Neil Wighton- The Muse -Progressive Voyages Review PV105
The suitablybGothic cover for the album
Neil Wighton- The Muse – Progressive Voyages Review PV105
Neil Wighton is an interesting chapNeil Wighton- The Muse – Progressive Voyages Review PV105
Neil Wighton is an interesting chap, by day he was in Electrical Installation eventually ending up as shift manager at the Electricity National Control Centre, keeping the lights on as it were. Since retirement he is the formidable Guitar player for the currently rising Pagan Folk/Progressive Rock band Spriggan Mist, in between all that he is a family man with wife and children. His journey to this album has been a long and convoluted one, but it has allowed him to express himself musically in a totally new manner.
Neil says of this album, ‘all of the songs are from life experience and are from the heart,’ he hopes these songs move you.
The album is performed mainly by Neil who provides, guitar, bass and keyboards as well as most of the vocals. Although he is able assisted on several tracks by Dikajee (Olga Karpova) and also Peter Jones (Tiger Moth tales) who provides a synthesiser solo to one of the tracks (Cry An Ocean). He is also joined by Scott Hunter (Skylines/Jethro Tull) and Jon Axon (Genius The Fool) who adds guitar solos and harmony guitar to the track Cry An Ocean.
So enough of this pre-amble let’s dive in and see what the album is like shall we?
The album commences with a long track, Wings Of Gold, which has a strong opening riff with lush keyboards and a solo synthesiser melody to open proceedings nicely after 90 seconds Dikajee’s vocal begins. This is a very brooding song with restrained power, it has an understated majesty to it and it sounds really strong with excellent sound separation between the instruments. It certainly makes a very positive impression as you listen, just shy of the 6 minute mark there is an excellent piano motif which then moves into a heavier guitar led section in which Neil get to let loose a little again to great effect. You can sense his acknowledgment of the greats who inspired him in his youth, Jan Akkerman, Rory Gallagher, Steve Vai amongst others, it is an epic song in both sound and style. Neil says the album is called The Muse as when he is writing he feels the music comes from outside of him and its theme is about being true to yourself. In your creative endeavours as you realise that time may run out if you don’t act on your inspirations which is a pretty valid comment! We should all seize the day whilst we can. I really do like this track, it is both a great statement of intent and also works as a clarion call to creativity for us all to embrace.
Next track is Precious Life which is a reflection that one day death will come calling and this is a song about both the brevity of life and the desire to leave something of value in the legacy you leave behind when you die. The song opens with a strong bass line and sympathetic percussion and keyboards, the chorus is especially strong fine and memorable. This is an excellent and intelligently written song which poses interesting and challenging questions of each of us, offering us the choice to live a life that makes a difference to those around us. At the 2,40 mark Neil delivers a poignantly graceful guitar break, which then moves into a keyboard section a rhythmic guitar and a piano motif before a second fiery and longer guitar solo that leads back to that glorious chorus which is doubled with backing vocals. Another really wonderful song.
Next, we have another epic in Cry An Ocean. This is a song written for a relative who lost a child at a very young age. This is about allowing them time for their grief to play out as they come terms with their tragic loss. This is obviously a very personal song for Neil, who it has to be said handles this song most sympathetically. It certainly is emotionally laden but never descents into cloying sentimentality, instead there are enough lively guitar lines to lift the song from such sentiments. The synth solo from Peter Jones adds a touch of, dare I suggest, joy and hope another highly impressive performance here from everyone.
Next track is the album’s longest, Among The Living Dead, at almost ten and a half minutes duration, this song is about how Neil fell into a career rather than following his musical dream. Merely settling for a life that didn’t satisfy him, leaving him disillusioned and angry. You get a real sense of how Neil felt in all this, with the fog only clearing and satisfaction returning once he started to once again follow and realise his musical path once more. Fully enrolling in Guilford ACM’S Modern Rock Guitar course which in turn led to his subsequent joining Spriggan Mist. This is a journey song, it has some great sounds and synth sections and a driving rhythm section playing away, it’s a very personal and autobiographical song, Neil really shows his vulnerability in the words and this acts as a challenge to each of us to ‘Never Put Your Dreams Above You, We should believe That They Can Be Realised.’ This is a very inspiring song.
This is followed by another longer song in Lonely Waters. This is a wistful song in which Neil addresses his fears of how feelings can become muted and dull the spark in a relationship. Here he hopes to find a way in order that this doesn’t happen to this relationship. Again this is a very personal song, one that has a strong sense of purpose and determination that these things will not happen in this relationship. This is sung in tandem with Dikajee who adds a wonderfully evocative female vocal to proceedings.
