THE GATHERING LIGHT

"The Gathering Light" is the fourth studio album of Karnataka and was released in 2010. It only happened seven years after their previous studio album "Delicate Flame Of Desire". Since then, the band have split and reformed with the only surviving member, Ian Jones, carrying the name forwards in a completely new incarnation. Thus, this is an album featuring almost a new line up, after the disbanded of the group in 2004 due to unforeseen personal circumstances. From their classic line up, Rachel Jones decided to take time out from the music business and Jonathan Edwards, Anne-Marie Helder, Paul Davies and Gavin Griffiths formed Panic Room, in 2006, remaining only Ian Jones in the group.

So, the line up of the album is Lisa Fury (lead vocals and percussion), Ian Jones (bass guitars, keyboards, piano, bass pedals, bodhran, percussion and programming), Enrico Pinna (lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars), Gonzalo Carrera (keyboards and piano) and Ian Harris (drums). It has also the participation of Troy Donockley (whistles and Uilleann pipes), Hugh McDowell (cello) and Philippe Honore, Bridget Davey, Clive Howard and Jane Fenton (violins).

"The Gathering Light" has eight tracks. The first track "The Calling" written by Jones starts the album with a very short and mellow instrumental piece of music. It's a song dominated by the Uilleann pipes performed by guest musician Troy Donockley, together with some atmospheric keyboard sounds played by Gonzalo Carrera and by Ian Jones himself. The second track "State Of Grace" written by Jones and Carrera represents another instrumental track. It's an up tempo piece of music that shows for the first time how strong are the new players with their instruments. Most of all, guitarist Enrico Pina shows how brilliant he is. This instrumental piece of music just sounds fantastic and at some moments it reminds me a little "Awaken" of Yes. The third track "Your World" written by Fury, Jones and Carrera is the song that gives for the first time the opportunity to hear the voice of the new female singer Lisa Fury. And the only thing I can say is that she shines in full glory. We can't compare Lisa's voice to the voice of the former female singer Rachel Jones. However, both voices are absolutely amazing and beautiful. The fourth track "Moment In Time" written by Fury and Jones represents a musical magic moment of music in terms of melody and vocal performance. It's true that it's a track with some pop influences, but however it's so beautiful that we can forget that. Once more we have the beautiful sound of the Uilleann pipes of Troy Donockley. The fifth track "The Serpent And The Sea" written by Fury and Jones is an epic track with over ten minutes long. Despite isn't a too complex song this is a song that suits very well with great musical performance by all band's members. In my humble opinion, the progressive rock influences rules are present on the entire album. The sixth track "Forsaken" written by Fury and Jones is probably one of the best tracks on the album. The climax of this song is just awesome and builds up to an incredible and great drum rhythms. It's a long song with great melody and orchestration that makes us completely surrender to it. Lisa has a wonderful gesture having dedicated this song to her mum and dad. The seventh track "Tide To Fall" written by Fury and Jones is a song that stands out from the rest of the album. It's an excellent song, once more with a very beautiful melody and with a clear slight Arabic feel. This is a song that my imagination can see clearly Lisa Fury to move eloquently like a real belly dancer. It's another great track, short, direct and effective. The eighth and last track is the title track "The Gathering Light" written by Fury, Jones and Carrera. It represents the perfect ending to this excellent comeback studio album of the band. Again we can hear Troy Donockley and his Uilleann pipes, the cello of Hugh McDowell and the wonderful string quartet for the first time. This is a monumental beautiful piece with masterful proportions that made many people love the music of them.

Conclusion: It's very impressive to me that a band that was practically reduced to ashes with only one remaining member may have returned from its grave with an album with the great quality of "The Gathering Light". All eight tracks are great and tender but it's in the details of the individual musicians that the magic of the album surely resides. Enrico Pina brings expression, sensitivity and emotion to his playing that the guitar melodies could be considered in the same way as vocal lines. Gonzalo Carrera has contributed to the album colours and every moment with his truly wonderful keyboard arrangements. These lead characters (guitars and keyboards), are very well supported throughout by a very dynamic and articulate rhythm section performed by Ian Jones and Ian Harris. Crowning the whole affair is Lisa Fury's vocal work. She contributes with emotional depth and passionate delivery with technical brilliance putting her with one of the best female vocalists, not only of her generation, but amongst those before her that left their distinctive mark in this genre of music. Thus, "The Gathering Light" is highly recommended to everybody who likes the older albums made by Karnataka, but also for those who like bands such as Yes, Genesis, Mostly Autumn, Iona, Clannad and Renaissance.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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