MR. OCTOBER AND THE MOON OF MADNESS (BY A GARDENING CLUB PROJECT)

Can someone really be called a progressive artist if they have not released a concept album? Discuss. Here we find Martin again working with the Gardening Club East line-up with Kevin Laliberte taking on a lead role, while they are also joined by Drew Birston on fretless bass (which he plays as a lead instrument), Wayne Kozak on sax and Thomas Kinzel on keyboards while Martin of course provides vocals and guitars. Here we have the strange story from the late 19th Century of theatre performer Mr. October and his partner Ludmilla, where Steve Bennett has provided all the lyrics which were then put to music by Martin (and of course the booklet and cover art is all incredible, care of Martin himself).

Kevin has again brought in some of his more Eastern influences, while Martin has also allowed himself to solo on his electric at times, which is unusual for him as he generally provides support on acoustic (of which there is still plenty). I found myself being reminded in some ways of some of Clive Nolan's theatrical works, but it is the topic which is driving this as opposed to the musical style which is quite different. There is a lot of space within the music, allowing the story to breathe and adding plenty of drama and darkness to proceedings. In many ways it is one of Martin's most complex works, with the listener being taken on a real journey both lyrically and musically, the result being that this is not an album which can be dipped in and out of as there is a real progression in style and emotions and is something which should only be played when one really has the opportunity to listen to all of it without interruption, preferably on headphones. The orchestration is delicate, and this is incredibly dramatic, almost as if the music is being used like an artist's palette to paint the picture in tones instead of colours.

Martin's musical output in the last six years has been prodigious, and I can again only wonder what we would have heard if his talent had been properly recognised at the time of the original release of 'The Gardening Club' 40 years ago, but he has been making up for lost time and this album is a gem from beginning to end.