JABBERWOCKY

This project is one that Clive and I discussed a few times before it finally came to fruition. It tickled him to think of recording an album which featured Rick Wakeman talking instead of playing keyboards, and that also featured Oliver but not his more well known brother, Adam. This is a concept album loosely based around the famous Lewis Carroll poem of the same name, with Rick taking the part of The Narrator: Bob Catley plays the part of The Boy, with Tracy Hitchings as The Girl.

The album is very much in the same theme as concept albums of the Seventies. In fact it reminded me somewhat of Rick's own 'King Arthur'. This is due in no small part to the fact that Clive has successfully distanced his writing from his previous albums/bands/projects, so that this doesn't sound as if it is from Thin Ice. Also, by using musicians who are not normally associated with him (such as Peter Banks and Tony Fernandez) he has also created some space. The keyboards are very dynamic, with strong interplay, and the long instrumental passages work very well in an orchestral fashion. The result is an album that has to be listened to in its' entirety to get the full benefit, but it is worthwhile and very enjoyable. The booklet is well laid out and the use of Rodney Matthews as the cover artist also harkens back to another age and era. If you ever enjoyed listening to concepts in the Seventies (and who didn't?) then this is an album that you will thoroughly enjoy.

Feedback #58, May 2000