The Chorus is absolutely gorgeous in its beauty, it is a very emotional and heartfelt song, the voices blend together in unison and make a deep and lasting impression as you listen. This is a graceful, delicate and beautiful song the synthesiser at the end is glorious and triumphant even as is the closing piano motif the final guitar solo is very fine as well closing out another excellent song.
There Will Come A Time follows. This song addresses caring for an older relative and the challenges that presents. It is a very honest song one that will possibly affect many of us as we approach later life. I like this track as it is so openly honest and the guitar lines are so excellent.
The last track of the album is The Secret which again opens strongly with keyboards and a surging rhythm section that drives the track along. The song is about realising and striving to reach your objectives and dreams, even if this entails moving on from your current safe situation into a more uncertain one, one in which you are commanding your own destiny and future. The song opens with synths and then a drumbeat whilst the opening verse is sung after this it gathers pace and depth building steadily in its intensity in a most engaging style. The guitars sound excellent and exciting in this track and the synthesisers make a welcome return before moving into a more mellow and moody section that again is very effective in tone and manner. This is a really strong finale to this most enjoyable album of songs and performances there is no guitar solo, this track sadly concludes the album. However it is still an excellent track.
I must say this album has really surprised me with its thoughtful, personal and honest songs all performed well with style and panache, well done Neil Wighton. This is definitely an album I will return to frequently, it is a highly enjoyable album of not inconsiderate skill and talent.
Info here https://neilwighton.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith 11th January 2026. by Neil Wighton- The Muse – Progressive Voyages Review PV105
Neil Wighton is an interesting chap, by day he was in Electrical Installation eventually ending up as shift manager at the Electricity National Control Centre, keeping the lights on as it were. Since retirement he is the formidable Guitar player for the currently rising Pagan Folk/Progressive Rock band Spriggan Mist, in between all that he is a family man with wife and children. His journey to this album has been a long and convoluted one, but it has allowed him to express himself musically in a totally new manner.
Neil says of this album, ‘all of the songs are from life experience and are from the heart,’ he hopes these songs move you.
The album is performed mainly by Neil who provides, guitar, bass and keyboards as well as most of the vocals. Although he is able assisted on several tracks by Dikajee (Olga Karpova) and also Peter Jones (Tiger Moth tales) who provides a synthesiser solo to one of the tracks (Cry An Ocean). He is also joined by Scott Hunter (Skylines/Jethro Tull) and Jon Axon (Genius The Fool) who adds guitar solos and harmony guitar to the track Cry An Ocean.
So enough of this pre-amble let’s dive in and see what the album is like shall we?
The album commences with a long track, Wings Of Gold, which has a strong opening riff with lush keyboards and a solo synthesiser melody to open proceedings nicely after 90 seconds Dikajee’s vocal begins. This is a very brooding song with restrained power, it has an understated majesty to it and it sounds really strong with excellent sound separation between the instruments. It certainly makes a very positive impression as you listen, just shy of the 6 minute mark there is an excellent piano motif which then moves into a heavier guitar led section in which Neil get to let loose a little again to great effect. You can sense his acknowledgment of the greats who inspired him in his youth, Jan Akkerman, Rory Gallagher, Steve Vai amongst others, it is an epic song in both sound and style. Neil says the album is called The Muse as when he is writing he feels the music comes from outside of him and its theme is about being true to yourself. In your creative endeavours as you realise that time may run out if you don’t act on your inspirations which is a pretty valid comment! We should all seize the day whilst we can. I really do like this track, it is both a great statement of intent and also works as a clarion call to creativity for us all to embrace.
Next track is Precious Life which is a reflection that one day death will come calling and this is a song about both the brevity of life and the desire to leave something of value in the legacy you leave behind when you die. The song opens with a strong bass line and sympathetic percussion and keyboards, the chorus is especially strong fine and memorable. This is an excellent and intelligently written song which poses interesting and challenging questions of each of us, offering us the choice to live a life that makes a difference to those around us. At the 2,40 mark Neil delivers a poignantly graceful guitar break, which then moves into a keyboard section a rhythmic guitar and a piano motif before a second fiery and longer guitar solo that leads back to that glorious chorus which is doubled with backing vocals. Another really wonderful song.
