Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman - Overture (The Hound Of The Baskervilles) | Текст песни

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THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

Track list: Overture (5.57); The Curse of the Baskervilles (6.14); Three Broken Threads (4.37); Shadows of Fate (7.01); At Home in the Mire (4.52); Run For Your Life (4.52); Picture of a Lady (3.41); The Argument (4.48); Second Light (2.00); Seldon (4.57); Death on the Moor (6.13); By Your Side (3.32); Waiting (5.29); Chasing the Hound (4.34).

When Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman released 'The Jabberwocky' early in 1999, there was already talk of a second collaborative album to follow, which would be based Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. Well, three years of waiting are finally over, and the hard work has certainly paid off, since 'The Hound' quickly reveals itself to be another superbly crafted offering.

The format used is broadly similar to that of 'Jabberwocky' with songs (and instrumentals) depicting key events from from the book, while continuity is provided through the skillful use of a narrator - read by the character of Dr. Watson. Despite the fact that the narrative can only provide a much simplified version of the story, it is nice to find that there are still some direct quotations from the original work which have survived the transition to this new format.

I should perhaps stress at this point that familiarity with the original story is not a prerequisite to enjoying this album - although I did find that reading the book enhanced the experience and clarified a few minor points, one of which was the naming of the track 'Three Broken Threads', the meaning of which would otherwise have passed me by completely! Since Conan Doyle's work is now available in the public domain you can download a copy free of charge from Project Guttenburg currently to be found here and I'd recommend checking it out!

The man chosen for the narrator's role is Robert Powell, who is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth in Zefferelli's film of the same name, and he proves to be perfect man for the job since his voice comes across with a clarity and sense of feeling that rally grips the listeners' attention. Interestingly this is not the first time RP has provided narration on a Wakeman CD, having previously featured on Rick Wakeman's 1983 release 'Cost of Living' album, where he gives an equally powerful and moving reading of Thomas Grey's poem 'Elegy from a Country Churchyard'.

In keeping with 'Jabberwocky', 'The Hound' also draws on a very impressive cast, many of who appeared on the earlier work. The main characters are portrayed by Bob Catley (Sir Henry Baskerville), Tracey Hitchings (Beryl Stapleton), Paul Allison (Stapleton), and Ashley Holt (Doctor Mortimer), while the minor parts are played by Ian 'Moon' Gould (Seldon) and Michelle Young (Laura Lyons). Credits show that some backing vocals are also provided by Paul Wrightson the ex-Arena frontsman. An equally impressive cast of musicians appear on the album too, including Tony Fernandez (drums), Peter Gee and John Jowitt (bass), Karl Groom, Arjen Lucassen and Peter Banks (guitars), Jo Greenland (violin) and Eve Albering (flute).

The album begins with 'The Overture' where the powerful sense of drama, the constantly changing moods and the rich use of different keyboard textures, all unite to give a strong and favourable first impression - and set the tone for what is to follow. In addition to some first rate keyboard work, the use of violin played by Jo Greenland (who features on Oliver's solo album '3 Ages of Magick') provides a very nice touch.

While it's not my intention to single out any one performer as being better than the others, I must say I found Bob Catley's contribution to this album to be outstanding. The first time we hear him on the album is on 'Shadows of Fate' and the singing and depth of feeling here is of the very highest standard - as one would expect from such a veteran. Catley

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