Darryl Way
Myths, Legends and Tales
Cherry Red
2016
Darryl Way is a co-founder of Curved Air, trail blazing rock violinist and composer. He’s classically trained and has even written his own opera, which was debuted in 96 at the Palace Theater in London. He’s been active in the scene since the early 70s and even has done a session on a couple of songs on Jethro Tull’s “Heavy Horses” as a violinist (he also plays keyboards)…
With almost 10 solo releases this one inclusive, “Myths, Legends and Tales” is his latest prog rock inspired entry, drawing inspiration from some of the mythologies (both ancient and present day) that have appealed to him. A lot of them including all the instrumentals, draw heavily from the marvelous and varied world of Greek Mythology, rich in music and sophistication with other songs are a mixture of observations about the world we live in and stories and events that have been inspirational.
Opener “Apollo (Racing Against The Sun)” is a weird but quite interesting opener that initially has some rhythmical patterns reminiscent of Toto’s “Mushanga” played at twice the speed, but very soon diversifies itself in a multitude of a ways, with truly cinematic qualities and inspired violin crescendos a plenty before it jazzes down to come full circle, followed by “Orpheus and the Underworld”, a far heavier and gloomier piece (instrumental mind you), with eerie and more classical inspired sad violin melodies, which come a lot more in focus.
“Whatever Happened?” is a reflective look on the state of affairs today and it’s more reserved, sounding a bit like prog-pop of the 80s, with small pizzicatos.
“Dove of Peace” is similar but a little “funkier”(?), if you could say that… and decidedly more 70s in flavor.
“Strange Goings On” gets the funk out and substitutes it with sorrowful oneiric keys, while maintaining the 70s prog flavor.
“Aphrodite” is another instrumental, slower and expectedly more sensual, like the goddess it’s named after.
“The Ice Man” is a colder, more removed, quite sad piece that sounds a bit like mellower Asia, I guess.
While, “Crusader” has a movie-worthy theme, but keeps on being quite measured, despite the epic violin runs. To be honest, it does get a bit of an epic Celtic flavored conclusion, before it fades out…
“Helter Skelter”, is not a Beatles cover, but a quite quirky big band styled number that’s quite unique in the context of the album and is then followed by an almost instrumental (bar a spoken verse) piece, namely “Prometheus Chained”, a really epic and tumulus number that just doesn’t feel quite right tacked after it…
All in all, a nice collection of songs that might appeal to Carved Air fans as well as any prog rock lovers out there about, but takes a few listens to completely appreciate.
With almost 10 solo releases this one inclusive, “Myths, Legends and Tales” is his latest prog rock inspired entry, drawing inspiration from some of the mythologies (both ancient and present day) that have appealed to him. A lot of them including all the instrumentals, draw heavily from the marvelous and varied world of Greek Mythology, rich in music and sophistication with other songs are a mixture of observations about the world we live in and stories and events that have been inspirational.
Opener “Apollo (Racing Against The Sun)” is a weird but quite interesting opener that initially has some rhythmical patterns reminiscent of Toto’s “Mushanga” played at twice the speed, but very soon diversifies itself in a multitude of a ways, with truly cinematic qualities and inspired violin crescendos a plenty before it jazzes down to come full circle, followed by “Orpheus and the Underworld”, a far heavier and gloomier piece (instrumental mind you), with eerie and more classical inspired sad violin melodies, which come a lot more in focus.
“Whatever Happened?” is a reflective look on the state of affairs today and it’s more reserved, sounding a bit like prog-pop of the 80s, with small pizzicatos.
“Dove of Peace” is similar but a little “funkier”(?), if you could say that… and decidedly more 70s in flavor.
“Strange Goings On” gets the funk out and substitutes it with sorrowful oneiric keys, while maintaining the 70s prog flavor.
“Aphrodite” is another instrumental, slower and expectedly more sensual, like the goddess it’s named after.
“The Ice Man” is a colder, more removed, quite sad piece that sounds a bit like mellower Asia, I guess.
While, “Crusader” has a movie-worthy theme, but keeps on being quite measured, despite the epic violin runs. To be honest, it does get a bit of an epic Celtic flavored conclusion, before it fades out…
“Helter Skelter”, is not a Beatles cover, but a quite quirky big band styled number that’s quite unique in the context of the album and is then followed by an almost instrumental (bar a spoken verse) piece, namely “Prometheus Chained”, a really epic and tumulus number that just doesn’t feel quite right tacked after it…
All in all, a nice collection of songs that might appeal to Carved Air fans as well as any prog rock lovers out there about, but takes a few listens to completely appreciate.