CDs
Ravens and Lullabies
Giltrap and Wakeman
disc 1
disc 2
2CD signed limited edition AVAILABLE NOW !
Guitar Legend and the next generation of keyboard wizardry join forces for a new record!
4th March 2013 will see guitar legend Gordon Giltrap and keyboardist Oliver Wakeman (following his years of touring with the classic progressive rock band YES) release their debut collaborative album 'Ravens & Lullabies' on the Esoteric Antenna label.
The album is a 13 song collection of hard hitting memorable rock pieces coupled with thought provoking lyrics alongside acoustic duets featuring their fine instrumental interplay.
The project was initiated with a phone call from Gordon to Oliver in early 2012 requesting Oliver's keyboard services for a new rock album. Within 24 hours Gordon had phoned again suggesting a full collaboration instead and the 'Ravens & Lullabies' concept was born.
Gordon and Oliver spent 2012 writing and recording the album which features a return for Gordon to his rock roots following a 30 year absence and Oliver's first recorded works since his departure from both Yes and Strawbs.
It has been recorded and mixed by 'Threshold' guitarist Karl Groom (who also mixed the Yes 'Live In Lyon' record which featured Oliver on keyboards).
The album will be available in two formats, a single CD featuring 13 new pieces and double pack special edition featuring a Bonus CD of live recordings taken from their 2012 tour and re-recordings of pieces from Oliver and Gordon's past catalogue.
The new album features performances by the following well respected musicians.
Paul Manzi - vocals
Paul has performed with the Oliver Wakeman Band for the last 6 years (appearing on the live DVD 'Coming to Town') and is the current vocalist for the rock band Arena.
Steve Amadeo - Bass Guitar
Steve, an in demand Jazz/Blues/Rock session bass player, is currently performing with Blues guitarist Aynsley Lister.
Johanne James - Drums
Johanne has been the Threshold drummer for the last 12 years.
The album also features a special vocal appearance by Benoit David, Oliver's old band mate from Yes, on the track 'From the Turn of a Card' written by Oliver during the Yes recording sessions of 2010.
Many of the pieces were debuted and refined during their acoustic duo tour in September and October 2012 where they performed sell out concerts across the UK. The tour will resume in March 2013 to coincide with the release of the new album.
One of the most innovative acoustic guitarists in the UK today, Gordon Giltrap has developed his own unique style, much copied, but never bettered. It is impossible not to be awestruck as he coaxes incredible melodies from his instruments; you almost suspect a second pair of hands. He is well known for his varied musical output and 'Heartsong' (a hit single from the album 'Perilous Journey' in 1977) is instantly recognized as the theme for the BBC TV's long running 'Holiday' programme.
Following ten solo albums in a variety of styles, Oliver Wakeman joined the legendary band 'YES' in 2008, touring with them up until mid-2011. A live CD and triple vinyl release, 'In The Present - Live from Lyon', was a fitting bookend to his period in the band. He also worked with the folk rock band 'The Strawbs' and appeared on their last studio album as well as their 40th Anniversary CD release. Appearing in venues across North and South America, Europe and the UK with YES, Strawbs and as a solo artist, he has become a well respected live performing musician to add to his other talents as composer, songwriter, lyricist and producer.
Gordon says "Working with Oliver is like a breath of fresh air. I knew of his reputation as a fine musician, and it made perfect sense for me to tap into his creative energy, not only to bring out certain elements of my musical gifts but to create something new and exciting, at the same time giving a nod in the direction of our respective Progressive Rock roots"
Oliver adds, "After working with YES, the chance of working with another legendary artist was an opportunity too good to miss. I am having a wonderfully productive time working with Gordon and feel we are creating something genuinely unique in our 'Ravens & Lullabies' project."
Many of Gordon's fans have been asking for years when he is going to return to his rock roots and others wondered what Oliver would write after the Yes experiences...
In March 2013 they'll know...
There will be two different releases of the album. A standard single CD with the following 13 tracks
- Moneyfacturing
- Fiona's Smile
- From the Turn of a Card
- LJW
- Maybe Tomorrow
- Wherever There Was Beauty
- Is This the Last Song I Write?
