One of my earliest memories from childhood is my father showing me a book of song lyrics. The songs would have comprised what would later come to be known as Americana – folksy, simple, emotional and often humorous songs that…
View More Various Artists – When Will They Ever Learn? A Story Of U.S. Folk Music: 1963-1969 (4CD Boxset)
Some music is timeless. Some music is resplendent and perfect. Some music is beautiful and unique. Music Inspired by The Snow Goose is all those things and more, and has remained the pinnacle of their career ever since 1975 when…
View More Camel – Music Inspired By The Snow Goose (2CD/Blu-ray Edition)
As an avid fan of the band Comedy of Errors I was particularly excited when Machinary’s new, self-titled EP landed on my desk. Like COE, Machinary hail from Scotland and their credentials are impressive, including three current/previous COE members: Bruce…
View More Machinary – Machinary
Tony Levin’s seventh solo album, Bringing It Down to the Bass and acts as a kind of autobiography exploring themes from his musical life. It features numerous collaborations spanning his more than fifty-year career, both on tour and in the…
View More Tony Levin – Bringing It Down To The Bass
Another day, another Renaissance release. It seems as if Esoteric has gone slightly bonkers with their treatment of the symphonically inclined prog favourites, but it’s no surprise that this extremely talented group are the darlings of their collection. Instead of…
View More Renaissance – Running Hard: The Albums 1974-1976 (4CD Clamshell Box)
In a recent interview during the launch gig for Music Is Art Vol.1 Steve Balsamo and Rob Reed of Chimpan A shared their approach to writing music for this new album: ‘There are no rules – the only rule is…
View More Chimpan A – Music Is Art Vol.1
TPA’s Richard Swan and Roger Trenwith caught two different live shows from the recent Pearl Handled Revolver, ably supported by Teiger, tour. We start with Saturday’s performance at Gravesend’s Red Lion and followed by the show at the Camden Club…
View More Pearl Handled Revolver / Teiger
Whimsical Creature is the latest outlet for the songs of Michael Whiteman, whose prolific writing brought us I Am The Manic Whale, as well as Spock’s Beard keyboard maestro Ryo Okumoto’s most recent solo album. Here he teams up with…
View More Whimsical Creature – Wistful Thinking
This collection of eight short songs explores a number of emotionally charged states which are complimented by the intimate production, and uncluttered instrumentation. Some songs are beautifully unsettling. Sometimes they feel like a hug from a treasured friend. The album,…
View More Silje Marsh – Sun Will Prevail
Gary Brooker, of course, will always be associated with Procol Harum. Starting with A Whiter Shade of Pale and continuing with a series of classic tracks and albums, they went their own way in progressive and, at times, classical rock,…
View More Various Artists – Remembering Gary Brooker (Boxset)