THE ESSENTIAL

When writing about and reviewing Kingston Wall one always has to bear in mind the reason the band existed, the history about the lead singer/guitarist (Petri Walli), his vision for the music and songs of the band and how they merged into one another.

While not necessarily a themed or concept album based band, in essence, their third album 'Tri-Logy' did evolve into a concept album. One could go as far to say that there was a lot of deliberation put into the track order and feel on all 3 of their first albums.

Petri Walli had become more centered around mysticism and Scandinavian folk law, as well as far-eastern, and Hindu influences. When visiting India he had become friends with Ior Bock, a Finnish actor, mythologist and eccentric. It was this relationship that had some affect on the third album Tri-Logy and the concept related to it. The details of this relationship actually makes for a very good read and does for sure give some insight into some thoughts, perhaps, of Petri Walli.

It is a right of passage for some of the great musicians to either stay with us in this life or move to the next before their natural time. It is as though they know some secret or have witnessed the beginning of the universe, and wish to hurry and process the finalities of this life's formalities.

Petri Walli was one of those greats, and of course, like millions of undiscovered musicians, not well known in most popular musical spheres. Nevertheless, he is to many, a John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Marc Bolan, Janis Joplin, to name a few.

I am of course an avid fan, but also i feel the need to express certain things when it comes to releasing the 'Best of" kind of albums.

There has been 2 releases from Sony label. This one in 2011, The Essential Kingston Wall, and a in 2014 one called "The Goods'. Both the The Essential Kingston Wall and The Goods have the same tracks in the same order. The difference is that the first was more expensive and the art work was more subdued.

The thing with making a best of kind of compilation, it does miss the mark, and does leave out many songs that gave another the album it's purpose. It takes the poetry out of the atmosphere.

I started to write about each song as it appears on this album, but I felt that it took away from the 'feel' of each of the 3 albums they were taken from. Each song does feel out of context on it's own. It is like wearing different shoes, or mismatched clothing. I am certain there is no order these songs could have been listed that would feel like you are really getting into the nitty gritty of what Kingston Wall was about.

Yes, they are all great songs. The best of Some of the songs from a great band.

Would this album make someone who had no knowledge of KW go out and listen to the first 3 full albums?

I am not sure if it would. It feels like a homogenized/abridged 'Best of Pink Floyd' albums, which incidentally, I feel pretty much the same way about.

In short, the best way to understand Kingston Wall is to listen to their 3 albums, and in track order.

The Essential Kingston Wall is really for collectors, or perhaps those who wish to take some of the songs on this album and add them to a play list.

I would rate it an Excellent Addition, however the album 'The Essential Kingston Wall' is not necessarily Essential.