From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 27 May 2012 11:18
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Jake Wilson -
All's Well CD
Attachments: Jake_Wilson_-_All's_Well.jpg
JAKE WILSON - All's Well (Jake
Wilson Music JWM001)
The ironic title will not be
lost on anyone who recollects the front cover photo of the ill fated Scott
Expedition. On this recording Jake explores the possible thought process that
was going on in the minds of Edgar Evans, Lawrence Oates, Edward Wilson, Henry
Bowers and Robert Falcon Scott as they are nearing their inevitable deaths. An
imaginatively constructed suite of pieces, the bleakness conveyed by the chord
structures is suitably chilling but at all times shows the passion and
strengths of each character. With consummate skill, Wilson's impeccable guitar
work featuring techniques such as hammer-ons and glissando slides lends
strength to the subject matter and buoyed by the fascinating ?boys own' style
story really makes you listen and care for each character. It is obvious from
the painstakingly researched manuscripts that this album is a labour of love
and much like Dave Swarbrick (who is also credited as ?live recorder' of the
project) whose assiduousness in overseeing his own Babbacombe Lee story creates
a riveting ?listen'. This is an achingly artistic (though never starchy)
recording that were it a photo of the expedition would rightfully take its
place alongside those featured in a major exhibition. This is an interesting
and disquietingly unique piece of solo ?folk-opera' that I hope finds a target
audience. Finally and I don't know why but Jake's vocal performance sounds
reminiscent of those featured in the film The Wicker Man performed by Paul
Giovanni and a very understated performance it is too. This is an album well
worth the investment of your time and a few shekels. www.jakewilsonmusic.com
PETE FYFE