Dean Archer - Review of “Progfest 2018” (The Rock Den)

Saturday, February 24th saw Prog come to town at the Den in the guise of IT and The Gift. And what a gem of a gig it was too...

...making a welcome return to the Den, The Gift. Well, if it's passion, emotion, stunning musicianship and a great live show you want, look no further. Mike Morton heads up the band in a wonderful theatrical style, performing the tracks with voice, body and accompanying facials. Think Meatloaf, throw some classic prog and decent clothes at him, and there you go. I perhaps do Morton and an injustice here, but just trying to put across how the set is not just played it is performed. A story is being told if you like. There is a 'joy' and energy that comes from the stage which transfers to the crowd. You just can't help being drawn in to it. Morton's antics are superbly complimented by David Lloyd (lead and rhythm guitar), Leroy James (guitar and Shoe God), Stefan Dickers (bass), the super talented, classically trained, Gabriele Baldocci (keyboards) and Neil 'Just the one set tonight' Hayman on drums. A glorious set comprising of tracks, Sweeper of Dreams, At Sea, Tuesday's Child, The Jackdaw, Magpie & Me (a section from the 20 plus minute track All These Things) and the magnificent, stripped back version of The Tallest Tree (Why the Sea is Salt, 2106) - which features Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips (Genesis) and Peter Jones (Tiger Moth Tales) on the album - The Willows and Too Many Hands (Land of Shadows, 2014) and a nice 'short' 7 minute version of the 45 minute epic, Awake and Dreaming, from the eponymous 2006 album. The whole thing was an absolute progressive and symphonic humdinger, encompassing everything from gentle acoustic interludes to full-on anthems. Hopefully next time they play at the Den we can get a two-hour extension on the curfew and they can do an encore. Wonderful stuff...

Dean Archer 03/03/2018 (Promoter at The Rock Den Hatfield via Facebook)

Lady Obscure - Review of “The Land of Shadows” (Progradar)

It is true that many artists don’t get the recognition they somewhat deserve. It’s the unwanted bi-product of those artists desire to produce something that pleases them and not something for the unwashed masses. Whether this is fair or not is, unfortunately, a moot point, while ever there are millions of people that will listen to them, and buy their music, there will be a One Direction or something of a similar ilk. Thankfully and, despite the many obstacles put in their way, there are bands and solo artists out there in the ether that compose music of the highest lyrical content and musical integrity that has weight and quality and is neither bland nor vacuous.

To me, progressive rock music has always been produced by artists who have a higher plan than just making money, although that helps!, the music is emotive and often comes from personal experience, to garner the praise and accolades of their contemporaries is just as important as wider fame and success, if that happens it is generally a happy coincidence.

British progressive rock group, The Gift formed in 2003, original a duo with Mike Morton and Leroy James sharing all instrumental duties but, as the music grew, they brought in other musicians to realise its scope and became a fully fledged five piece band. The Gift released their critically acclaimed album ‘Awake and Dreaming’ in 2006 and the world looked to be at their feet, well the world of progressive rock anyway. Unfortunately, Leroy was not committed to touring the album and did not believe that prog rock was the best way to make a living out of music, add in the fact that the other musicians were session musicians whose commitments were elsewhere and The Gift remained an enigma, a one man enigma in stasis. Fast forward to 2010 and a number of life changing events that drew Mike out of the doldrums and convinced him to write again, joining forces with David Lloyd and conceive the new record Land of Shadows, The Gift have produced an album that deals with loneliness, lost love and mortality. Joining Mike (vocals, flute) and David (guitars) to make up The Gift’s current line up are Dave Leak (bass), Samuele Matteucci (keyboards) and Scott Tipler (drums).

To quote Mike himself “We’re still telling tales and mixing up vintage with modern sounds, but this time round things are more ‘imminent’; more ‘live’. We’ve striped back the layers and focused more on the song. But, as card carrying proggers we still couldn’t resist throwing in a 20 minute beast about a near death experience….For those who like their music emotional, complex and occasionally grandiose, it will be right up your street.” Grand words indeed but, does the music live up to those lofty ambitions? Well my friend, let us dive in at the deep end and find out.