- A Mayfair Kiss
- Anyone Can Fly
- A Perfect Day
- Credit Carnival
- One For Billie
- Ravens Will Fly Away
The 2CD signed limited edition will have a second CD featuring the following tracks
Live recordings taken from the 2012 tour:
- Nature's Way
- Isabella's Wedding
- Progress of the Soul
- On Camber Sands
- Lutey and the Mermaid
New studio recordings:
- Praeludium (from the Well Tempered Clavier)
- The Forgotten King
- Roots
CRS magazine
Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman
Ravens and Lullabies
Esoteric Antenna
Let me be truthful here. I expected to like this album. I expected to use words like "pleasant" to assess it, and to give it a decent review. Job done. What I didn't expect was to love it. But I do. Let me explain....
"Ravens and Lullabies" is the result of a recent collaboration between legendary troubadour Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman, most recently to be seen in Yes. Some of you may have seen their charming gig for the CRS at the Wesley Centre last year. It also marks Gordon's return to extensive electric playing, while Oliver mixes his excellent synth leads with some delicious piano.
It is, I realise, a cliche to say that he sounds like his Father, but here he really does channel Rick on several occasions. In fact, up temp opener "Moneyfacturing" is one of those, a powerful and classy statement of intent most definitely in the "rock" camp, with vocal by Oliver Wakeman Band
and Arena singer Paul Manzi. "Fiona's Smile" is more along the lines of what I was expecting with acoustic guitar and piano weaving around each other, before the infectious "From Turn of the Cards" sung by Oliver's former Yes cohort Benoit David. Hereon, the tracks pretty much alternate between the acoustic -mainly duos, although each man has a solo piece - and excellent songs recorded with rhythm section Steve Amadeo and Johanne James. On the quieter vocal tracks Manzi is deliciously and unusually restrained behind Gordon's sensitive finger picking and Oliver's well-judged keys. However, two full-band tracks stand out - the 10 minutes out-and-out prog of "Is this the Last Song I will write" and the shorter but no less impressive "Credit Carnival". Both pieces ought to surprise and delight, with Gordon blending acoustic and electric textures and Oliver contributing swirling organ and synth pyrotechnics.
And here's the thing. What might have been a tuneful and pleasant album has been transformed into something of genuine beauty and substance by real care over the quality of the material and the arrangements, and the undoubted enthusiasm of the two protagonists. Fans of the acoustic side of both men's past work will be kept happy, of course, but it is when the band kicks in that this album really flies, and it's particularly wonderful to hear Gordon unleash those trademark lead guitar lines as if it were 1978 all over again!
5* Review by Scott John Roberts on Amazon.co.uk Great album
This album has been well worth the wait.Right from the opening track "Moneyfacturing" to the closer "Ravens will fly away" it's a broad spectrum of virtuoso musicianship, great vocals and a superb rhythm section.This album should appeal not only to fans of Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman but should find a following of anyone who just likes well written and well performed acoustic/electric rock.
5* Review by RMD on Amazon.co.uk Electric Giltrap!
The year is 1978 and Gordon Giltrap with his own band, including a young Simon Phillips on drums, releases the highly acclaimed album "Fear of the Dark". The power of the opening track "Roots", intensity of "Fear of the Dark" and the soaring guitar solo on "Visitation" help to make this progressive rock album something very special. Fast forward to 2013 and we find Giltrap returning to his prog rock days, although this time the dynamic is somewhat different......
"Ravens and Lullabies" is a collaboration between Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman, the virtuoso keyboard player formerly of The Strawbs and Yes. Anyone fortunate enough to catch one of their live performances together in 2012 will already know how these two performers work VERY well together.
The first striking feature of the CD is the artwork, which is cleverly themed, well thought out and overall very impressive. Next, onto the music itself. Those familiar with Giltrap and Wakeman as solo artistes will know that their music can be very diverse; a solo Gordon Giltrap acoustic set can on one hand contain a reflective piece of music such as "Em's Tune", and then finish with the full-blooded power and intensity of "Lucifer's Cage". Well more of the same here too, as this 13 track CD consists of a collection of rock songs interspersed with lighter acoustic pieces. It opens with the excellent "Moneyfacturing", featuring the full band sound, followed by the reflective "Fiona's smile", an acoustic track which is already well-known to Giltrap fans. The contrasts continue all the way through the CD ,which reflects the "Ravens and lullabies" theme.
