9. Tiger Moth Tales
– The Depths of Winter
First, there was
noting. Then, there was Peter Jones. Seemingly out of nowhere
(rather, out of the finals of X-factor, a show the average prog fan
is unlikely to be familiar with), the blind bard has become one of
the fastest rising stars in the prog world, enjoying bouts in Red
Bazaar, joining Rachel Flowers and Frank Dunnery on stage, gaining
praise for his interpretations of Genesis classics, and even becoming
a member of Camel. His solo project Tiger Moth Tales is
becoming a prog rock mainstay, and it looks like Mr. Jones will soon
be invincible.
Album the third, a
collection of songs about the doom and gloom of the cold season, is
the polar (tee hee) opposite of the previous one, Story Tellers Part
One. Where that album was rather short, whimsical and a bit trivial,
this one is long, ambitious and very sentimental. It's filled with
many lovely long and winding pieces with lots of room to breathe.
Jones takes his time to develop all of his musical ideas to the
fullest. Despite the frosty subject matter, Jones has inherited a warm
sense of longing from the likes of Genesis, Camel and BBT. Hot cocoa
in the snow. The occasional touch of impish humour keeps it all from
toppling over.
The album's main
shortcoming is the lack of a drummer. The programmed drums get the
job done well enough, but I feel a flesh and blood drummer would really push
the music over the edge. I think the supremely talented Peter Jones'
musical journey is far from over and he's got much better material
still in him. I'll be watching closely from now on.
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