From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 08 May 2012 12:17
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Reid &
Van Sante - John Paul Jones
Attachments: Reid & Van Sante -
John Paul Jones.jpg
ALAN REID & ROB VAN SANTE -
The Adventures Of John Paul Jones (Red Sands Music RSCD003)
No?not that John Paul Jones?the
harmonica playing bluesman (!) but this one is, in nautical terms at least a
legend none the less. His omnipresent personality was later to become
established as ?The Father Of The American Navy' and although an exalted
position, how did this gardener's son from Scotland (a bit
like Peter Sellers character Chauncey Gardiner in ?Being There' perhaps?) gain
such an enviable and at times despised reputation? Well, that dear reader is
established from this historical though not over scholarly document that was
obviously a labour of love for Reid. To write a whole album's worth (15 tracks)
of material collaboratively with Rob Van Sante joined by various guest
musicians based on one character might be regarded as a vanity project but I
assure you, if you come along for the ride you'll be justly rewarded. Much like
Vladimir Cosma's evocative musical score for the 1978 TV series "Kidnapped"
Reid weaves an almost magical spell conjuring visions of brooding Scottish
vista's whilst just as easily slipping into a sense of joviality on the track
"Landlord" and in my own way (envisaging film clips) I latch onto certain
aspects of the storylines to propel the action forward. I can't think of any
better way to capture the mood of the piece other than by utilising
predominantly ?acoustic' instrumentation including guitar, mandolin, viola,
banjo, cello but could I be controversial in suggesting the lads put the lyrics
on a page on their website along with a few background notes. I've always
believed in the use of ?folk opera' such as Fairport's "Babbacombe Lee" and
Elecampagne's "Adventures Of Mr Punch" to tutor the general public without being
too heavy handed and if this recording is anything to go by it will sit very
comfortably within that genre. www.reidvansante.com
PETE FYFE