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WOLF

Jazz Rock/Fusion • United Kingdom


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Wolf biography
Founded in 1972 - Disbanded in 1974

When CURVED AIR fell apart in 1972-1973 Darryl WAY formed a new band called WOLF or DARRYL WAY'S WOLF who carried on much in the same style as CURVED AIR. The band compromised of Darryl Way (naturally) on violin and keyboards, Ian Mosley on drums (later to be in TRACE, STEVE HACKETT's band and of course MARILLION), John Etheridge on guitar (later to be a member of SOFT MACHINE) and Dek Messacar on bass (later to be a member of CARAVAN).

They recorded three albums ("Canis Lupus" (1973), "Saturation Point" (1973) and "Night Music" (1974) of mainly instrumental tracks heavily influenced by classical music. Comparisons to CURVED AIR are inevitable as well as CARAVAN and ELP.

The band never really had any commercial break through despite making some decent recordings and being an excellent live act. Recommended.!

: : : Dave Preston, ENGLAND : : :

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WOLF discography


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WOLF top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.94 | 70 ratings
Canis Lupus
1973
3.91 | 64 ratings
Saturation Point
1973
3.50 | 50 ratings
Night Music
1974

WOLF Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

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WOLF Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Saturation Point by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.91 | 64 ratings

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Saturation Point
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This album was released the same year(1973) as "Canis Lupus" with the same four piece lineup of Daryl Way on violin and keys, John Etheridge on guitar, Dek Messecar on bass and vocals while Ian Mosely is the drummer. I do prefer "Canis Lupus" by a fair margin feeling it was a 4.5 star album while this one "Saturation Point" is a low four stars. I just don't feel the songs are as good plus the vocals which I really liked have been scaled way back and on top of that we get far more soloing from Way and Etheridge and the former dominates here unlike on "Canis Lupus". So if your really into the violin please come by.

My favourite track is the closer "Toy Symphony" as we really get some depth and nasty sounding stuff. Violin is all over this early then the guitar takes over around 1 1/2 minutes but they both lead the way on this track but the violin more so. I really am surprised at the lack of vocals when I felt they contributed so much to "Canis Lupus". "The Ache" is a scorching opener setting the tone and I like that bass at 3 1/2 minutes as it manages to break out of all that's going on. "Two Sisters" has vocals and it's a catchy tune and uptempo. The violin and vocals trade off leading the way.

They slow it down on "Slow Rag" not so surprisingly. Some beautiful moments on this mellow piece and the guitar and violin do take turns leading and we get some nice bass too. We get punchy drums and upfront bass on "Market Overture" as the guitar helps out on this mid paced number. Violin and guitar create a different sounding soundscape over that last minute. The only other track with vocals is "Game Of X" but it's vocal melodies not actual lyrics. Some heaviness on this energetic song too early on and later on as well. Keyboards too. The title track is where Etheridge really shines in my opinion. Keyboards on this one as well.

I like this album a lot but I feel it got spoiled a little bit for me with me starting with "Canis Lupus" instead of the other way around.

 Canis Lupus by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.94 | 70 ratings

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Canis Lupus
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Darryl Way was a founding member of CURVED AIR and a very good violinist to say the least. After CURVED AIR released "Phantasmagoria" in 1972 Darryl left the band to be replaced by a young Eddie Jobson. Way would go on to release two studio albums in 1973 including this one "Canis Lupus" as well as "Saturation Point" both with the same lineups. They would release one more studio album in 1974. The band is more commonly known as DARRYL WAY'S WOLF and this certainly is a band effort all the way(ahem). Both in the compositions and featured instruments. Darryl adds some keyboards too and we have future MARILLION drummer Ian Mosley here along with future SOFT MACHINE guitarist John Etheridge and finally the key in my opinion vocalist and bass player Dek Messecar. He would go on to do both for CARAVAN and I can appreciate how he was such a good fit for them. I just like his singing voice which is clear and higher pitched. And he plays a mean bass too, talented man. So yes this album caught me off guard, I wasn't expecting such an uplifting and consistent recording.

"The Void" opens with keys as the bass joins in followed by drums then vocals as it all picks up. So good! Head bobbin' time. Vocals will come and go as two main pieces are contrasted throughout. The guitar comes in each time the vocals step aside. "Isolation Waltz" is all about that heavy rhythm section early on and we finally hear violin for the first time on the album 2 minutes in. Some vocals on this one. "Go Down" is a relaxed tune with guitar, bass and drums as laid back vocals join in. Vocals are more passionate a minute in, moving stuff. Guitar replaces vocals. Vocals and a more mellow sound after 3 minutes. The guitar does return late. "Wolf" features synths, violin and vocals and Way lights it up after 3 1/2 minutes on that violin.