I Sing of Change introduces the album with a soft Scottish burr narrating a gripping and emotive tale over a gentle flute, to say it is only a minute long it draws you in and holds your attention rigidly before fading away having set the scene for The Willows which is lead in peacefully like a slow rolling mist, an ethereal piano note shepherding in Mike Morton’s elegant vocal which, accompanied by a delicate acoustic guitar, has a bard like quality, narrating the storyline. The music is utilised just as much as the voice in telling this tale, drums and bugle called up to echo the vocals. There is a pared back quality to the sound as if it has been deliberately left raw rather than over-produced and it works brilliantly giving the vocal an emotional feel that burrows into your psyche. The first part of the song is more like a minstrel’s ode with Mike taking the lead recounting the tale then it’s all change with what can only be described as the ‘Bond theme’ section, it is utterly brilliant as the guitar becomes the main focal point in a ‘Live and Let Die’ style instrumental passage, this is progressive music at its most incisive, stretching the boundaries of what you expect and, it works a treat. There is another shift in tempo as the track becomes more downbeat and solemn, slowing right down until the vocal begins a lengthy run to the end, ratcheting up the anticipation, soulful and poignant and then the final act begins, a guitar solo that almost becomes sentient, heart-wrenching and rousing, rounding off a superb track.

Mike takes another turn as a balladeer as his distinctive vocal opens Road Runs on ‘Til Morning, an introduction with a hint of the theatrical paves the way and then his mournful and meaningful voice immediately grabs you as he begins another involving tale. The song runs at a steady pace, a tick tock percussive beat and laid back guitar laying a smooth foundation for the catchy chorus, the return of that ever so expressive guitar to give us another solo that threatens to take form is an additional delight. You know you are listening to music that has meaning and expresses itself to the full becoming a modern homage to the great bards and minstrels of the past years, the songwriting is out of the top draw and it is a pleasure to listen to every note and word.

A slow contemplative track, Walk Into The Water has the qualities to become an anthem, the lazy smooth keyboard and acoustic guitar that accompany the vocal are dreamlike and sooth your fevered brow, the whole song is cathartic and leaves you at one with yourself, I don’t think I have ever felt at peace to this extent whilst listening to a song. Mikes hypnotic vocal is perfectly matched by the instrumental radiance on show as the song culminates with a moving guitar solo that echoes the peaceful, tranquil mood that this track engenders, pure class.

Intentional or not, Too Many Hands has a distinctive touch of fellow British rock act Divine Comedy about it. Upbeat and fast paced, the clipped and distinctive guitar riff takes you on an idiosyncratic ride, I can’t help myself smile as I listen to the track, although the subject matter is not as jolly as the tempo would have you believe. The Gift are supreme storytellers and, in Mike Morton they have a vocalist who is a modern bard, the off kilter, coruscating guitar solo echoing any hint of discord. An ode for a modern age? These songs are intellectual and thought provoking, none more so than this.

Sublime piano and ardent vocal are the mainstays of the beautiful You Are The Song, a love song of warmth and emotion that is sure to melt some hearts and make some knees go weak. Pared back and simple in construction it is compelling and potent in delivery, the keyboards are ethereal and the guitar speaks to you in hushed tones, not wanting to break the moment of reverie, an exquisite expression of the songwriting art.

