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Review – Simon McKechnie – Retro – by John Wenlock-Smith
I must confess that until he was signed to Bad Elephant Music, I was not familiar with any of Simon McKechnie’s otherwise extensive back catalogue. This is perhaps a good thing, as one comes to his work without any preconceived ideas or expectations. This new album ‘Retro’ is his debut for BEM and rather an…
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Review – Transatlantic – The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version) by John Wenlock-Smith
This February sees a new album from the Neal Morse/Mike Portnoy – Transatlantic realm of progressive activity entitled ‘The Absolute Universe’. This is a little different though in that this album exists in two main versions, this review covering ‘The Absolute Universe – Forevermore (Extended Version)’. We are informed that each of the albums are…
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Review – Downes Braide Association – Halcyon Hymns by John Wenlock-Smith
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Review – Steve Hackett – Under a Mediterranean Sky – by John Wenlock-Smith
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John Wenlock-Smith Interviews Chris Braide of Downes Braide Association
Chris Braide of Downes Braide Association talks about the new album ‘Halcyon Hymns’. John Wenlock-Smith: Good day Chris, are you well Chris Braide: Yes, I am fine thank you getting on as best as we all can in these times. JWS: I do like the new album (‘Halcyon Hymns’), I think it is quite positive. CB: That…
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Interview With Steve Hackett by John Wenlock-Smith
Steve Hackett talks about his new acoustic album ‘Under A Mediterranean Sky’, released on the 22nd January 2021. John Wenlock-Smith: So how are you Steve, how’s lockdown been treating you and Jo Steve Hackett: It is a strange time, at least some of us will get vaccinated soon. I am okay, I have had a bit…
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Review – Tiger Moth Tales – The Whispering Of The World – by John Wenlock-Smith
This is the latest album for Tiger Moth Tales (aka Peter Jones) but this time around it is a quite different beast indeed. This album is a marked departure from the glorious madness and tomfoolery that Peter has offered up with earlier albums like ‘Cocoon’ and ‘The Depths of Winter’ and is far more direct…
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Review – Mark Kelly’s Marathon – by John Wenlock-Smith
Well, this one nearly passed me by but, thankfully, thanks to recommendations from a friend, I was able to capture this one. Apparently Mark Kelly has been planning a solo album for nearly 30 years but it was the national lockdown that was the window in which he was finally able to realise his plans.…
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Review – Rain – Singularity – by John Wenlock-Smith
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Review – Multi Story – CBF10 – by John Wenlock-Smith
Multi Story have a long and somewhat checkered history. Hailing from South Wales, they came to prominence in the mid 1980’s when their blend of symphonic progressive rock led to them being chosen by Birmingham’s finest Magnum as a support group for their On A Storyteller’s Night tour in 1985, memorably playing a set with…