FOLLOW THE DAWN

I first came across Root whilst reading some reviews on this website. I delved a bit deeper and managed to find the track 'Our Town" from the latest CD "Birds eye and tiger striped". On the strength of listening to this song i decided that Root had something, so proceeded to order all the available CDs.

Once they arrived i decided to listen to the first CD, "Dreams of Green", but ended up listening to all 7 in one marathon headphone session.

There is just something so appealing about the music......it drags you in...its stimulating, thought provoking and restfull all at once.

This music is all the more impressive when you discover that David Kendall, the man behind Root, does this all himself....plays all the instruments, sings, writes, produces, does the artwork.

So to "follow the dawn". The first track started with a nice bass and keyboard intro. Something bugged me once the vocals started, there was something about the timbre and toning of the voice that reminded me of someone.....it took me until about half way through the track before i could think of who it was...Gerry Rafferty of "baker street" fame. There was that smokey, world weary feel that fits in perfectly with the music. There is also a bit of Steve Hogarth in there.

The musicianship is excellent throughout, spacey keyboards, Gilmouresque guitar backed with solid bass and drums. Kendall excels on guitar, his soloing is tastefull, elegant, atmospheric and yet powerfull when required, never self indulgent. Theres a great acoustic interlude at the end of "think it over son".

Most songs are in the 7 to 9 minute range with the shortest being just over 5. The quality is consistent throughout and contains elements of space, neo and prog metal particularly in some of the guitar playing. Hogarth era Marillion would be comparable, but there are also elements of Genesis, Pendragon and IQ.

Even ignoring the fact that this is a one man band it is a great release. It just draws me in and leaves me wanting to put the next CD on straight away.

Give it a try....you might find as i did that you end up getting Roots whole catalogue!