Time to sit down in a quiet corner and spare 20 minutes of your life for a complex and utterly involving take on the Lazarus tale, The Comforting Cold explores themes of death and resurrection by updating the biblical story to the present day, it concerns a middle aged commuter who suffers a near fatal heart attack, having a near death experience before being resuscitated by medics, only to yearn for the eternity he has glimpsed. Sounds a bit morbid but it is more hopeful than you would imagine. Strings and keyboards introduce the track, celestial and spiritual, before the flute flows around and brought you. Mike’s vocals begin, backed by a gentle guitar and strings and the song takes on an uplifting feel, more authoritative and efficacious, this song has all the hallmarks of a prog epic, bombastic and overblown (in the best sense of the words), complicated and intricate instrumental sections that contain a keyboard section that has 70’s prog written all over it for every eye to see. A narrative interlude with distorted guitars and chaotic rhythms breaks the pace for a while and then an incredibly cool church organ sound just blows you away. A very calm, ambient interlude holds sway for a moment, dreamlike and gossamer thin, invoking the eternal peace that the commuter glimpsed before it was snatched away from him, the vocal measured and trancelike. The organ and vocal follow in a heavenly fashion as if delivered from a pulpit, the guitar that follows bleeds emotion, it is heartfelt and incredibly poignant before metamorphosing into a hard edge riff that is the complete opposite, harsh, even arrogant in execution. The instrumental story continues with a hectic guitar section that echoes confusion and discord with distorted licks and riffs and frenetic drumming. It is a maelstrom of music that threatens to overpower you as it powers along. The final part of the song is a complete sea change as the vocal gives a more dramatic performance, back by a gently strummed acoustic guitar and tender flute, the ending being harmonious and inspiring, what an emotional journey that was!

After the stirring roller coaster ride just concluded it is fitting that The Gift give you something to bring your blood pressure and heart beat back down to normal, As is a sentimental, touching finale to the album. A placid, genial acoustic guitar is the backbone for our last listen to the wonderful humane vocals of Mike Morton and life is happily back to normal.

Knock me down with a feather, it’s happened again, we are only into March and I find myself running out of superlatives to describe a new release. Land of Shadows contains the raw emotion of a dark period in Mike Morton’s life, that he and David Lloyd have taken those emotions and produced a release of sublime beauty and soul like this, that is uplifting and life confirming, is tantamount to genius. Hopefully it will garner the critical and commercial success it truly deserves.

Mensa Music Website UK (Peter Jolly)

This new five piece band from London are the latest discovery by Cyclops Records, and they have struck gold again with this superb debut album. The Gift have been compared to early Spock's Beard, and you can hear why in places, with the music alternating between gentle acoustic passages and full blown guitar anthems. The album comprises just two tracks.

“Awake And Dreaming” and “Fountains Of Ash”, with each track being made up of separatesections. The 45 minute title track is a condemnation of the war machine, and its epic scope is one of the things that has earned the Spock's Beard comparisons, while musically it comes to the fore on the heavy riffing “Dark Clouds Gathering”, and the stunning “No-One Came”.

However, the band are not just copyists and inject their own personality into their music, and with each member being a top class musician they produce a work that rewards many, many plays. Highlights include “Rooftops Re-visited”, which is a reprise of the opening track “Little Red Rooftops”, and gives Leroy James the chance of a great guitar solo, “The Dance Of Denial” which is an upbeat guitar instrumental, the frenetic “Escalation” which has some of the best guitar work on the album, and the lovely acoustic ballad “Nocturne”, which is Mike Morton's best vocal performance.

Every track has a great melody, confident playing, spot on vocal harmonies, and is sung by a singer with an expressive voice, resulting in a piece of music that is one of the best pieces of modern prog that I have heard.

If the album just consisted of “Awake And Dreaming” I would be happy, but we also get the 20 minute “Fountains Of Ash”, which -like its predecessor - comprises seven sections, of which the opening “Noverture” contains some stunning guitar. All of the other pieces are easily as good as anything that I had heard in the first track - in fact some of them might even be better as generally the band seem to take things at a faster pace, and so some of the instrumental passages contain some outstanding progressive rock in the classic sense, with guitar and keyboards working overtime. This is already hailed as one of the finest progressive rock releases of the year - an opinion with which I have to whole-heartedly agree...

Progressive Waves website Canada (unknown)

When was the last time you were knocked out? I mean by a piece of music. Personally, I often hear good solid stuff, but I can honestly say that The Gift belongs in the ‘rare and precious’ category. The album is composed of 2 song cycles, “Awake and Dreaming” lasting more than 40 minutes, and “Fountain of Ash” around thirty.

“Awake and Dreaming” is spread out over 12 sub-sections. Each section is a short, more or less independent composition connected to the rest by skilful segues... However, the particular power of The Gift is to be found in the diversity of their approach. This group mixes tough progressive rock, folk, symphonic tones, ambient sounds and sometimes hard rock with an ease seldom heard on a debut album.

