Kindred Spirit Band- Progressive Voyages Review PV015
Kindred Spirit Band – The Journey Within - Progressive Voyages Review PV015
The Journey Within is the latest album from Elaine Samuel’s Kindred Spirit Band.
Kindred Spirit Band are one of a new breed of folk musicians who have also embraced Progressive Rock music elements and stylings along the way, they are welding these influences together in a very harmonious and symbiotic way that really does bring benefits to both genres, so it is hardly surprising to discover that Elaine has enlisted members of Spriggan Mist and Gryphon for this latest album and has even used their band names as characters in her journey and story.
The album has an interesting back story in that it was written to assist a close friend who was suffering from some severe Mental Health Issues hence why this album looks at these issues in a very sensitive manner, Very respectfully in acknowledging that this scenario can affect any of us today in our high pressure world.
The album consists of a total of 17 songs spread across 2 cds. The packaging and booklet are all excellent and of top quality as indeed are all the songs and the accompanying music, the various guest performers all play their contributions wonderfully with conviction and skill elevating the album to being something that is a bit special. In all honesty there is not a weak track on the entire album and reading the booklet too you can grasp that this has been a labour of love for Elaine and the whole Kindred Spirit family. And that shows through clearly on this remarkably assured album of great songs and unique performances. Lets have a listen and tell you a bit about each track, here we go...
This rather unique and wonderfully rich album may be enjoyed on perhaps 2 sessions one for each cd and armed with the lyric book, although all vocals are perfectly clear it is the element of sheer joy that is very captivating on these discs.
The album commences with House Of Mirrors in which we meet the issue that is being faced, although it is not named as such, but the lyrics suggest a difficult situation that may have resulted in a mental health problem, as House Of Mirrors is a cry to escape, this song has a really great sound, This has an excellent stop/start rif and great lyrics that suggest a split or dissociative personality.
Next track The Shadows is another interesting song with a strong drumbeat, flutes and acoustic guitar and bass in tandem the track takes a harder edge with some great fluid guitar lines and ensemble playiing. This is intricate delicate playing leading to a fine guitar solo from Piers Hogg whose playing is tasteful and intriguing, I love the flute interactions in this track, it ends on a flute motif. A beautiful song and a good track.
Somewhere is next and this is another excellent track with a jaunty rhythm and melody, a fine vocal, great lyrics a brilliant memorable chorus, what an excellent song.
Vocal Info The Woods follows, opening with a flute solo from Stevie Mitchell underpinned with the bass line of Keith Buckman. This is a longer song that has several sections, the bass is very prominent in this track and that works well for the song. I like how the keyboards of Chris Mcmahon of Haze’s work in this song, adding great dynamics to the song, another excellent song. A very good track indeed, As you listen this album reveals its treasures slowly. A good guitar solo backed with keyboards brings the song to its close with a strident trumpet part.
Next we have Lost which features members of Spriggan Mist and they totally own this track, as it is very upbeat and energetically delivered. I really like this track it has a jig or reel like feel especially when the tempos increases, must have been fun to make this very upbeat track. Fay Brotherhood’s tremolo vocals work well in the latter part of the song, I do like this track a lot as it is very different and incredibly well done by all parties. After a while Treebeard (Chris Mcmahon of Haze ‘s character) appears helping a return from being lost. A shorter track called The Track follows which is about gaining energy and growing ìn̈ confidence, although they aren’t fully restored yet and more challenges lie ahead there is a sense of getting there, even if that destination is still unclear.
Rise Again is next and this has an almost blues type swagger, it has a great swampÿ feel to it and a great guitar line flowing throughout the track, a great Saxaphone solo from Stevie foĺlows brief guitar motif from Piers, and it all sound really effective and well thought out. I like that everyone gets a chance to shine on this album. A great guitar solo from Piers follows the sax , very tastefully played as the song ends with a real sense of determination to persevere, it is an uplifting positive song.
This album really is an interesting journey and premise as we meet some helpful characters on our quest, as it were, as the booklets says the dream like escape part of the album takes the form of an Alice In Wonderland come Wizard Of Oz trip introducing some great characters like Treebeard, The Sprigan, the Gryphon and the Stuckfish the last two we will meet on the second disc of the great album, Let’s go....
Disc two kicks off with The Crossroads which has a very 60’s vibe to it, this is a driving song with a great sound, it’s a shorter track and very enjoyable indeed, we then move onto a longer song.
The Mountain where we will encounter many challenges as we climb, this track is very atmospheric and evokes a sense of wonder as the challenge is tackled head on, some good distorted guitar lies in the background adding to the atmosphere of this track, as does the great middle section of sound very effectively done, I like how it switches from menacing to calmer moods, and also the excellent ending of the track.
Next we have The Pass which is where we encounter The Gryphon who represents the task that has to be undertaken as part of the journey, this track features Brian Gulliard of Gryphon who provides both the character of the Gryphon and also Bassoon and Recorders along with Trumpet from Toby Gehring and Trombone from Ross MçCrae
This has a great sound and the brass and bassoon interaction is excellent.
Feel My Way follows and is a violin led track of inner contemplation, as the track is taken onwards and upwards to the next way point of the Lake where we will find some answers to questions both spoken and unspoken, there are some great sections in this track and very sympathetic musical accompaniments.
We then reach The Lake where we will encounter the mythical Stuckfish based on the group of the same name whose Philip Stuckey and Adrian Fisher provide vocals and guitar respectively, this song has a recurring guitar motif and Philip’s vocals are a perfect fit for this track. À near perfect marriage of kindred Spirits folkiness and Stuckfish’s progressive rock music, the song is about realising that you are valuable and should be kind to yourself , about self healing and compassion and how that realisation is transforming you.
It a worthy message, one that we can all learn from surely,
The Way Home follows and i can hear a touch of Solstice in this song, especially in the Rise Up Refrain, as also its sheer positivity, this is the albums longest track and it’s sections are very different and also very satisfying to hear.
This positivity is continued in New Day which has some great slide guitar in its grooves, it also has a funky groove, most impressive sounding, as the beauties and opportunities of A New Day are realised and accepted for the gift that they are, again this track really impresses as there is a revival of Spirit to face the next steps with confidence and boldness, its a great inspirational song.
We then move onto The Machine, which is about technology and warns us not to become part of the Machine that isolates us from each other. So the machines vision of the future is not one that sets us free, rather it enslaved us to technology and isolation which is a very sobering reality for today’s world, Has technology made our lives better in reality, I think if we look at it properly we’ve all bought the lie haven’t we?
The album concludes with All About The Money, which we all know is what most people crave in life, more money to buy more things, better houses cars and things when in reality we crave happiness and contentment. The message here is that money doesn’t really make you happy, when you grasp that contentment and happiness is reliant on your relationships with those you love.
This is a very hard hitting song with great instrumentation and parts, with some great sentiments and suggestions for us to live.
In conclusion I would suggest that this is both a very timely and insightful album for us all as we seek to navigate our way in this world today.
Very good music and great lyrics very highly recommended from here.
Info here: www.kindredspiritband.co.uk
Author John Wenlock-Smith