Hot on the heels of his classical-acoustic travelogue Under A Mediterranean Sky, which was released in January and hit Number 2 in the UK Classical Album Chart, Surrender of Silence is a further exploration of Hackett’s love of world music, discovering different sounds, moods and textures to deliver a rock album of extraordinary variety, power and beauty. As with Under A Mediterranean …
Jun 19 2021
My Prog Pandemic.
In my last blog I discussed how the pandemic appears to have honed the production and creative skills of many musicians. Such an almost science fiction scenario in which we find ourselves living could only spell misery surely? Well, my own experience has been a very mixed bag and despite the whole world being in …
May 21 2021
The Covid leveller
No, it’s not a song from the new Tangent album or a statement from Boris, just a personal observation of the current state of affairs in general, though more so in my beloved passion for music. This notion began last year whilst listening to Pendragon’s rather wonderful Love Over Fear album. It made me …
Apr 25 2021
Lifesigns | Altitude
Lifesigns are a band of musicians who over their first two albums gave the impression of evolving. Their first album I considered enjoyable the failed to give me the wow factor whilst the bands second album Cardington saw the band hitting their stride creating something rather special. Their third strike Altitude finds the unit of …
Mar 16 2021
If music be the spice of life…..
It will come as little surprise to those nearest and dearest that I am a dyed in the wool whisky lover. I mention this because I was once told by the head honcho of the Whisky club of Great Britain or some such institute that, and I quote “one should never drink a good malt …
Mar 03 2021
Illuminae | Dark Horizons
Ian Jones may be thought of as the founding member and bassist with Welsh folk rockers Karnataka, however, this in my view is selling him a little short. Having recorded six albums with Karnataka Ian spearheaded a side project Chasing The Monsoon releasing the excellent No Ordinary World in 2019 and already colluding with Polish …
Mar 02 2021
Pandemic Prog
So, as we enter the apocalypse of rising sea levels, melting ice caps, a global pandemic and a worldwide financial meltdown. Death, decay violence and murder high on the agenda both in reality and via media and home entertainment. Celebrities basking in their own importance and self-gratifying needs complete with bright white teeth and …
Jan 17 2021
Not so happy new year
2021 started pretty much as I expected it to following the none events that were Christmas and new year. Like many, the worry of severe financial problems in my case none pandemic related, the brake down of a family relationship and saddened by a family death I was already finding it very hard to stay …