Brendan Perkins - Trading River Songs - Progressive Voyages Review
Brendan Perkins is aname you may know slightly, Well he is a Lincolnshire based composer writer and ultimately Instrumental performer who writes song about thing around him in nature in his home county and the like, I reviewedcand was much taken with his album Favourite Places which was my introduction to his most marvellous music.
Brendan wears his progressive influences very openly, I would say if you like Pastoral prog innthevve8n of Big Big Trainbthen you will probably appreciate what Brendan creates, as it is in a similar vein, This new album Trading River Songsvcome just under a year after his last album Stories From The Old Church Lane which I reviewd for this site last year,
With Brendans songs 8 feel it is imperative to have the lyr8csvto hand so you can fully graspmwhat he is talking about
The album consists of six tracks all around ìn the 7 to 10 minutes length mark
Lets dive rightn in andv explore this for ourselves shall we?
The first track is Rest At The Shoreline, this opens withba f8ne guitar linecand Brendans Trusty Rickenbacker bass line, Programmed drums provide a steady rhythm to anchor the song, There are piano and synths in the sound as well, the song is much aided by a dramatic guitar solo the lyrics convey the meaning of the track to be caring life to a river with memories being taken out to sea.
There is a further guitar solo towards the end of the song very much in the style of Steve Rothery or David Gilmour.most impressive.
Banks Of The Fleet is next, This remembers the River Flletthat was buried under the streets of London (Fleet Street) etc, The track begins with acoustic guitar and a strong Bass guitar line, there are some great guitar fills like Camel or Steve Hackett very tastefully played, there is also an organ backing in the mix.
The guitar solo when it appears is very melodic and most definitely in the style of Steve Hackett, all verybgood melodies andxall to further the great song.
A really fine track indeed.
This is then followed by the albums Title track Trading River Songs which starts with piano and a sweet electric guitar line,which is then doubled and some harmony guitar oarts are added, The song describes a family facing hardships after a betrayal, but reminding their clan status. It's an achingly lovely song which hides its sorrow except if you study the words that is when you vanbfeel its sadness.
Binbrook Skyline is about memories of at Lincolnshire childhood, The big open Skies and gentle activities enjoyed there, The music seems to both echo and remind you of those carefree days of youth.i like how brendan has used synthesiser setting to get the reeds and ccello sounds in this track, it is a very kaid back track in every way,
The next track is Angels in A Vacuum, This song is about rising up against the Idiot in power, I guess we all know who the idiot might be, here's a clue he old and orange and a disgrace to his country in every way, the song is gentle i like the military drumbeat and woodwind effects in the track, The bass joins in at the 3:15 mark and its suitably energetic and upfront. It works well here.
The albums final track is the song Goddess Earth, which is a song the reminds us of the beauty of this earth that we 8nhabit and tells us that Time has no riadmap or resolutions. A very fine conclusion to what has been a most interesting and satisfying collection of songs,.
Brendan has made an album of which he can rightly be proud, I strongly urge you to check it out for yourself especially for fabs of BBT and the like.
Info https://brendanperkins.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Saturday 13th June 2026.