"Cadenza" opens with some amazing sounding violin leads. Drums and bass join in then guitar before 1 1/2 minutes. Man some talent here with Etheridge and Way on their respective instruments. Bass after 1 1/2 minutes then a drum solo 3 1/2 minutes in that I like. This song really features the instrumental talents of these four guys. "Chanson Sans Paroles" opens bringing ZAO to mind with that melodic violin led sound. It's violin and bass driven early on then we get this calm with piano and atmosphere before 2 minutes which is really cool. Guitar kicks in soaring this time as the tempo picks up. Some intensity later before returning to that opening sound. Great track! "McDonald's Lament" ends it with electric piano, violin and bass. It picks up with guitar and drums joining in and the violin turns more passionate.

I'm still just so impressed with this album and it's probably closer to 4.5 stars. The enjoyment level is very high.

 Canis Lupus by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.94 | 70 ratings

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Canis Lupus
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Psychedelic Paul

5 stars DARRYL WAY's WOLF emerged from the band CURVED AIR when violinist and keyboard player Darryl Way decided he needed a breath of fresh air. He recorded three albums with Curved Air before breezing away:- "Airconditioning" (1970); "Second Album" (1971) and "Phantasmagoria" (1972). He also co-wrote Curved Air's one and only hit song: "Back Street Luv". He left the band to form his own group Darryl Way's Wolf - or simply Wolf - in 1972 with a sense of dogged determination, although his band project never quite managed to achieve the howling success of Curved Air. Darryl Way's Wolf recorded three albums together:- "Canis Lupus" (1973); "Saturation Point" (1973) and "Night Music" (1974). The first album "Canis Lupus" (the Latin name for Wolf), features a number of classical themes, so let's travel Bach in time now to the proggy annus mirabilis year of 1973 and take a look at the album from a 21st century 20/20 vision perspective.

We're journeying back through time and space for "The Void", a spectacular cosmic opening to the album. This lively Jazz-Rock number features warm and silver-toned vocals from singer and bass player Dek Messecar, in powerful combination with a sparkling display of dexterity from Jazzy guitarist John Etheridge, and just to remind us that the piano is a percussion instrument in the orchestra, Darryl Way really hammers away at those piano keys with passionate intensity, backed up by drummer Ian Mosley giving the song some added Wolf bite with his pounding percussion. Well, that's all of the four lupine band members given a well-deserved name-check in the opening, so onwards to the next song: "Isolation Waltz". This song is no Waltzing Matilda though. No, "Isolation Waltz" is a storming rocker, in solid pulverizing 4/4 Rock time, and definitely not some wimpy pendulating Waltzy tune in 3/4 time. Darryl Way's way-out manic violin bow curves through the air demonically throughout this solid rocker, bringing to mind some of the classic Curved Air blasts from the past. In fact, Way's vital and vivacious violin playing sounds like Vivaldi going at pell-mell speed on anabololic steroids. Make no mistake, this band are no wolves in sheep's clothing! If you "Go Down" to the woods today, you might just meet a big bad Wolf, or you might be in for a big surprise with "Go Down", which features the band Wolf in a much mellower mood this time around in this cool and groovy Jazz number. This smooth and sophisticated Jazz would no doubt be best listened to whilst dressed elegantly in a dinner jacket or evening dress whilst coolly sipping on a dry Martini - shaken not stirred - in a salubrious cocktail lounge. Yes, it's that kind of cool Jazzy music that might have featured in an early James Bond movie, or maybe a much more recent Austin Powers movie. Either way, it's a great song. The final song on Side One "Wolf", represents a return to some mean and mighty Jazz-Rock with another vivid violin display from Darryl Way of stunning Vivaldi-esque proportions. This song has claws!

We're off on another crazy helter-skelter violin ride with "Cadenza". What's a "Cadenza" you may well ask? Well, it's a a virtuoso solo musical performance, and that's exactly what you get here from Darryl Way's maniacal violin. In fact, ALL of the musicians in the band are given the chance to display their magnificent musical plumage here with stunning style and panache. There's the inevitable drum solo, a dynamic dazzling display from Darryl Way on the keyboards, and a glittering glissando of guitar soloing. Darryl Way's incredible keyboards soar so high up into the stratosphere on this magnificent magnum opus that they almost go beyond the limits of human hearing. If you play this exhilarating music loudly and your dog starts going crazy, then you'll know the reason why. All in all, it's an outstanding piece of music. There's another invigorating burst of music on the way with "Chanson Sans Paroles" (which is French for "Song Without Words). The music is exactly what it says on the label because it's an instrumental, although the uninspiring term "instrumental" can never do justice to this fabulous piece of music. Take cover and batten down the hatches because Hurricane Darryl is on the Way! You can expect to hear another stunning display of awesome musical virtuosity with Darryl Way's wild and untamed werewolf violin leading the way. This is Jazz-Rock like you've never heard it played before and it's just as good - if not better than - anything Curved Air have ever done. This stormy music is no light breeze. No, this is more like a category five hurricane of unbridled raw power and energy! It's safe to come out now though, because the closing number "McDonald's Lament" is a return to altogether gentler climes. "McDonald's Lament" is nothing to do with a well-known American fast-food chain running out of hamburgers. It's just a gentle slice of Irish Folk whimsy floating on a mellow wave of vivacious violin strings and delicate percussion.

