After the release of ‘Giltrap’ in 1973, Gordon decided that he needed to pursue a different musical path, and inspired by the William Blake he decided to go instrumental and create something that was quite different to the rest of the popular music scene. People often believe that he may have been influenced by Mike Oldfield, but although he was area of him his main influences were Vangelis and Tomita, as well as the guitarists John Williams, Julian Bream, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Pete Townshend. The main focus of the album would be Gordon’s acoustic guitar, and he was aided and abetted by a young Simon Phillips on drums, John G. Perry on bass and Rod Edwards on piano (plus additional guests). The result was something that was quite different for the time, and to be honest more than stands the passing of time some 37 years later!
I have long been a fan of Gordon’s, and have long held the belief that everyone should have ‘Elegy’ in their collection, and this is the beginning of the journey, the first of his albums that put him on the path of moving forward with acoustic classical guitar as the main instrument, bringing in progressive and folk elements as required. Hackett has of course also followed the path with some of his solo material, but he is he follower while Gordon was very much at the vanguard. He seems equally at home just playing solo, or double tracking against himself, with a full orchestra or with a band, and the additional bonus songs (all recorded around the period of release) definitely add to the view of the musician as a whole.
When this CD arrived in the post it was immediately put onto my iPod and I often played it late at night before going to sleep, as it is restful and exciting, vibrant and dynamic, and everything that good music should be.
