Brons - The Fellowship- Progressive Voyages Review
The spectacular Cover for The Fellowship album from Dave Brons.
The Fellowship is the new Celtic / Lord Of The Rings (Tolkein) inspired album from Bradford based guitarist and musician Dave Brons, this is his fifth album of this style of music, this comes after 2022's release Return To Arda, 2020's Not All Who Wander Are Lost which itself was the follow up to his debut 2015's Based On A True Story album, Dave has also released a live album of a concert he performed in 2024 called Live In The Shire.
This latest album sees Dave delving deeper into the stories from Middle Earth He says of the album, If I were to pick a theme for the album it would be that of hope against impossible odds and perseverance, Continuing to take steps forward when the going is really hard.
Dave strives to deliver all this music over the 78 minutes running time of the CD,
What really shows here is the deep affection and respect Dave has for the collected works of JRR Tolkein and his tales of Middle Earth, This admiration shows up in the crafting that has taken place in the creation of the music, The album cover and the incredibly informative background information that the booklet contains, As each track has a detailed listener note that serves to unlock the themes of the album, incredibly useful for fora reviewer such as me!
The album is not always an easy listen so this background information and notes certainly help a listener as they navigate the album. Thus enabling the listener to gain maximum enjoyment and appreciation from the fine music contained within the album.
Dave is not alone as he has once again gathered a raft of incredibly talented like minded folk to make his vision a reality, these include Daniel Day Whistles, Flute and Bass of Whistlescapes, Sally Minnear on Vocals of Celestial Fire, Dave Bainbridge of Celestial Fire and Iona on Hard Piano, Synths and Orchestrations, Troy Donnockley (Uillean Pipes) of Nightwish, Matt Steady,Violin John Biglands on Drums, Ian Brons Cello, Catherine Ashcroft - Uillean Pipes. In addition there is a full brass section and a choir appearing
Quite a cast I think you will agree! These folks have helped Dave immensely in the endeavour with the resulting album being even better than what has gone before, Somehow this album sounds more of a calaboration than the previous releases which in itself is remarkable, this one sounds more complete somehow.
The album begins with Shadow Of The Past which has a very beautiful opening piano motif as it starts, before a mournful guitar line is added by Dave, then drums commence laying down a heavy beat as Dave plays wildly in the background, and against the vocals the track then branches out into a reel on Uillean Pipes before Dave’s guitar crashes back in with force, as he shreds on his guitar, This opening track sets the tone for what follows, This album is powerful, Heavy in parts as well but never less than interesting, The power is there when needed as are the lighter touches and elements that colour the whole album.
Nameless Fear follows and this has a dense brooding quality to its opening section possibly to reference the darkness that lies beyond the Shire, that the elves are unaware of.This track has a harder edge to it that is tempered with the graceful vocals of Sally Minnear,
Over The River follows starting with a gentle piano and thereafter Sally's beautifully performed Vocals, the song has a very strong bass line from Daniel Day and a solid backbeat from drummer John Biglands, I really like this song i feel it is very graceful with a real lightness of touch despite its serious subject matter, It also has a great guitar part from Dave Brons whose playing on the entire album is truly sublime and excellent throughout.Caroline Ashcroft's Uillean Pipes make an appearance here as well, always good to hear those as well.
Aragon follows this time it is Troy Donnockley's Pipes that feature, Their mournful cry that leads to a delicate Guitar line from Dave, this shifts to a harder tone thereafter, Before a wild guitar line enters the song, A fantastic one takevguitar solo was chosen to remain as it captured the spirit of the song possibly more fittingly rather than recording a perfect take on it.
The Road Goes On Forever is next and this was deliberately kept to an almost campfire type song recorded together in close proximity helps convey the meaning to the song most effectively,
Just one more step is next and again there is a strong bass line leading the song, This fine song has a lovely vocal from Sally and Daniel, It also has a great brief solo from Dave.
Flight To The Ford is next and this uses a sprightly guitar line to emulate and evoke the feeling of fast movement, The listener notes are crucial in understanding the narrative of the album at this point.
The Piano motif at the end of this tracks conveys so much emotion it is truly beautiful.
I Will Go is another interesting and revealing track as it shows the stage at which Frodo steps up to solve an issue with the Ring by offering to take it to the heart of the blackland even though he doesn't know the way to go. A Reel of the Pipes leads to a very impressive solo from Dave, using a wah wah pedal to great effect!
The Title track of the album The Fellowship is up next, opening with deep bass and ringing guitar, Again the listener notes are invaluable to determine and understand the narrative clearly,
The Voice Of Saruman follows this has Dave playing the melody on his fretless Doro guitar which is to portray the seductive and slippery lying voice of Saruman.
The Mines Of Moria follows,For me this is a highlight of the album as it winds it way through a darker section of the narrative with the death of Gandalf and it has a very heavy intense sound to it all, layers off sounds and some staggeringly epic torturered guitar lines.
The Mirror Of Gladriel is next this has a complex opening section from Dave Bainbridge and a suitably breathy vocal from Sally, it forms an important part of the albums complex narrative.
The River Anduin is next as we are heading towards the end of our tale, this instrumental is a very good one with alternating tempos and time signatures abound to great effect here a great deal of guitar and and a fine solo portray the sense of movement very well indeed.
Penultimate track is Whatever It Takes - Boromir this is where Boromir is temporarily dazzled by the power of the ring and acts poorly and unwisely this is another important critical part of the albums story.
Final track is where Boromir dies defending two helpless halflings, he is placed inside a boat surrounded by the swords of his enemies and dispatched over the falls, What is so good here is the interplay between Daniel Days Whistles and Troy's Uillean Pipes in this beautifully evocative conclusion to this masterful album. Truly Beautiful playing and a fine conclusion to a highly impressive sounding album, Quite where Dave will take this saga next remains to be seen, I know I'll be there for it whatever form that it may take.
What an album, What talent! One you definitely need to hear for yourself, The album that all these widdlybvwiddly guitarists would love to be able to make!
Totally Brilliant Can't recommend this enough. Don't hesitate buy it now!
Info here:www.davebrons.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Wednesday 6th may 2026.