Next, we have another epic in Cry An Ocean. This is a song written for a relative who lost a child at a very young age. This is about allowing them time for their grief to play out as they come terms with their tragic loss. This is obviously a very personal song for Neil, who it has to be said handles this song most sympathetically. It certainly is emotionally laden but never descents into cloying sentimentality, instead there are enough lively guitar lines to lift the song from such sentiments. The synth solo from Peter Jones adds a touch of, dare I suggest, joy and hope another highly impressive performance here from everyone.
Next track is the album’s longest, Among The Living Dead, at almost ten and a half minutes duration, this song is about how Neil fell into a career rather than following his musical dream. Merely settling for a life that didn’t satisfy him, leaving him disillusioned and angry. You get a real sense of how Neil felt in all this, with the fog only clearing and satisfaction returning once he started to once again follow and realise his musical path once more. Fully enrolling in Guilford ACM’S Modern Rock Guitar course which in turn led to his subsequent joining Spriggan Mist. This is a journey song, it has some great sounds and synth sections and a driving rhythm section playing away, it’s a very personal and autobiographical song, Neil really shows his vulnerability in the words and this acts as a challenge to each of us to ‘Never Put Your Dreams Above You, We should believe That They Can Be Realised.’ This is a very inspiring song.
This is followed by another longer song in Lonely Waters. This is a wistful song in which Neil addresses his fears of how feelings can become muted and dull the spark in a relationship. Here he hopes to find a way in order that this doesn’t happen to this relationship. Again this is a very personal song, one that has a strong sense of purpose and determination that these things will not happen in this relationship. This is sung in tandem with Dikajee who adds a wonderfully evocative female vocal to proceedings.
The Chorus is absolutely gorgeous in its beauty, it is a very emotional and heartfelt song, the voices blend together in unison and make a deep and lasting impression as you listen. This is a graceful, delicate and beautiful song the synthesiser at the end is glorious and triumphant even as is the closing piano motif the final guitar solo is very fine as well closing out another excellent song.
There Will Come A Time follows. This song addresses caring for an older relative and the challenges that presents. It is a very honest song one that will possibly affect many of us as we approach later life. I like this track as it is so openly honest and the guitar lines are so excellent.
The last track of the album is The Secret which again opens strongly with keyboards and a surging rhythm section that drives the track along. The song is about realising and striving to reach your objectives and dreams, even if this entails moving on from your current safe situation into a more uncertain one, one in which you are commanding your own destiny and future. The song opens with synths and then a drumbeat whilst the opening verse is sung after this it gathers pace and depth building steadily in its intensity in a most engaging style. The guitars sound excellent and exciting in this track and the synthesisers make a welcome return before moving into a more mellow and moody section that again is very effective in tone and manner. This is a really strong finale to this most enjoyable album of songs and performances there is no guitar solo, this track sadly concludes the album. However it is still an excellent track.
I must say this album has really surprised me with its thoughtful, personal and honest songs all performed well with style and panache, well done Neil Wighton. This is definitely an album I will return to frequently, it is a highly enjoyable album of not inconsiderate skill and talent.
Info here https://neilwighton.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith 11th January 2026. he was in Electrical Installation eventually ending up as shift manager at the Electricity National Control Centre, keeping the lights on as it were. Since retirement he is the formidable Guitar player for the currently rising Pagan Folk/Progressive Rock band Spriggan Mist, in between all that he is a family man with wife and children. His journey to this album has been a long and convoluted one, but it has allowed him to express himself musically in a totally new manner.
Neil says of this album, ‘all of the songs are from life experience and are from the heart,’ he hopes these songs move you.
The album is performed mainly by Neil who provides, guitar, bass and keyboards as well as most of the vocals. Although he is able assisted on several tracks by Dikajee (Olga Karpova) and also Peter Jones (Tiger Moth tales) who provides a synthesiser solo to one of the tracks (Cry An Ocean). He is also joined by Scott Hunter (Skylines/Jethro Tull) and Jon Axon (Genius The Fool) who adds guitar solos and harmony guitar to the track Cry An Ocean.
So enough of this pre-amble let’s dive in and see what the album is like shall we?
