I have followed and enjoyed White Willow’s music since I first discovered them, avidly collecting their releases of which Storm Season, originally released in 2004 and subsequently remastered and re-released in 2024, is my current favourite. Signal To Noise is the latest in the ‘remastered re-release’ program from the Karisma Records label and is the fifth out of the six planned – and available on vinyl for the first time. The remastering has been done by Jacob Holm-Lupo himself and he has injected a new life into this album, even though the original release sounded good. This release has been long out of print, so for fans who do not possess it here is a great chance to bolster that collection.
Now the first thing to note is the track listing which is significantly different to the CD release copy that I have, I am guessing this change in running order is to accommodate its release on vinyl for the first time. This change does not appear to be a bad thing, in fact it may enhance the album as the order appears to work just fine. If, like me, you already have a CD version and decide to purchase the vinyl, you will be able to decide for yourself.
Following on from the previous release Storm Season there is distinct change in sound as it is here where they attempted to break out from their established Seventies prog sound. That said, here on Signal to Noise they lay the groundwork for their next album Terminal Twilight and whilst holding on to elements of Storm Season the blended result here work well and in their favour. With this change in ‘sound direction’ they decided to work with an outside producer to help with the process, finally settling on Tommy Hansen. The band therefore decamped to Denmark and spent time at Hansen’s garden studios in Horsens. There was also a significant change from the previous albums, with the departure of Sylvia Erichsen, Trude Eidtang was brought in to handle the vocals. It was felt that she was comfortable to experiment with vocal harmonies, which are used throughout the album to great effect.
For this release, as previously mentioned, Jacob Holm-Lupo has personally handled the remastering and it is clear his love of the White Willow project shines through in the meticulous remastering process. He has injected new life into the album – the sound is clear and sharp with good separation for the instruments and the vocals and vocal harmonies stand out. And those vocal harmonies, provided by the incoming Trude Eidtang, stand out with the album opener Night Surf, being clear and precise and sit well within the musical framework of the song. Towards the end of the song there is some great guitar work, prominent but not overpowering the rest of the sound, which demonstrates the skilful mix and remaster that Jacob has done.
There are eight tracks on the album ranging in duration from the closer Ararat, an atmospheric one and a half minute piece to the longest The Lingering clocking in at over nine minutes. And The Lingering is the band at their finest. A slow atmospheric start with Trude’s vocals prominent over a rich tapestry of guitars and the occasional piano flourish, before the band kick in, featuring some nice guitar and keyboard work. Around the six minute mark there is a quiet atmospheric interlude before the song grows in intensity as we head towards its climactic conclusion. With somewhat moving lyrics beautifully delivered by Trude, this song demonstrates the way forward for the band which appears on future releases.
This is a nicely presented remaster, with the LP copy presented in bone white vinyl along with the restored original artwork to complete the package. Well worth adding to your collection if you are a White Willow fan, plus a good stating point if you are new to their music.
TRACK LISTING
01. Night Surf (4:13)
02. Dusk City (6:20)
03. Joyride (4:29)
04. Chrome Dawn (7:30)
05. The Dark Road (4:28)
06. Splinters (8:44)
07. The Lingering (9:38)
08. Ghosts (6:03)
09. Ararat (1:38)
Total Time – 53:31
MUSICIANS
Trude Eidtang – Vocals
Lars Fredrik Frøislie – Acoustic & Electronic Piano, Hammond C3, Mellotron
Jacob Holm-Lupo – 6 & 12-String Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Electric Sitar, e-Bow, Additional Keyboards
Marthe Berger Walthinsen – Bass, China Cymbal Smashing
Auge Moltke Schou – Drums, Percussion, Glockenspiel
Ketil Einarsen – Woodwinds
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Karisma Records
Country of Origin: Norway
Date of Release: 28th March 2025
