SKY 3

There are already several collab reviews for this album, but none dealing with the Esoteric Recordings' re-release (2015) containing a supplementary concert DVD. First shortly about the album itself.

I think at first SKY survived quite well the departure of keyboardist Francis Monkman (formerly of CURVED AIR), who also was a major composer for the group, especially concerning the long pieces such as 'Where Opposites Meet' and 'Fifo'. The new guy Steve Gray, known and invited to join Sky by drummer Tristan Fry, had his background in jazz. Therefore, what the band definitely lost in progressive rock flavour, they gained in a jazz/fusion touch. Gray's contribution to Sky 3 as a composer is understandably not vast in quantity but fairly gratifying, and as a musician he integrated to the line-up with natural ease. He wrote the delicate 'Hello' the day he joined the group. 'Sister Rose' is a more outgoing piece with some funk nuances, and 'Meheeco', co-written with bassist Herbie Flowers, is among the album's highlights.

Charmingly bookended by brief Herbie Flowers tunes, Sky 3 contains pleasant if not groundbreaking original material from each member except the classical guitarist John Williams, who in turn arranged G. F. Händel's 'Sarabande'. In that respect, Sky 3 is far more creative an album than its follower which consists only of classically oriented cover performances. The Esoteric reissue has both printed the original texts by the members themselves (with the tongue- in-cheek attitude -- which in the case of 'Moonroof' seems even harsh if you're not used to their humour) and the new liner notes by the established rock journalist Sid Smith. Flowers and Fry have offered their memories and thoughts.

Sky 3 was released in March 1981 and it peaked at No. 3 at the UK album charts. Shortly before the release, in 24th of February the fresh line-up performed in London's Westminster Abbey, the famous Medieval cathedral. They were among the first rock groups allowed to play there. The show/DVD is one hour and 24 minutes long and amidst the material of the new album there are well chosen pieces from the former line-up, even Monkman's epic 'Fifo'. Each member in turn introduces the pieces. Fry speaks of "the zoological part of the show": in Camille Saint-Saens' 'The Swan' he plays the cello part on marimba, and Herbie Flowers has penned a humorous tuba number 'The Whale'. The gig ends with a good performance of the superb Bach adaptation 'Toccata'. The visual quality of the concert film is pretty good, featuring shots of the church both inside and outside.

For the DVD (the Westminster Abbey concert hasn't been released separately) this release is among the essential ones of Sky.