The album commences with a long track, Wings Of Gold, which has a strong opening riff with lush keyboards and a solo synthesiser melody to open proceedings nicely after 90 seconds Dikajee’s vocal begins. This is a very brooding song with restrained power, it has an understated majesty to it and it sounds really strong with excellent sound separation between the instruments. It certainly makes a very positive impression as you listen, just shy of the 6 minute mark there is an excellent piano motif which then moves into a heavier guitar led section in which Neil get to let loose a little again to great effect. You can sense his acknowledgment of the greats who inspired him in his youth, Jan Akkerman, Rory Gallagher, Steve Vai amongst others, it is an epic song in both sound and style. Neil says the album is called The Muse as when he is writing he feels the music comes from outside of him and its theme is about being true to yourself. In your creative endeavours as you realise that time may run out if you don’t act on your inspirations which is a pretty valid comment! We should all seize the day whilst we can. I really do like this track, it is both a great statement of intent and also works as a clarion call to creativity for us all to embrace.
Next track is Precious Life which is a reflection that one day death will come calling and this is a song about both the brevity of life and the desire to leave something of value in the legacy you leave behind when you die. The song opens with a strong bass line and sympathetic percussion and keyboards, the chorus is especially strong fine and memorable. This is an excellent and intelligently written song which poses interesting and challenging questions of each of us, offering us the choice to live a life that makes a difference to those around us. At the 2,40 mark Neil delivers a poignantly graceful guitar break, which then moves into a keyboard section a rhythmic guitar and a piano motif before a second fiery and longer guitar solo that leads back to that glorious chorus which is doubled with backing vocals. Another really wonderful song.
Next, we have another epic in Cry An Ocean. This is a song written for a relative who lost a child at a very young age. This is about allowing them time for their grief to play out as they come terms with their tragic loss. This is obviously a very personal song for Neil, who it has to be said handles this song most sympathetically. It certainly is emotionally laden but never descents into cloying sentimentality, instead there are enough lively guitar lines to lift the song from such sentiments. The synth solo from Peter Jones adds a touch of, dare I suggest, joy and hope another highly impressive performance here from everyone.
Next track is the album’s longest, Among The Living Dead, at almost ten and a half minutes duration, this song is about how Neil fell into a career rather than following his musical dream. Merely settling for a life that didn’t satisfy him, leaving him disillusioned and angry. You get a real sense of how Neil felt in all this, with the fog only clearing and satisfaction returning once he started to once again follow and realise his musical path once more. Fully enrolling in Guilford ACM’S Modern Rock Guitar course which in turn led to his subsequent joining Spriggan Mist. This is a journey song, it has some great sounds and synth sections and a driving rhythm section playing away, it’s a very personal and autobiographical song, Neil really shows his vulnerability in the words and this acts as a challenge to each of us to ‘Never Put Your Dreams Above You, We should believe That They Can Be Realised.’ This is a very inspiring song.
This is followed by another longer song in Lonely Waters. This is a wistful song in which Neil addresses his fears of how feelings can become muted and dull the spark in a relationship. Here he hopes to find a way in order that this doesn’t happen to this relationship. Again this is a very personal song, one that has a strong sense of purpose and determination that these things will not happen in this relationship. This is sung in tandem with Dikajee who adds a wonderfully evocative female vocal to proceedings.
The Chorus is absolutely gorgeous in its beauty, it is a very emotional and heartfelt song, the voices blend together in unison and make a deep and lasting impression as you listen. This is a graceful, delicate and beautiful song the synthesiser at the end is glorious and triumphant even as is the closing piano motif the final guitar solo is very fine as well closing out another excellent song.
There Will Come A Time follows. This song addresses caring for an older relative and the challenges that presents. It is a very honest song one that will possibly affect many of us as we approach later life. I like this track as it is so openly honest and the guitar lines are so excellent.
The last track of the album is The Secret which again opens strongly with keyboards and a surging rhythm section that drives the track along. The song is about realising and striving to reach your objectives and dreams, even if this entails moving on from your current safe situation into a more uncertain one, one in which you are commanding your own destiny and future. The song opens with synths and then a drumbeat whilst the opening verse is sung after this it gathers pace and depth building steadily in its intensity in a most engaging style. The guitars sound excellent and exciting in this track and the synthesisers make a welcome return before moving into a more mellow and moody section that again is very effective in tone and manner. This is a really strong finale to this most enjoyable album of songs and performances there is no guitar solo, this track sadly concludes the album. However it is still an excellent track.
I must say this album has really surprised me with its thoughtful, personal and honest songs all performed well with style and panache, well done Neil Wighton. This is definitely an album I will return to frequently, it is a highly enjoyable album of not inconsiderate skill and talent. Give it a spin I feel you may like it
Info here https://neilwighton.bandcamp.com.
Author John Wenlock-Smith 11th January 2026.