Colyer, Andrew: Mists Of Time

Keyboardist Andrew Colyer has made quite the name for himself having performed and recorded with a number of notable artists including The Tubes, Jon Anderson, Robert Berry (touring band), Ambrosia, Tony Banks and many others. He is also a member of the progressive/jazz rock band Circuline, a band I have enjoyed the past few years. Colyer has an impressive pedigree, studying at the Juilliard School of Music to go along with a substantial body of work.

His new solo album is titled Mists Of Time, and with such a title one can imagine a dreamy and wistful experience and that is exactly what you get. The music is quite far removed from that of his main band. This is meant as an observation and not a critique. The album is mostly Colyer’s solo piano, keyboards and the occasional guitar and drum and is a combination of written and improvised tracks beginning with “Rain Notes: Storm� where an intro guitarscape sets the mood. “Oliver’s Journey� is an ambient solo piano piece where Colyer’s playing is both introspective and highly impressive. “In Alex’s Orbit� is more melancholic with a beautifully poignant piano melody while “Rain Notes: Forest� is more darkly textured and very atmospheric. The longest track is “Ghosts of Aberfan�, recounting the 1966 coal mining disaster in Aberfan, Wales where 144 people died. Given the subject matter the track is expectantly poignant and sad yet quite beautiful as Colyer’s solo piano traverses gently meandering soundscapes with unmitigated elegance.

If you enjoy the ambient side of the keyboard/piano world and appreciate exquisite playing and melodies Mists Of Time will be worth investigating.

Track Listing:
1. Rain Notes: Storm (2:05)
2. Oliver’s Journey (5:12)
3. In Alex’s Orbit (3:49)
4. Climb (3:21)
5. Strings of the Ocean (4:02)
6. One Thing (Remastered 2020) (4:10)
7. Rain Notes: Forest (2:10)
8. A Thoughtful Moment (2:10)
9. Ghosts of Aberfan (8:28)
10. Moons of Jupiter (3:51)
11. Overcoming (3:00)
12. Serenity (4:48)

Added: July 12th 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 599
Language: english

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