Let me immediately state for the record that this review will be utterly biased, in full favor of an artist that I not only admire but having all his albums from different bands, I cannot help to kneel at the shrine. A master guitarist innovator and extremely proficient keyboardist to boot, his playing has graced sensational recordings by Iona, Lifesigns, the Strawbs as well as collaborations with Nick Fletcher, Troy Donockley, David Fitzgerald, Dave Brons, Circuline, Geoffrey Downes and John Holden. Might as well dish out the awards right away, as I doubt very much this seasoned artist would ever dare to publish substandard material. Rest assured, this is another masterstroke of genius.
On the heels of 2021’s tectonic “To the Far Away”, here comes a double CD set, covering 83 minutes of sonic adventure of the highest order. Four long years to get to this point was surely well worth the wait. The reviews have just started to wash up on the prog shoreline, and all have expressed the sheer quality in glowing terms. In fact, even though I am utterly tempted to ramble on, describing track by track, yet the need to mention the creative core is just too overpowering. Jon Poole garnishes his meaty bass lines throughout the course of the recording, in complete synergy with arguably one of the most celebrated drummers anywhere, the legendary Simon Phillips, whose list of credits outweighs the pages of War and Peace by Tolstoy. Add a septet of supremely talented vocalists, starting with perennial partner Sally Minnear (who I had the pleasure of seeing at a recent Pendragon concert), the hyper busy Randy McStine, the powerful Ian Horner, Rachel Walker, Ebony Buckle (now that is a name), Nick Burns and Susie Minnear, Sally’s sister. Usual crew of Frank van Essen and Jonas Pap on the strings as well as Troy, David and Nigel Cameron on the wind instruments complete the roster. As is always the case with Bainbridge’s style, his output requires a thorough listen from first note to last, as he is a proponent of sonic adventure rather than individually radio/net airplay tracks. I therefore urge those with spare quality time on their hands (an extinguishing species, so I hear) to unplug themselves from all their electronic bondage and wander into the musical aurora borealis that is offered.
From the opening delicacy of “For Evermore”, the Celtic-tinged saga takes on a life of its own, as it wanders from “On the Slopes of Sliabh Mis”, as if flying over the northern reaches of the British Isles out to where Iona once buried kings, to the bright kaleidoscope of “the Colour of Time”, with its classic Yes-like influence, onto the spiritual inclined “That They May be One” as well as the mind-opening title track, garnished with multiple vocal insertions. With designations like pastoral “The Whispering of Landscape” (an acoustic fretboard gem) and the volatile and intricate epic “The Hills of Angels”, you get the clear indication that Dave conceived an aural geographic travelogue, solidifying the true notion of discovery, progression and movement.
The first CD also showcases the incredible talents of the guests involved, the unrivaled top shelf Poole-Phillips rhythm section, as well as the stimulating vocal deliveries, each one as breathtaking as the last. Throughout, Dave incorporates his gut-wrenching guitar playing, that at times even venturing to capture Holdsworthian elevations, soaring higher that many would even dare to undertake, let alone deliver in spades. Few guitarists can balance emotional impact with technical bravura quite like him. His opulent keyboards attach all the colorations found on the cover, and then some ; check out the piano, synth and organ display on “Hill of the Angels”, its unequivocally colossal, and a highlight album feature!
The second (and my favourite) CD goes “Farther Up and Farther In“(how appropriate) as it fulminates thanks to Phillips’ torrid shuffling beats, propelling the electric guitar into a superfluity of diagonal streaks that aim for the remotest reaches of sound, twinkling piano runs adding fuel to the fire. The marvelous strains of Irish pipes greet the intro on “Reilig Odhrain”, a resplendent 12-and-a-half-minute medieval soundtrack that temptingly churns the soul, choppy choir work furthering the mystic process. The shimmering theme is astonishing in its effect on both the ears and the mind, taking one back to faraway epochs where reverence meant more than algorithms, where courage was front and often bloody center, instead of surreptitiously hiding behind keyboard camouflage. ‘O tempora, o mores’ (look it up, copy paste and google LOL)! The music proposed glitters with infinite beauty, as it navigates verdant valleys and potent peaks, gliding along rivulets and cascades, yearning for access to the sea “Beyond the Plains of Earth and Time”, which is the next phase of ambient Celtic seduction, lushly orchestrated (Frank van Essen and Jonas Pap), pulling at the heart strings with elegant serenity.
The mammoth “Fall Away” tumbles along for nearly 17 minutes and as such, is the central event here, an uncompromising structure that incorporates all the countless tones, messages and imprints propounded above, in the most compelling and persuasive manner possible. Both intoxicating and vigorous, the intuitive arrangement provokes beyond the customary conventions, a bold trait that Bainbridge has espoused since his early days with Iona. The essential vocals suggest eternal healing, surely a contribution we all collectively and individually would need to regain some semblance of happiness. The ethereal repetition of the title is hypnotic as the swirling pipes embrace the soul, a miraculous acceleration that heightens the acclamation, leading to massed voices urging on the epiphany. A dazzling guitar vector showing the way to it all, intensity defined.
The farewell message cannot be more controversial, a contemporary artist daring to go against the negative-only burden that chokes our daily routine, “When All Will Be Bright” offering the message of hope, salvation, escape and peace. What a novel initiative! Having cheated death in 1999, I , of all people, can fully concur. Wholly exquisite.
Another gem in the Bainbridge pantheon. Another top podium finish for 2025 .
5 Imaginary abysses