TALES FROM SHEEPFATHER'S GROVE

Johannes Luley is an American multi-instrumentalist best known for his guitar work. He was a key part of MOTH VELLUM and PERFECT BEINGS and he also has a solo career. Who knew? "Tales From Sheepfather's Grove" is his first solo work released in 2013. The cover art certainly suits the stories and mood of this album. Very pastoral, folky, symphonic and Oldfield did come to mind a couple of times.

Luley does it all here except for several guest vocalists mostly providing harmonies and a harpist. Yes harp. There's a couple of tracks that I really do not like especially "The Fleeting World" but mostly this is pleasant and enjoyable. Luley has a higher pitched voice usually singing softly. One thing I loved about this record is that despite being so light there's this dark section of atmosphere on "Atheos Spiritualis" the longest piece at 10 minutes. For the final several minutes nothing but atmosphere pretty much and some whispers.

I like the start of "We Are One" with the wind blowing then the banjo comes in hot, okay not really but it's banjo! We get piano and organ on this album as well but acoustic guitar leads the way for the most part. There's a couple of songs with sections where the percussion gives us a sense of travelling. A nice recording that would appeal I think more to followers of folk as well as to those Oldfield fans out there.