Darryl Way's Wolf "Canis Lupus" debut is an incredible howling performance from beginning to end. If you like Curved Air, then you'll surely love Darryl Way's Wolf. They're like a breath of fresh air. This terrific lupine "Bark at the Moon" music jumps up and bites when you least expect it, so watch out, there's a Wolf about!

 Canis Lupus by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.94 | 70 ratings

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Canis Lupus
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by stefro
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Actually the first album from Darryl Way's Wolf(sorry Progarchives; but we all make mistakes!) this 1973 effort found the former Curved Air violinist teaming up with talented Canadian bassist Dek Messecar, future Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge and drummer Ian Mosley(who would, of course, go on join Marillion over a decade later). With Way's enigmatic violin riffs leading the way, 'Canis Lupus' is indeed a fine album, taking its stylistic lead from Curved Air but adding a tougher, more muscular sheen whilst also embracing elements of ethereal folk, playful jazziness and some startling instrumental interplay from the foursome. Highlights are many; the gorgeous guitar riff that pins together opening gambit 'The Void' proves a real treat, the fearsome 'Isolation Waltz' adds a powerful rock veneer to proceedings whilst the final, haunting mini-epic 'McDonald's Lament' showcases Way at his very best. For those who find Curved Air a little wimpy, Darryl Way's Wolf should prove a perfect antidote. An excellent debut release. STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012
 Night Music by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1974
3.50 | 50 ratings

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Night Music
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Prog_Veteran

3 stars (***1/2 really) All 3 WOLF albums are GREAT and examples of how self expression can be fantastic instead of cloning famous models. Probably the 3rd "Night Music" is the one that grabs me more because of Hodkinson excellent vocals addition. It completed the musical WOLF scope providing well balanced instruments with vocal harmonies. Darryl Way violin and keyboards are cool as the whole band famous performers (read P.A. for biography of them all). This is a fine example of how prog genre can provide unlimited creativity (hey, it's not jazz-rock style, please, WOLF is predominantly prog style with few ala guitar and violin Mahavishinu solos). In a prog context "Saturation Point" 1973 2nd WOLF may be the most consistent and pleasing album in spite of its annoying cover.

My 1991 Japanese CD edition has the lyrics (in english) and information but I don't read Japanese (for sure!!), a pity as I wanted to know what's written there? After this WOLF last album Ian Mosley replaced not less than Pierre Van Der Linden on drums on the Dutch band TRACE "Birds" (1975,**** highly recommended for keyboards lovers all 3 TRACE albums - to me, the FOCUS drummer demonstrates his most sensational playing in 1st TRACE "s/t" album maybe more than in any Focus albums). Darryl Way played in one track of TRACE "Birds" too. Please take Ian Mosley as the drummer who replaced Pierre Van der Linden, more than the "Fugazi" Marillion drummer. Also after Wolf's end, guitarrist Jonh Etheridge replaced in SOFT MACHINE not less than Alan Holdsworth in the album "Softs" (1975 ****).

I also can say that Darryl Way is not missed in Curved Air "Air Cut" (1973, ****), as later UK Eddie Jobson replaced him wonderfully - listen to 'Metamorphosis' his and Sonja Kristina composition track. Anyway I love Way return to Curved Air in the 1974 "live" (****) album. But Way contribution to C A "Midnight Wire" (1975, **1/2) is less in prog developments. So maybe It would be better if Curved Air remained with Eddie Jobson in the vein of "Air Cut" (at the time it failed in sales, but musically to me is one of the best C.A. albuns), and Wolf continued their career with Way. But there were market rules at record companies, and sales that kept them alive.

 Night Music by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1974
3.50 | 50 ratings

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Night Music
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Joćo Paulo

4 stars A great album for this band. The cd is reissue by Esoteric Recordings what much pleased me. The great violin sound with a great bass player, made Night Music an album what we should not have lost. Some parts are calm, but others have an impressive rhythm, which it does so that it is not annoyed. Nothing is exaggerated, but completely very balanced. In spite of is the most commercial of the three what the band did, it does not stop being a great album what I was already not hearing there are many years because the tape it broke in the auto-car. Hear and they do not go away to repent, specially the fans of the Curved Air
 Saturation Point by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.91 | 64 ratings

