KEN
HENSLEY & VISIBLE FAITH "A Glimpse of Glory" (Revised
Version)
This
is the album that expresses Ken's religious beliefs as alluded to on
'Running Blind'. Ken was of course the keyboard player/ song writer
with 70s legends Uriah Heep and on this CD is accompanied by a band
that is unfortunately not identified by name. In fact the only information
given on the sleeve is the track listing, the fact that the songs were
written between 1999 and 2001 and cover credits / contacts.
This is a pity because there's some great playing here with three tracks
'Jesus (Again & Again'), '(Because of) Who I Know' and the lovely
instrumental 'Instruments of Peace' standing out on my first couple
of listens.
As the press release says the CD swings and it rocks. It is also a very
personal album probably best enjoyed by those who are seeking or have
found faith who will be in a better position to appreciate the 'message'.
(Although it should be noted that some of the songs are more 'generic'
in lyrical content) Certainly if this type of music were played in church
on a Sunday the attendance figures (of the 'young at heart' anyway)
would soar!
Ken may well have found himself a new market!
Contact: www.mysticrecords.co.uk
(Mystic Records MYS CD 157)
(Phil Jackson) musician
and reviewer
Buy online 
T
HALLENBECK - Secret Society
This
one leapt up the queue with unseemly alacrity for, with apologies to
all my musical friends out there, this is not only one of the best CDs
this year, but one that went straight into the not too large pile marked
'essential'. "Secret Society" barely crawls over the 18 minute
mark, contains 9 songs lasting under 2 minutes on average, and is a
rare and wonderful thing of beauty.
Combining
a striking spiritual lyricalism, an almost child like dream quality,
and a marvellous way round guitar, cello, mandolin and mandola, T Hallenbeck
(say it with a Canadian accent) has stripped music back to the bare
essentials, invoking memories stripped naked. Many years ago, I heard
a record called "Highdown Fair" by Angelo Branduardi, which
brought me near to tears with its simple beauty. Today, 15 years on,
I (almost) forgave katiebitchwhore:-)
This
is what music should be like. Asking questions, probing emotions, seeking
truth. "Good music for bad times" - nuff said.
http://www.thtunes.com
thallenbeck@hinterland.org
JACK MONCK
"Inside The Whale"
I
was very pleased to receive this CD partly because I had been perplexed
by the last CD on which I had heard Pip Pyle, one of my favourite all-time
drummers play.
While 'The Pig Party' was experimental (Nothing wrong with that- I just
couldn't get into it) 'Inside The Whale' could be labelled 'jazz'.
'Inside the Whale' started off as a collection of demo songs in 1983
written by Jack (except '39' by Amy Chan and 'Four Letter Words' co-written
with Bobby Ingrams) and was inspired by the George Orwell book of essays
of the same name.
Jack, ex Delivery and The Stars (with Syd Barrett) handles the bass,
guitar and vocals accompanied by Pip (Laurie Allan drums on tracks 12-15,
the last two of which are alternative versions)
Additional musicians are Sue Ellery and Amy Chan on piano, Paul Westwater
on electric guitar and Bill Gilliam on Rhodes, clavinet and vibes (Tracks
12-15)
The music is for the most part great with 'Blues For Ray', 'Black Witch'
and 'Back on the Train' (The guitar reminded me of Steely Dan) and the
syncopated jazz of 'Conundrum' standing out on the first few listens.
Concepts usually bring out the best in musicians I think although the
Latin style of 'City Life' and the stylised 80s 'pop' of 'I'd Like'
disturbed the continuity of the album somewhat.
Having said that it's a charming album and one that I've returned to
a lot in the past couple of weeks. It will certainly go on my recommended
list of 2002- well done to Pip Pyle (Jack says in his sleeve notes that
without him the project would never have reached your ears) and to Voiceprint
for ensuring its release.
The front cover shows a man dozing in a chair with music on and a baby
crying- no danger of that with this relaxing piece of popular jazz history!
Buy online
(VP 241 CD)
(Phil Jackson) musician
and reviewer
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