The Bardic Depths- Some Things Are Worth Remembering - Progressive Voyages Review

Sadly this is destined the be the final album from The Big Big Train Passengers Collective The Bardic Depths who are bowing out after 4 albums together.

The Bardic Depths came together when Dave Bandanna sought assistance from fellow Big Big Train Passengers (fans) on some songs he was working on. Dave who was born in London but relocated to Lanzrorote several years ago where he splits his time betweenn entertaing Holiday makers and caring for the many feral cats found in the Canary Islands. That Facebook request drew a like minded collection of folks including Brad Bitzer who is trade in Bloomington Indianaholds the Amos Kirk chair in American studes at Hillside College. He is a professional Historian, He is also a main lyricist for The Bardic Depths, he has helped develop themes for the albums.As a keen and avid reader his help has been invaluable, whilst not actually a member his contributions have been very much at the heart of the concepts and themes the albums have developed.

The album has 8 tracks and last about 52 minutes in all, The bandcremains as Dave Bandanna Keyboards, guitar and vocals, Peter Jones - Vocals and saxophone and Keyboards on Islands, Gareth Cole guitar and occasional Bass, Tim Gerht (Streets) drums and percussion.

The Album kick off with the fine song Islands, which is reflection by Brad Birzer on his favourite Big Big Train track The Underfall Yard, the song is extremely well written and is based on thoughts that Brad outlined in his epic essay about the Big Big Train classic song from The Underfall Yard.

Here a link to his article : How songs take shape A while back Bradley... - The Bardic Depths https://share.google/YcH2E88qrkTCTQ5cO it's a worthwhile read to enjoy as you appreciate the song on this album.

The song itself paints a warm and affectionate picture using great imagedy and with a very jazzy zz fusion type saxaphone interjections and some great ghitar playing as well a really strong opening statement of intent.

Fallen Leaves is completely different as it is really quite simple hinged on a free flowing guitar line and lot of stacked vocals from both Peter and Dave, and some gentle acoustic guitar parts, it is I believe a homage to Crosby Stills and Nash, it sound glorious as do Gareth cole's very Allman Brothers type guitar lines.

Arribabok is a song which is about the evolution of language, Once again we hear Peter Jones marvellous saxaphone works and also an eastern tongued guitar line from Gareth which sound really great as he builds in its intensity to reach a pinnaclebefore submitting to Peter's saxaphone once again.

October Sun see Brad Birzer working from another essay, This one is about his favourite time of year in his part of the world (