Search - Gordon Giltrap :: Peacock Party

A fantastic journey to the realm of symphonic rock

lucas biela | Combs-la-Ville, FRANCE | 12/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like very much this album. It's probably the most ambitious effort from G. Giltrap. The simple reason why I enjoy listening to the music on this CD is that arrangements are lush and it seems clear that the musicians get a real kick out of playing that stuff. What convinced me to purchase this CD is the presence of monster drummer Ian Mosley (Steve Hackett, Marillion), which I consider as one of the most gifted drummers on the 'prog' scene. The musicianship is simply astounding on this album, the music ranging from classical to progressive rock and folk music.There are some sections that remind me of Gryphon thanks to the beautiful playing of Richard Harvey. The saxophone parts are sublime. The music is never boring, and to my mind that's the way symphonic prog music or canterbury (a style of music that blends jazz and british influences and to which the peacock party is very close, think about the band 'Happy The Man') should always sound. It's not too complex (as are Henry Cow, Anglagard, which are groups highly regarded in the prog family but which to my mind are BORING and ANNOYING) and not too simple,just very enjoyable music that anyone from any age can listen to.However I must admit that one of the three bonus tracks ('smiler') should not have been included on the reissue, as it sounds too much 'poppy'. In fact, the whole album consists of tracks that form a 'concept album', the closing track of the original album ('dodo's dream') taking back a motif of the first one ('headwind'). The alternate version of 'headwind' provides a beautiful saxophone section and is more energetic, leaning towards hard-rock. So, this is instrumental, symphonic, progressive rock at its highest level, and I know what I say, as a fanatic of progressive music. Overall, it's highly recommended to all Jethro Tull, Anthony Phillips and Happy The Man fans. Gordon Giltrap is a very gifted artist and he deserves to be listened to. The peacock party is the best way to discover how much Gordon is a sensitive musician. I hope you'll be as impressed as I was when I first listened to The peacock's music. Play it loud and make it discover to those who don't know it."