Jim Griffin is an Irish musician and former frontman of Celtic rockers The Fewer, The Better, and he has been writing and recording this solo album over a number of years. Based around a tale that crops up in many cultures throughout history, that of the spiritual man and his warrior companion guided by a female prophet figure, and “inspired in equal measure by the work of Albrecht Dürer, H.P. Lovecraft, Gary Gygax, Carl Sagan and Arthur C. Clarke”, The Ranger & The Cleric is presented as one continuous 42-minute song cycle.
Dreamy and elegiac, the music transports the listener into a past-future world where ancient mythology walks side by side with sci-fi, guided by a psych-folk soundtrack dominated by Jim’s various guitars, both electric and acoustic, fried by sundry electronic trickery. The evocative Celtic mist-shrouded atmosphere is occasionally narrated by intriguing lyrics that tell the story of the two wanderers, and the overall effect is reminiscent of Nigel Mazlyn-Jones, Mick Wills, or Roy Harper, but with a definite character all of its own.
Always through a glass darkly, the simple main theme ebbs and flows as the suite progresses, now and then acid-soaked, always introspective and respectful. Right from Thoughts Combine it is clear that Jim is a guitarist of some style, mixing acoustic picking with woozy psych effects to create just the right kind of ethereal atmosphere. Add in a dash of classical guitar and that opening tune sets the scene for an enjoyable journey.
By the time we get to Ancient Memories From Beneath The Pillars Of Creation the story has become fantastical and otherworldly, we are now in another universe. The music is suitably trippy, gossamer-light and borne on a cosmic wind, but always anchored by the theme.
In an age where spirituality is often lost in the mad rush to stay ahead of the game, this tale is a reminder to reconnect with matters of the soul…
Contained within are
Messages for
All our times
We hope they travel
Through uncorrupted lines
O don’t forget us…
If you are not averse to a dose of lysergic folk-prog now and again, this album is for you. The download comes with all sorts of extras, as you can see by checking out the Bandcamp link, and there is a CD version too. It is obvious that the whole project has been a labour of love, and it would be a shame for it to pass unnoticed.
TRACK LISTING
The Ranger & The Cleric
i) Thoughts Combine
ii) The Ranger & The Cleric
iii) The Visions Of The Prophet
iv) Agent Provocateur
v) In A Single Word They Were Bound To Begin And Never End
vi) Gentle Deeds To Charity
vii) Tellings
viii) Re-tellings
ix) Ancient Memories From Beneath The Pillars Of Creation
x) Into The Future But Not Into The Past
xi) Vanishing Point
Total time – 42:42
MUSICIANS
Jim Griffin – Guitars, Effects & everything else!
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Reverb Worship
Catalogue#: RW 289
Year Of Release: 2015
LINKS
Jim Griffin – Bandcamp