On a sunflower morning." ..... Now that we're in buoyant spirits after such an exuberant opening to the album, let's have a listen to Song No. 2: "Angelina". No, it's not about Angelina Jolie. This is a bright and breezy Jazz-Rock number about a lady in an old folks home, reminiscing about days gone by and longing to be young again. Take a look at these heartfelt lyrics:- "Angelina remembers the pleasant days When she was young, But doesn't seem realized these pleasant days are gone." ..... It's another sassy and brassy, cheerful-sounding number, despite the sad message contained in the lyrics. Onto Song No. 3 now and "Skylight Man". What's it all about you may well ask. Take a look at these enigmatic lyrics:- "Tells me if you try to run with a skylight man, It could put a strain on your eyes, 'Cause the stage is set for a whole life, Trying to take your line to the sky." ..... No, I haven't a clue what it all means either, but it's great music. The singer sounds remarkably like Peter Gabriel on this particular song, which has to be a good thing. It's another lively Jazz-Rock number that's as bold as brass with the horn section in fine fettle. On we come now to the closing song of Side One and "Day of the Lady". It's another emotionally appealing tale of a lady longing for times gone by with these touching lyrics:- "Through the recalling she has longed in calling, For days of diamonds and lace, Victorian springs nights, Banquets by gas light, Now neon light shines on her face." ..... This charming little Jazz-Rock ditty is carried along nicely by the dulcet tones of the singer and the pleasing cadence and cascade (to quote King Crimson) of the music by this talented eight-piece group of musicians.

And so, what's next on the "Horizon" as we delve into Side Two. Song No. 5 is "Real Cool World", which was later released as a single. It's a rollicking rock & roll number brimming with energy and vitality. The single did well in Europe although it didn't make much of an impact in the U.K. The music certainly packs a punch though with the pounding rhythm and the guitarist embarking on a wild riffing spree. This song rocks!! "I Fought for Love" is up next. The keyboard player is in his element here, displaying impressive dexterity with some amazing keyboard runs in the style of keyboard maestro Ken Hensley, of Uriah Heep fame. This is Jazz-Rock with an uncompromising take-no-prisoners attitude. You're bound to be impressed by this powerful piece of music. And now we come to the epic title track, the 14-minute long "Horizons". This is where the eight musicians really get to demonstrate their individual prowess, taking it in turns with some very impressive soloing. There's a long drum solo, a sonorous keyboard solo, a flute solo, and a stunning wild guitar solo. What more could you ask for!? It's booming and bombastic and it sounds fantastic! The musicians sound like they're having a real blast here. How can you possibly follow that!? You follow it with "Again and Again", that's what. It's the closing song on the album and it's a rousing and uplifting romantic ballad, only this is no gently lilting romantic ballad. No, this is a powerful ballad going full steam ahead with the power and energy of a runaway train. Make no mistake, this is a Power Ballad with full locomotive power!

This terrific Jazz-Rock album really DOES sound like The Greatest Show on Earth, or at least it would be if you could see this album performed Live. This is bright and breezy British Jazz-Rock at its best. The music is very much in the style of early Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, so if you like those bands, then you'll love this album too. If you haven't heard this stunning album before, then you're in for a real treat. We never know what wonderful music awaits us just over the "Horizon".

The album opens in fine booming and bombastic style with "A Friend of Mine", a rollicking song driven by the sound of the powerful Hammond organ. As Ozzy Osbourne would say, "It's Rock & Roll!", and very good it is too. The song has something of a baroque feel to it, with the organist throwing in a few classically-inspired fugues for good measure. Onwards now to "While the Sun Shines", an uplifting number which you can feel free to enjoy while walking through Fields of golden barley in the warm sunshine. "Not So Good" is next, but it IS good! It's an emotionally appealing song designed to pull on the heartstrings. It's a deep and meaningful lyric with the dulcet tones of the singer giving it his all in an impassioned plea. We're getting all Folky now for the next song, "Three Minstrels", but this is Folk with a rockin' attitude. These guys could liven up any laid-back Folk-Rock convention with this very unconventional slice of rumbunctious Folk music. "Slow Susan" is next, and slow it is, but in a good way. It's always good to slot in a slow number every now and again in the middle of a rocking and rolling album. The organ soloist is in church fugue mode as he takes us on an inspirational journey in this lovely instrumental number. It's enough to make an atheist get all religious. If only all church organists were this good, parishioners would be flocking to church in their droves.

Side Two opens with "Over and Over Again", a rollicking song with it's powerful throbbing rhythm. It's another keyboard-driven ELP-style number, but without the stage antics and keyboard histrionics. It's just a good solid slice of heavy British Rock. There's a change of pace now with "Feeling Free", a rousing and uplifting song full of joy and happiness, just as the song title implies. Next up is "Fair-Haired Lady", a mournful but beautifully romantic ballad with the silver-toned singer pouring his heart out. It's a song which Uriah Heep might have recorded in one of their quieter reflective moments. Onto the penultimate song on the album and "A Place To Lay My Head", a nice solid slice of bluesy and soulful British Rock. And now we come to the final song and the highlight of the album, "The Eagle". The organist displays his classical credentials in fine style here with what sounds like a Bach cantata, before embarking on an impressive display of keyboard dexterity on the organ and then bringing the album to a close with a soothing and sophisticated piano piece. A beautiful piece of music to put the icing on the cake of a great album.

A good solid album full to the brim with the sound of powerful, organ-driven, heavy British Rock. If you're in the mood for some pile-driving, take-no-prisoners Rock, with a liberal helping of mellifluous melodies thrown in too, then this is the album for you. These are Fields of Gold!