Trinity is a 'decades in the making' album from world renowned artist Rodney Matthews, who just happens to also play drums and has long had a dream of making his own prog-rock album. Many musicians & vocalists have jumped on board the project over the years, and the finished results are finally here on Trinity, an album inspired by the many works of art Matthews has created over the years, his longtime friend, guitarist Jeff Scheetz, helping to assemble things along the way. The complete line-up for Trinity includes:
Rodney Matthews - Drums, Lyrics and Words
Jeff Scheetz - Guitars and Bass
Oliver Wakeman - Keyboards
John Payne - Bass and Vocals
Pete Coleman - Bagpipes, Recorders and Keyboards
Tony Clarkin - Bass
Steve Amadeo - Bass
Rick Wakeman - Harpsichord and Church Organ
Bob Catley - Hand Claps/Vocals
Charles McNeal - Alto Sax
Sarah Prothero - Vocals
Mark A. Williams - Narration
Of course, a few notable names on that list, including current & former members of acts such as Yes, Asia, Magnum, and others, giving plenty of credibility to this project. Things kick off in heavy prog fashion with "The Heavy Metal Hero", crunchy arrangements bolstered by Scheetz's massive guitar firepower, and that's followed by the melodic prog rocker "Mirador", complete with plenty of of keyboard orchestrations, emotional vocals, and a sizzling guitar solo. "The Granite Curtain" blends old school '70s prog with classy jazz, McNeal's tasty sax solo dropped in between grandiose Wakeman keyboard tapestries and powerful rhythms, Scheetz again impressing with a wild, wah-wah soaked guitar solo. "Night on the Bare Mountain" packs plenty of bombast, the guitar & keys battling for supremacy, while "November Wedding" offers up grandiose melodies led by Wakeman's enchanting & nimble piano as well as some bluesy Scheetz guitar solos. The musicians go for a darker feel on "Stop the Slaughter", where heavier guitar riffs saddle up alongside wispy synth flutters, and "The Leavetaking" mixes classical, World Music, Celtic, and prog themes for a majestic ride. Perhaps the most enchanting song here is "The Hop", a rousing Celtic flavored jig with some engaging recorder, guitar, and keyboard passages that is an absolute joy to listen to, Oliver Wakeman again coming up big with some splendid synth explorations. "Rivendell" brings to mind legendary prog act Gentle Giant with its use of counterpoint, synths, organ, piano, guitar, and recorder all weaving and twisting around each other as Matthews & Payne keep the rhythms pumping yet locked in. A gem of a track. Closing out the show is the grandiose title track, Scheetz laying down bursts of scorching guitar over symphonic arrangements, poppa Wakeman blending in some stupendous harpsichord & church organ while son Oliver dresses it all up with tasty synth embellishments & solos.
As great as the music here is, equally as exciting is sitting down with the booklet and looking at the paintings that inspired each song, and reading Rodney's history of the art and how the music was born from each. Make sure you check out either the CD or LP version of Trinity folks, otherwise you will miss out on that very important aspect of this release. An impressive album, and a job well done from everyone involved!
Track Listing
1 The Heavy Metal Hero 05.00
2 Mirador 08.47
3 The Granite Curtain 05.55
4 Night on the Bare Mountain 05.54
5 November Wedding 03.47
6 Stop the Slaughter 05.31
7 The Leavetaking 04.05
8 The Hop 04.27
9 Rivendell 05.52
10 Trinity 07.42
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