As you would expect from these two musicians, all of the material is strong in its own right whether individually or jointly written and certainly Wakeman's lyrics are meaningful, and I suspect somewhat personal. The playing too is top-notch - Wakeman equally impressive on synthesisers and piano, while the electric guitars of Giltrap are powerful and expressive, and may come as a surprise to those more familiar with his acoustic work. There is a worthy supporting cast too - vocals are provided by Paul Manzi (Arena) and Beniot David (Yes), with Steve Amadeo on bass. Special mention must go to Johanne James (Threshold) on drums, whose playing is always very robust and yet precise, and contributes much to every track he plays on. The album was recorded and mixed by "Threshold" guitarist Jarl Groom - good job done here too.
For me the highlights of the CD are "Moneyfacturing" and the EPIC "Is this the last song I write", although standards are high throughout and there are many instances of musical excellence, in fact too many to mention here.
For those lucky enough to purchase the limited edition package, the bonus CD includes live recordings from the Giltrap and Wakeman 2012 tour plus some new studio recordings. The live material is well-chosen and provides a good representation of those excellent gigs from last year, while the studio recordings include Wakeman's fine "The Forgotten King" and a stunning version of "Roots" from Giltrap's "Fear of the Dark" - fast rewind back to 1978!!!
Some might say that this was an ambitious project to undertake - after all, Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman are still relatively new to each other and it's a long time since Giltrap's prog rock days. Question is do they pull it off? Well in my opinion yes they do in fine style!
To conclude this well-crafted offering deserves recognition and success. Let's hope it marks the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership too! BUY IT!
5* Review by PiW on Amazon.co.uk Virtuosic piano, virtuosic guitar.
An album for people, who appreciate the highest class of virtuosic guitar and piano (you will love the instrumental compositions). The songs: intriguing vocals and melodies that sound in your ears long after the CD stopped playing. For those into the good, old progressive rock - some parts may remind you of YES and early Genesis (surprised?).
5* Review by Graham Sutherland on Amazon.co.uk What a fantastic collaboration!
An incredible collection of tracks. I am a long-time GG fan who still likes Fear of the Dark and Perilous Journey at full volume and this is most definitely a full volume album. That's not to say that there are not beautiful under-stated and low key tracks but there are melodies and songs that scream 'turn me up'. Moneyfacturing is a great opener and Ravens a luscious final song. Inbetween there is the glorious Wherever There Was Beauty and the maddeningly too short Anyone Can Fly featuring solo keyboard and guitar in an incredible last two minutes. If you get the bonus cd then you are in for more treats from some live and studio tracks. I guarantee you that if you like early GG you are going to love this. I'm new to OW but you just have to see this guy play to recognise talent. He writes some great tunes too! Buy it.
5* Review by alessandro64 on Amazon.com let "Ravens and Lullabies" take you to dreams....
I've received this ABSOLUTE pearl (which no-one should ever miss in his/her records collection) two days ago, and that day my journey through particular and magical emotions started. Being a Gordon's fan since 1976 I should regard myself a little bit unobjective, but the matter is that this is an absolute masterpiece of poetry. Imagine two extraordinary and highly talented musicians, capable to explore both side of your dreams and to show them as one...sweetness and rhythm, majesty and waving sounds, sheer ballads and imposing prog tracks...here for any taste! Like twins in spirit, Gordon and Oliver can take you higher, letting you go to follow everchanging atmospheres. When you touch the ground you'll want to rise up again. The same way two different kind of grapes join to form a King's Wine! Highly recommended....to have it ABSOLUTELY, better still! :-)
5* Review by SEA4 on Amazon.com Outstanding Debut Pairing!
This is the first time Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman have recorded an album together, but they each have an exceptional musical heritage that is put to great use here. Gordon's unique and brilliant guitar work and Oliver's masterful keboard playing complement each other perfectly. The main CD has many pieces worthy of mention including Turn of the Card, Maybe Tomorrow, Wherever there was Beauty, Anyone Can Fly and Fiona's Smile. The Bonus CD, that is included on the Limited Edition pack, is as strong as the main CD with Natures Way, Isabella's Wedding, On Camber Sands and outstanding arrangements of both Bach's Praeludium and Roots an earlier work by Gordon. Get the Limited Edition while you can!
