Album review: LEAH WAYBRIGHT – Dreamed
Invasion Merch [Release date 17.07.23]
One of the great things about GRTR! as we reflect on our twenty year lifespan is the eclectic nature of our brief. We don’t ever feel compelled to review the latest Jethro Tull or Yes album. Far more interesting might be those albums that appear from lesser known professionals who demand a wider audience. Admittedly some of this is very niche but, I have to say, very satisfying nevertheless.
‘Dreamed’ by piano player Leah Waybright is a case in point. It’s hardly rock, but an instrumental journey that is a melange of good taste, appealing themes and super playing. It’s her first album since 1999′s ‘Beauty Gone Wild’. In her defence she seems to be a very busy lady who also works as a floral artist/lecturer and wildflower conservationist.
Whilst Waybright’s compositional talents and classical training are evident, the journey is pastoral in feel. This is jazz pop chamber music if you will.
Gary Blu’s woodwinds (including sax, flute and clarinet) feature prominently underpinned by Waybright’s piano. At times it invokes a melodious early Van Der Graaf Generator (yes they can be) or Dutch progsters Focus but the music is always engaging.
In addition to Blu (who has worked with Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs), Waybright is joined by Happy The Man’s Stanley Whitaker (guitar) and Rick Kennell (bass, drums) and Trans-Siberian Orchestra violinist Mark Wood on ‘Sunwise’.
The album reminds me of when I raved about Rachel Flowers, another of those talented artists outside the mainstream but happily falling under the GRTR! gaze. ****
Review by David Randall
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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