FAIRYPORT

This is WIGWAM's third album but really their first Progressive one. Not surprisingly this is also where Pekka Pohjola, their legenday bassist comes on board. As Tommy from the "Vintageprog" site notes "Jukka Gustavson (keyboards) usually wrote the most Progressive and complex pieces, while Jim Pembroke (vocalist) wrote the lighter and shorter songs". Pekka also was involved in writing songs for this album and his talent leaned heavily on the more complex style just like Jukka. In fact he had his hand in writing both of the compositions that are far and away my favourites ("Losing Hold" & "Hot Mice"). Interesting that there was no lead guitarist as part of the band on this double album, but legendary guitarist Jukka Tolonen does guest on three tracks.You can hear why I call him legendary if you listen to the over 17 minute "live" closing track where he steals the show and then some. A real mixed bag of styles on this double album as well. Probably more Symphonic music than anything while Jazz and Folk are also prominant. While listening to this recording I kept thinking "This is 1971 ?". I'll quickly go through the songs.

"Losing Hold" was a shared composition by all three of the writers.This for me is the best track on here and one I wish everyone on this site could hear. It has a good uptempo intro and check out Pekka on the bass ! It changes as the organ comes in taking the lead. A drum flury then back to the organ.Themes are repeated. Vocals don't come in until after 3 minutes. Jim sounds a lot like Steve Winwood. This is such a moving section for me. Bass, organ and drums are outstanding 5 minutes in. Fantastic track ! "Lost Without A Trace" is a ballad of acoustic guitar, piano and reserved vocals. "Fairyport" is melancholic to start, then vocals and piano take over with drums and bass following. Organ arrives. It turns jazzy before 2 1/2 minutes and the bass and piano sound great. Aboe and clarinet (I think) before 5 1/2 minutes are a nice touch as vocals return. Cool song. "Gray Traitors" sounds like a continuation of "Fairyport", both were written by Gustavson.This song blends into "Caffkaff,The Country Psychologist" another Gustavson tune. Later the piano gets a little dissonant followed by prominant bass before 3 1/2 minutes. Piano dominates again as bass and drums support. Incredible !

"May Your Will Be Done Dear Lord" features light drums, piano and bass. Some aboe early and the vocals are very Winwood-like here. "How To Make It Big In Hospital" features humerous lyrics with vocals to match.Tolonen makes lots of noise on his guitar here. Organ after a minute and percussion joins the drums before 2 minutes. "Hot Mice" is a Pohjola song and my second most favourite.This is an instrumental and a sign of what was to come on Pekka's future solo albums. This is beautiful to start with piano. Throbbing bass as organ joins in and the tempo picks up. Pure magic as the contrast continues. "P.K.'s Super Market" is another Pekka instrumental with a good beat and lots of piano. "One More Try" is led by piano,vocals and drums. A jazzy interlude 1 1/2 minutes in. Check out the organ. "Rockin' Ol' Galway" is a catchy tune with some harmonica. "Every Fold" is laid back with reserved vocals and piano early. "Rave-Up For The Roadies" is the only track where the drummer and guest guitarist (Tolenen) are involved in composing a song. This is the over 17 minute "live" tune and Tolenen is flat out incredible on this one. While this song doesn't fit in with the rest of the album, I love it. The guitar and bass are wild !

An solid 4 star recording with some good variety and better playing. A must for Prog fans out there.