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Saturation Point
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by tszirmay
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars What a stellar line-up of excellent musicians, led by the crafty virtuosity of Darryl Way of Curved Air legend, with future Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge , future Caravan and The Strawbs bassist Dek Messecar and future Trace and Marillion drumster Ian Mosley. So what do we get? Some blazing string driven things with very few keyboards, the six string electric in battle with (at time against) the four string chin job! "The Ache" is a fiery instrumental opener that showcases Etheridge's rather tectonic playing as well as Way's capacity to parallel the emotional zeal with seeming ease. "Two-Sisters" leaves the station as a pleasantly sung Brit Rock piece, until the two soloists (the two brothers?) conspire to shred the arrangement to pieces, the little terrorists! Way in particular has a sizzling outro. "Slow Rag" is Etheridge's turn to show off his skills, weaving a leisurely guitar tapestry, in unison with Way's ultra-romantic glide, an ornate acoustic foray that has a definite Mediterranean feel, almost mandolin-ish , building up into a paroxysm of emotion and then gently ebbing, the violin's elegance leading the er. way. Mosley thrashes nicely on this fine piece. "Market Overture" supplies some electric piano musings, with supersonic jazzy electric guitar picking and a kindergarten violin sortie that builds inexorably, percussive adornments and booming bass taking this to an impromptu end. "Game of X" is at first straight ahead rock and roll, a two- fisted power boogie with scorching violin and some oddball hard scat singing but the shifting moods take this into a different expanse of improvisational violin screeching at the raucous guitar ramblings. Almost punkish at times, this definitely shows that the Wolf has big fangs. It becomes quite obvious that overproduced and lush symphonics are not what this rock predator is about. "Saturation Point" is a slow moving exploration that gives again both stringers the opportunity to forage above the bed of electric keyboards and seek out new sounds to play with, seemingly effortlessly. The classical tendencies here a quite remote as jazz or rock seem to be the prey of the day. Etheridge in particular has an electric guitar style that is enormously impressive, fluid yet raw, very animated as opposed to run of the mill. The bass rolls along nicely and keeps things nice and tidy. The fantastic finale is "Toy Symphony" (the definite highpoint here), which does revert to some intense violin classicisms but are quickly kidnapped by some weighty fuzz bass and cliff-hanger drumming, again flinging the arrangement into rockier geographies. Darryl Way displays his complete mastery over this tremendous instrument by choosing to eschew gratuitous note splashing and wringing out feeling and emotion from his trusted weapon. The final few minutes are a frenzy of exhilarating interplay that will leave you breathless. Just like being chased by a hungry wolf. Definitely worthy of your prog zoo, I mean.. collection. 4 canines.
 Canis Lupus by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.94 | 70 ratings

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Canis Lupus
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by raleks

5 stars Very good album, even with compare with of Genesis, JT, Yes and so on. Beatiful themes, excellent playing (especially Way's violin (as usual :) ) and guitar work), nice vocal, the rest of album's instrumentals also are good (though I prefer songs). Despite previous review I think there is no rip-offs from anywhere and sound is unique and catchy. Must have in any 70th prog collection. I have it got and listen to it periodically and every time with pleasure. I think most of men who tired of monsters of prog and discovering not so known 70th prog bands give 5 stars to this album, as I gave :)
 Night Music by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1974
3.50 | 50 ratings

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Night Music
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Wolf was the band which Curved Air's violin/occasional keyboard player Darryl Way formed during '73/'74, whilst Eddie Jobson filled his shoes in that band. Assembling a selection of highly skilled musicians ; Ian Mosley (drums, and to this day, drumming for MARILLION), Dek Messecar (bass/vocals* - *1st two albums only) who later joined CARAVAN for the 'Better by Far' and 'The Album' releases, and John Etheridge (guitar), who later joined SOFT MACHINE for their albums 'Softs' and 'Alive and Well in Paris'. Employing a full-time vocalist, Colin Hodkinson, for this release (and he has a very good voice), enabled Dek more freedom for his, often stunning Bass playing, and this shows on the fantastic opening track, 'The Envoy'. Etheridge's guitaring is firmly in the jazz mould, and can remind one of an embryonic Holdsworth in style. This album, 'Night Music', is quite a gem, fairly consistent throughout, and fans of the abovementioned bands should most certainly enjoy all of Wolf's output. I wouldn't consider their music 'fusion', but it has hints of Canterbury and is a great example of U.K. progressive jazz-rock.
 Night Music by WOLF album cover Studio Album, 1974
3.50 | 50 ratings

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Night Music
Wolf Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by braindamage

4 stars The third work of release in 1974 "Night Music". The enhancement of the Vorcal part was aimed at on John Hodkinson of IF. It is a quite experimental content though the pop taste is felt like the main feature as for the tune that the way initiated. It is a masterpiece of the progressive rock that has been forgotten why. To our regret, it became the final work. Personally, I like lowered performance as for the vertical shake of the stick of Ian Mosley.
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