THAT NIGHT IN LEAMINGTON

A beautiful live album from masters of folk and melancholy symphonic prog Mostly Autumn. This is an exquisite performance form the band as it was a night to remember being the last concert with the incomparable Heather Findlay. It was recorded live at Leamington Assembly, 2nd April 2010, a fitting arena to host such a momentous occasion for the band.

As a farewell concert to the consummate vocalist it works well, as the atmosphere is charged with electricity with the band launching into some of their most well known and revered material. There are a plethora of live albums that have emerged over the years from Mostly Autumn but this one must be one of the best. Just about every one of the classics are here from 'Spirit of Autumn Past' to 'Heroes Never Die' that stand the test of time and still retain the power and majesty of the band at their best.

The set list opens with 'Fading Colours', 'Caught in a Fold' and 'Flowers for Guns' that are upbeat and melodic with some incredible musicianship. Bryan Josh has some amazing guitar passages on songs such as the opening of 'Spirit of Autumn Past' and he also has a gentle voice that sounds like David Gilmour. In fact the band are highly influenced by Pink Floyd as is well documented. Heather Findlay plays some instruments with acoustic guitars, whistles, and percussion. Iain Jennings is a fantastic keyboardist with dramatic outbursts of piano and some drifting synth lines. Anne-Marie Helder is lovely on flutes, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals. Liam Davison's rhythm, acoustic and 12-string guitars are an essential component and he also plays slide guitar sometimes. The rhythm is provided by Andy Smith's bass and Gavin Griffiths' drums. Olivia Sparnenn is essential on backing vocals, and this was her last concert in the role as she took over as lead vocalist.

The concert is very long and features all of the best Mostly Autumn songs ending on the quintessential 'Evergreen' that is even more emotional for Findlay as she farewells her band and her fans in her last performance. The 'Farewell speech' is here and is quite moving. She says she would be hard pressed to even get close to finding musicians of such calibre, such passion and talent as Mostly Autumn, with an agreeable response from the crowd. She had a few "what are you doing?" moments on this night. She thanks the fans and says. "quite frankly I couldn't be leaving it in better hands."

This album is a fitting farewell to the princess of prog folk and it signifies the ultimate epiphany for the band as they move on to a new chapter in their career.

Review Nº 714

"That Night In Leamington" is the eleventh live album of Mostly Autumn that was released in 2011. It was also released in the DVD format one year before, in 2010. As its name suggests it was recorded and filmed at the Assembly Rooms in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK, on 2nd April 2010, to celebrate the long time vocalist band's member Heather Findlay's period with the band. This was the last show with Heather Findlay on the band before the backing vocalist Olivia Sparnenn took over the role. Heather Findlay left the group to pursue a solo musical career. So, "That Night In Leamington" is the farewell of Heather Findlay of the group after fourteen years as a band's member on Mostly Autumn.

So, the line up on "That Night In Leamington" is Heather Findlay (lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars, whistles, recorders and percussion), Olivia Sparnenn (backing vocals and percussion), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitars, recorders and percussion), Bryan Josh (lead and backing vocals and lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars), Liam Davison (backing vocals, rhythm, acoustic guitars and 12 string guitars), Iain Jennings (keyboards and piano), Andy Smith (bass guitars) and Gavin Griffiths (drums).

"That Night In Leamington" has nineteen tracks. The first track "Fading Colours" was released on "Heart Full Of Sky". The second track "Caught In A Fold" was released on "Passengers". The third track "Flowers For Guns" was released on "Glass Shadows". The fourth track "Unoriginal Sin" was released on "Glass Shadows". The fifth track "The Spirit Of Autumn Past ? Part 2" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The sixth track "Simple Ways" was released on "Passengers". The seventh track "The Last Bright Light" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The eighth track "Passengers" was released on "Passengers". The ninth track "Shrinking Violet" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The tenth track "Carpe Diem" was released on "Storms Over Still Water". The eleventh track "Winter Mountain" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The twelfth track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The thirteenth track "Answer The Question" was released on "Passengers". The fourteenth track "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)" was released on "For All We Shared". The fifteenth track "Half The Mountain" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The sixteenth track "Mother Nature" was released on "The Last Bright Light". The seventeenth track "Above The Blue" was released on "Glass Shadows". The eighteenth track "Heroes Never Die" was released on "For All We Shared". The nineteenth track "Evergreen" was released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past".

The fact that night in the Assembly Rooms in the British Leamington Spa is also the last of their singer Heather Findlay is a little bit sad. But in view of this opulent, almost two and a half hour recording, that is quickly forgotten. The seven piece band acts live, mostly supported by a few strings, and the sound is correspondingly complex and the live flair could be captured one to one at all times. The band operates always somewhere in the field of tension between art and folk rock, and has always done quite well with this dichotomy. But it's the shorter, modest songs like the romantic piano piece "Above The Blue", the incomparable "Simple Ways" or the straight rocking "Caught In A Fold" that exude the most charm pieceshere. But of course, the long epics are still the hallmark of Mostly Autumn and "Shrinking Violet" beguiles with its broad arrangement. In "Mother Nature", which is almost 18 minutes long, the band is introduced, who otherwise always present themselves in a very modest and friendly way, and above all, Heather Findlay's almost shy announcements are just sweet. Finally, "Heroes Never Die" escalates from a simple guitar chord to a folky-rocking crescendo, and as always, it's Findlay and then backing vocalist Olivia Sparnenn who, with their incomparable voices, are already half the story determine the band. But, Mr. Josh is also allowed to use the microphone from time to time, as is usual. Wistfully, Heather Findlay says goodbye at the end and thanks to her great band with her final farewell speech.

Conclusion: "That Night In Leamington" has almost the same set list as "Live 2009 ? Part I" and "Live 2009 ? Part II", already reviewed by me. Of the nineteen tracks on "That Night In Leamington" only three of those songs, "Passengers", "Shrinking Violet" and "Mother Nature" aren't part of those live albums. By the other hand, of the eight tracks on "Live 2009 ? Part I" and twelve tracks on "Live 2009 ? Part II" only four, "Broken Glass", "Never The Rainbow", "Pocket Watch" and "Tearing At The Faerytale" aren't part of "That Night In Leamington". So, somehow, we are in presence of three similar amazing live albums. Returning to "That Night In Leamington", we are witnessing the end of a journey, a long and inspiring road, stretching back further than thirteen years. It was a final farewell to Heather Findlay's time with Mostly Autumn. To all of us it was a last chance to celebrate live the magic that Heather wove throughout that journey, a fitting testament to the end of an era. I'm sure that you will all join me saying thanks to her for so many great journey.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)