What is most impressive about this CD, however, is that there is no sense of cloning, either of Genesis or Marillion, even though these bands are clear role models. This is probably due to the programmed samples and other effects which anchor The Gift in our time.

Musically, their work also echoes early Spocks Beard circa The Light, which gives a fairly good idea of its level of quality. As in all accomplished, respected concept pieces, certain themes are used several times (“Little Red Rooftops”) in order to build a coherent whole. The final segment “Awake and Dreaming” is of the utmost beauty.

“Fountains of Ash” is also very successful, particularly at the beginning (the Noverture makes me think of Frost's “Hyperventilate”) The suite also uses the same ingredients mentioned above with a hint of Pink Floyd that doesn't displease!

On first listening, I would have sworn the group was American (due mainly to the quieter piano-based passages and guitar ballads which sound very "transatlantic") but over time it becomes clear that they are English. The singer, very present throughout (perhaps a little too present for some listeners), calls to mind Geoff Mann from Twelfth Night and Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy. His subtle, articulate singing contributes fully to the success of the album, and moreover he is a multi-instrumentalist... Does that remind you of anybody? The history of progressive rock is an eternal renaissance...

Do I exaggerate? I'm not alone. Just search the web for articles on this group and you'll soon realize that the passion for this work is unanimous. The band chose its name well. This album is indeed a gift. A great group is born...

Koid 9 France (Renaud Oualid)

What a fine "gift" this debut album is! Apparently, according to the lyrical publicity material which accompanied it, this disc is a veritable splendour, a summing up of all we have loved about progressive rock from its early days until now. Cyclops, their label, tell us that they were stunned upon first listening. They compare it with the debuts of The Flower Kings, Spocks Beard and Transatlantic. Hang on a minute...that's high, high praise. So, is it true? The beginning of this review will have given you some idea, but let me explain why you must listen to this album. The progressive freak will be in seventh heaven to learn that it is comprised of two epics, of 42 minutes and 27 minutes respectively. Yum, yum!

Now, we all know that length alone doesn't make for good music, so what's inside these extended pieces? The first suite, Awake And Dreaming, is made up of 12 sub-sections and is magnificent from beginning to end. It's like listening to a savoury mixture of Genesis (strangely, the very early period with Anthony Phillips due to the shimmering 12 strings and the pre-pop Phil Collins era for the superb melodies...but refreshingly few echoes of Peter Gabriel); Marillion (current incarnation) and Spocks Beard with Neal Morse. However, the most remarkable thing about it all is that The Gift never sounds like a copy of these previous groups (however brilliant).

The other notable quality of the group is that none of the players competes with the other too much, most notably the singer, who resists the temptation to eclipse the others, despite the fact that the music is quite vocals-based. This is much to his credit, as he is extremely talented - the bugger! - with a voice close in style to Marillion's Steve Hogarth: English, sensitive, suave, moving and beautiful. He also surprises us with more pushed, angry vocals during certain hard passages (few in number, but always well aligned with the terrific guitar/keyboard tours de forces which The Gift excels at). The effect at such times is incredible, believe me! A great singer is born.

The keyboard work is pleasing - well played without resorting to flashy runs, and always melodic. The lead guitar work is of the highest order. Leroy James is an accomplished player who always balances taste with fury, and knows when to use space as well as shred. The second suite, Fountains of Ash, is as impressive as its predecessor, exhibiting the same melodic flair and instrumental prowess. It is clear that the same bunch are playing.

Be assured, you are witnessing the birth of a first class progressive group. I'm sorry I've had to leave them to pen this review, and I'm going back to listen to them again right now...

Classic Rock Magazine UK (Nick Shilton)

This is the best Cyclops release for some time. Awake and Dreaming consists of two cracking epics, with the 12 part title track just shading the shorter Fountains of Ash. The Gift do their share of rocking out but elsewhere exercise admirable restraint, such as on the moving Doubt. At times similar to the solo work of Roger Waters, but more accessible, this is music of considerable power and beauty...