Wilson & Wakeman: The Sun Will Dance In Its Twilight Hour

When the front man of Threshold, [Headspace], Rick Wakeman and more teamed up with Rick's son and Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath and Snakcharmer keyboard player Adam Wakeman, the prog community held its breath in anticipation of a roaring keyboard heavy workout. However when Weir Keeper's Tale arrived in 2016, the acoustic guitar and piano led fare reminded much more of Wilson's underrated solo endeavours than it did any of the other acts the duo have worked with. The surprise was well received, and now the pair are back with The Sun Will Dance In Its Twilight Hour, an album full of intimate, personal tales that weave some wonderful stories and highlight in the smallest of ways the biggest emotions that make up life.

Do I need to tell you that Wilson is in fine voice and that Wakeman is a piano master? Well, if I do, rest assured that they are, but then they also display less celebrated talents on acoustic guitar and in truth it is this aspect that carries the album to success. In ways listening to Wilson mourn the loss of a pair of "Red Socks" as a five year old feels almost intrusive, but he's talking about a wider loss of love in a most personal way and one that causes you to listen and engage as this fragile, tender song plays out. "Better Than That" brings a full acoustic band into focus, the more upbeat tempo making the more positively reassuring lyric hit home. Whereas, the tenderness with which Wilson tells of lives shared or separated by mutual consent, whether through agreement of compromise or consensus that compromise is no longer the way forward, means "Laugh In Time" will strike a cord with many in its frank, honest appraisal of relationships.

With no liner notes I can only presume that it's the lower register of Wakeman taking on lead vocal duties on "On This Battlefield", where an acoustic lilt is punctuated by cello. The results are surprisingly, dare I say it, rather Ed Sheeran like, but with more authority brought into play here, the appeal is a whole lot easier to fathom. Cello also takes a strong role on the more forceful "Blackpool Clip Joint Racket", where Adam evokes his father's poise on piano and Wilson tells another story where imagery reveals many inner meanings to ponder.

Through its fragility and tender approach, The Sun Will Dance In Its Twilight Hour isn't an album for all occasions. However, when you're in the mood for something more reserved and thought provoking than most releases out there, this poised and passionate collection of songs will prove remarkably rewarding.

Track Listing
1. The Last American Hero
2. On This Battlefield
3. Always The Lonely One
4. Blackpool Clip Joint Racket
5. Laugh In Time
6. Better Than That
7. Red Socks
8. Shining A Light On A Miracle
9. Tried And Tested
10. The Sun Will Dance In Its Twilight Hour

Added: February 18th 2018
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Wilson & Wakeman
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Language: english

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