Boudicca Records
Prog Rock lost its way for a while. It was still around but there wasn’t a lot of progressing going on, most bands seemingly happy to emulate their predecessors or attempt something new without any real thought, just trying to be different. Thankfully, over the last decade, a slew of new Prog bands has sprung up that have gone back to square one and are composing some terrific, new, music. There is certainly a resurgence of the genre in the UK with bands offering something off-the-wall, comprehensive and original. EBB drop right into that category as this, their second full album, shows. Not only have they come up with the goods to prove their worth, they have created something that should catapult them into the frontrunners of the genre.
“Evenfall” is a gentle opening song of layered vocals and piano that links via a very well-placed sound effect to “Reason” where the whole band get the opportunity to contribute. It’s a slow burn that hints at the musician’s potential which by the end of the record, you will be admiring on every level. They are clearly all very competent but show considerable restraint when needed which adds space to the songs, allowing the band as a whole to shine. Erin’s voice is at times emotional, beautiful, warm and straight forward, all of which she puts into the title track of the album as it runs through several musical changes.
The production and sounds have an old school feel. A haunting Mellotron opens “Take to the Stars”, dry drums and bass then take over with a distorted guitar before a synth cuts the air after which, a Hammond hovers in the background of an up-front vocal. Producers Bad Dog (bass) and Nikki Francis (keys, sax, flute, clarinet) have not swamped the instruments and vocals in effects, which gives the mix crystal-clear clarity and depth. The rest of the sextet comprises the lady herself, Erin Bennett (EBB - Erin Bennett Band) who writes all the songs, takes guitar duties and lead vocals, Anna Fraser is on drums and percussion, Suna Dashi sings backing vocals and plays synths while the delightfully named, Kitty Biscuits, also does backing vocals and adds spoken word poetry.
EBB closed their set at this year’s A New Day Festival with “Geneva” and it closes this album as well. It’s a simple song and all the elements of the band along with the recording throughout the album seem to be leading to this final piece. It leaves you with that ‘satisfied but wanting more’ feeling like the denouement of a book or – as in my case – eating the last After Eight in the box and like both of those examples, The Mirror satisfies from beginning to end.
​
Track List
Evenfall
Reason
No Ones Child
The Mirror
That’s How It Goes
Cuckoo
Take To the Stars
Day 19
Geneva
ALBUM
EBB
THE MIRROR
ALBUM
DAVE BAINBRIDGE
ON THE EDGE (of what could be)
Open Sky Records
It seems like a lifetime ago…but then again, it seems like yesterday, since Mr Bainbridge released To the Far Away. In actual fact, it was in 2021, the covid years which does, indeed, seem like both a lifetime ago and yesterday. Dave is very much in demand these days, playing with Lifesigns as well as Colin Blunstone’s band and touring with Sally Minnear as a duo, so it’s no surprise that On the Edge (Of What Could Be) has taken a bit longer than expected.
It was worth the wait; this two CD set is a magnum opus. Playing guitars and keyboards, he has a plethora of talent with him to bring out the best in his compositions; the man himself also both produced and mixed album. There are long pieces, short pieces, ones that are aerious, others that have all the musicians in full flight. Some chop and change and others are delightfully simple. All of them showcase Dave’s passion and understanding of Celtic music, using a rich blend of enchanting voices and modern and classical instruments. Medieval horse bells anyone?
A soft, welcoming, layered keyboard and vocal track settles you into the album and from thereon, it’s an aural overload of atmospheres from beginning to end. “On the Slopes of Sliabh Mis” runs the gauntlet of sonics, with parts that flirt and excite of what is to come contrasting with quieter moments that have you floating away. “That They May Be One” is an exquisite electric piece accompanied by gentle keyboards while “The Whispering of the Landscape,” is destined to become an acoustic solo to study for aspiring Prog/Classical guitarists on a par with Steve Howe and Steve Hackett’s most well-known works. Dave even gives you the tuning for this one so dust off that old acoustic you have in the loft folks.
Disc 2 opens with a quite extraordinary composition. Dave writes in the liner notes that he wrote it around an improvised drum track that Simon Phillips recorded in one take. Think about that…I don’t think that’s ever been done before but there again, when you have Simon around you, anything is possible. Jon Poole on bass shows real quality on this track as well, playing not only to Simon’s part but counterpointing Dave’s lines, somehow gluing them together and adding his own personality. As if that were not enough, given that keyboards are his second instrument, Dave plays some nifty runs and fills that echo Classic Prog’s greats towards the end of this one. “Fall Away” is magnificent. The longest track, clocking in at over sixteen minutes, has all his guests on fire – Sally Minnear and Iain Hornal are exceptional throughout the album. It doesn’t have the proverbial kitchen sink but it does have tea and Branston pickle (apparently).
Soothing vocals drifting off into the distance close the album, echoing the opening. Like waking up from a wonderful dream, you’re back in reality. Press ‘Play’ and drift off once again or better still, keep on ‘Repeat’.
Track List
Disc 1
For Evermore
On the Slopes of Sliabh Mis
Colour of Time
That They May Be One
On the Edge (Of What Could Be)
The Whispering of the Landscape
Hill of the Angles
Disc 2
Farther Up and Farther In
Reilig Òdhrain
Beyond the Plains of Earth and Time
Fall Away
When All Will Be Bright