Album review: DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING – October Is Marigold

DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING - October Is Marigold

Noisy Records [Release date 03.12.21]

David Cross releases fine instrumental music via his own Noisy Records imprint.

Cross was with King Crimson in the 1970s whilst Keeling has scored new versions of the band’s repertoire. You’d expect that their music might be a tad intricate or intense.

The jazz/classical inflections of this disc do veer towards the cerebral rather than the catchy. Casual listeners will still find something to interest them.

The third volume in a series of ‘Electric Chamber Music’ the best moments are when Cross’ sometimes processed violin soars with Keeling’s flute.

The title track is like an outtake from ‘Inspector Morse’ and is the most accessible.

‘Ever Nearer’ even evokes prime time Vaughan Williams before Cross ramps things up whilst Keeling does his best Tull impression. ‘The Spiking Darts That Were Trees’ is characterised by aleatoric effects and a sense of foreboding.

Overall this is reflective music but uplifting and moving in its own way and utilising field recordings to conjure up an autumnal landscape. The improvisational nature of the proceedings produces an album that flows freely but with not many repeat phrases to get your teeth into. However, discipline is maintained throughout by the musicians’ evident good taste and experience. ***

Review by David Randall

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)