TALES FROM MOONLIT BAY

Like Wendy

Neo-Prog

3.67 | 57 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

Third offering from Bert (leader and multi-instrumentalist) and Marien (on the drums). This duo plays some beautiful and melodic music which at times is closer to the symphonic genre IMO.

When you listen to the superb epic and opening track "The Falcon Suite", this feeling can only be reinforced. Passionate and delicate intro (piano and guitar), gentle vocals and some very varied and soft musical/vocals interplays. Here and there some heavier riffs will bring some neo-prog feeling but the global mood is really excessively emotional.

Vocals are "BJH" oriented (but this is no new feature). At mid-time, this song turns into the best of the "BJH" repertoire. From their great and splendid era : the mid-seventies of course. If you like this "BJH" period you will be found of this jewel of an epic. On par with the greatest ones IMHHO.

Bombastic and lush keys, crying guitars (as Nick Barrett could have played) are just a pure delight throughout these twenty-one minutes.

Another highlight is the beautiful "A King's Epitaph". This song is again extremely melodic thanks to some fantastic keyboards sounds. Truly symphonic by all means. It is hard to decide which of these two songs is the best one. Only one advice : just listen to them in an endless loop. So vibrant guitar as well.Another jewel I guess.

Not all the numbers are as good. Take "Paradise" for instance. It is closer to prog metal. Repetitive, noisy and uniform, even if the final instrumental break gets back to some finer territories. I am not impressed with the acoustic and sleepy "Ivory Tower". A nice and symphonic closing section comes at the rescue, fortunately.

There is a live song featured on this studio album. Rather strange if you know that the band is only a duo.I guess that they must have another line-up for live performances. Anyway, "Live at Armageddon" is another amazing instrumental song. Huge keys and some Rothery guitar effects (you know the ones he used a lot as a transition between two songs). Another highlight with an exceptional finale. Simply wonderful.

The long closing number is also a wonderful song. Vocals remind me "Machiavel" at times while keys are very much in the Banks style. The whole piece consisting of such delicate keys and of short but so profound guitar instants. Another highlight of this album which is a highlight in "Like Wendy" 's career.

It is truly remarkable to produce such an album when you bear in mind that Bert Heinen is almost alone to produce all this. Really impressive.

I feel so ashamed that only TWO reviews with comments were posted before mine for this album.This is unbearable. Such a beautiful true prog offering and so little reactions. Too bad for the ones who are missing this work which features thirty magical minutes.

Four stars.

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 | 2007-12-3

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