THE DEPTHS OF WINTER

Multi-instrumentalist (and Camel live keyboard player) Pete Jones is back with his third album under the name Tiger Moth Tales, and this time he has brought in some friends to assist him on a couple of songs, but for the vast majority of time it just Pete. Mind you, a very special mention must be made of Luke Machin's incredibly fluid solo on "Winter Maker", one of three songs that break the ten- minute barrier. The album isn't a concept album per se, more a thematic collection of wintery concepts, and stories that take place in the winter season. There are a number of different themes explored, including winter folk tales and characters such as the Ojibwe wind spirit, Biboon, the Viking legends of Baldr, Loki and Frigga, and the death of English folklore hero, Robin Hood. As with previous Tiger Moth Tales albums, this new collection of works includes a broad range of musical feelings and emotions, from dark themes such as a grim fight for survival in "Winter Maker", and the terrible scenes described in "Exposure", based on the Wilfred Owen poem of the same name, to the warmer feel good tracks such as the joyous and exuberant "Sleigh Ride" and the closing track "Hygge".

Unlike many multi-instrumentalists Pete has a strong voice, and writes to his strengths, so that the songs always feel emotional. There are definite nods to Hackett, both solo and in his time with Genesis, and there were times when I found myself wondering if a particular song might actually fit on 'Wind & Wuthering', such is the quality. There is really only one downside to me with this release, and that is the "drums". Pete really needs to invest in a live drummer as opposed to a machine, as it definitely drags the music down, and with a quality person behind the kit it would assist in taking this to the next level. As it stands, it is still an essential release, and I am very much looking forward to the next one.

Wonderful multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Pete Jones, ie. Tiger Moth Tales, chose to deal with wintery themes in his third album. And no, it definitely hasn't much to do with Christmas! Many songs are inspired by old British or Scandinavian folklore. Jones has played everything himself (I have to agree with the previous reviewer Kev that employing a real drummer instead of using drum programming would have done good), with a few exceptions, and those guest appearances add very nice details to the whole, which would have been pleasant even without them.

The opener is just a half-minute instrumental featuring Emma Brown's flute, followed seamlessly by one of the three tracks of over ten minutes length, 'Winter Maker': a mellow and dreamy piece slightly resembling the Wind & Wuthering era Genesis. Besides the flute there's also a brass section, but it's Pete's excellent work on keyboards and his warm vocals plus the lead guitar guest appearance of Luke Machin that make this song lovely. 'Exposure' (13:36) based on Wilfred Owen's poem has nearly four minutes of instrumental serenity --that could grace some of the better Steve Hackett albums of the recent decades -- before the vocals enter. The composition's melancholic beauty reminds me of 'Ice', one of my dearest Camel instrumentals, but it increases, perhaps a bit unnecessarily, its prog dynamics with more rocking moments too.

My least favourite on this album is probably the Robin Hood themed 4th track, which features voice-over sections of Jamie Ambler to underline the narrative level. Also as a song per se it feels more cliched. 'Migration' returns to the slow-tempo mellowness with an autumnal mood. 'Take the Memory' is another excellent song, featuring a clarinet solo from Pete. 'Sleigh Ride' is a very enjoyable and fresh instrumental, again sonically resembling Genesis circa 1976, with the flute addition.

'The Tears of Frigga' is the other (and better) legend-based song co-written with Jamie Ambler. By the way, Pete's vocals remind me of Happy The Man, as well as the playing here and there on this album. The mellow and pastoral song 'Hygge' is one of the highlights, and I don't mind at all that it makes me think of 'Entangled' by Genesis. I recommend this beautiful 71 minute album especially to those who enjoy the quartet-era Genesis and the most pastoral side of Steve Hackett.