RETURN TO MINGULAY

Andy John Bradford is an English folk singer-songwriter. For this album he invited Colin Tench (Corvus Stone, Minstrel's Ghost, BunChakese, etc) to help him out. Other members of other bands joined in and they made this album, under the name Oceans 5. Bradford wanted to re-work a 200 year old sea shanty called the "Mingulay Boatsong." Andy plays acoustic 12-string guitar and the songs here are generally based on his playing and vocals. Mostly acoustic guitar and rhythm section-based, although there is lots of versatile electric guitar playing from Colin and some keyboards as well (including a bit of synth). The music can be described as British folk-rock for the most part with some proggy influences. Some tracks are proggish while others are not prog at all.

On the "Mingulay Boatsong" a sea shanty is turned into something that could fit on Floyd's The Division Bell! The chorus of "Empty Hands" reminds me of American folk-rock, specifically The Byrds. "Dancing With The Rhythm Of The Shore" has some funny sound effects at the beginning. One of the better songs here but it is in a pop-rock/hard rock style. "Invictus Captain Of My Soul" is the standout track to my ears. Great song, sounds like a cross between Mike Oldfield and The Moody Blues. Nice synth melodies and percussion. The vocals are very good and catchy as well. "6000 Friends" is more bluesy sounding than the other songs and features Lorelei McBroom on vocals, who has toured with Pink Floyd amongst others. Unfortunately, I find this one of the weakest songs - both musically and lyrically. "Fly Away" is one of the longer tracks but it gets more interesting as it goes along. There is also a single version but the album version is superior.

Not a bad song here but this might not be what some prog fans are looking for. The music sometimes reminds me of the Canadian band Blue Rodeo, however the vocals are 100% British folk-rock. Andy's vocals are sometimes treated with studio effects which makes a nice change once in awhile. If every song here was a strong as "Invictus" I would be tempted to give the album 4 stars. As it is I will give it 3 stars, good but not essential.