Album review: OLIVER WAKEMAN – Anam Cara

Elflock Records/Spirit of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 10.05.24]

Oliver Wakeman is best known as part of a veritable keyboard dynasty but out of the fatherly shadow he has been steadily making solid albums on his own terms. The latest has apparently been brewing since the time he joined Yes in 2008.

‘Anam Cara’ (Soul Friend) is a story-driven album and mines the deep furrow of Celtic tinged progressive rock (as practised by Karnataka, Chasing The Monsoon, Iona and even Blackmore’s Night).

Taking lead vocals is one time vocalist with Karnataka, and also now with her own band, Hayley Griffiths. As in other projects Hayley brings her West End sheen (ex-Riverdance) to proceedings. For some her pure tones may be a tad overwhelming (as in a theatrical style delivery – listen to ‘Instead Of My Fear’) and in a sense the album becomes an exceptional vehicle for her skills.

Only a handful of pieces really hit the spot and all have a distinct air of familiarity. ‘Here In My Heart’ is followed by ’1000 Autumns’ although the chord sequence that underpins the latter sounds very familiar. ‘In The Moonlight’ and ‘Miss You Now’ (with echoes of ‘Hotel California’) are also engaging if derivative.

Musically, Wakeman adds nice embellishments but not particularly showy and seems happy to defer to his fellow musos. These include that Celtic Rock mainstay Troy Donockley whilst David Mark Pearce instils some angular guitar to ‘Marble Arch’. Again the chorus melody does sound familiar.

A pleasant if somewhat predictable album. And with those vocals perhaps an acquired taste for some. ***

Review by David Randall

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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)