Spirits Burning, the long running space/prog rock collective marshalled by Don Falcone, team up with former Hawkwind vocalist Bridget Wishart and release the album Fragments.
Bridget has been working with Spirits Burning for over two decades and Fragments is their fourth full album together.
I thank Don for sending a review copy to me.
Over the course of the album we have everything which is required for a spacey, proggy, hypnotic listen.
All sorts of chugging, driving rhythms, swirling spacey synths and keys creating the atmosphere and all around general trippiness.
Bridget’s slightly mystical vocals are generally more spoken than sung, which fits well with the style of the album. And on the final three tracks she goes into full Gilli Smyth mode with the spoken word over the mystical rhythms.
Nature Order is an engaging opener then the trippy journey begins and draws you in.
The Door has a weird feel about it with the noodling guitar in the background and it goes sort of jazzy later on. Then we have the brief quirky spoken Sombre which completes the “Nature Suite.”
To pick out some of the rest – The seven minute stretch of Dark Eyes chugs along powerfully. Tides builds up working to a middle/end section which reminds me of Van Der Graaf Generator (no bad thing), Fragments is chilled out and those three spoken word tracks close things out.
It did take me a few good spins for the sometimes complex soundscapes to sink in. There is depth to the compositions with plenty going on and each listen revealing more.
Have a listen to Nature Order:
If you’re familiar with what Don does with Spirits Burning you’ll know what to expect and will not be disappointed.
On the other hand, if you’re not familiar with Spirits Burning though do enjoy classic 1970s Gong, Steve Hillage or Hawkwind type material, you will not be disappointed either.
The media sheet which Don included states that Fragments is: “a unique and intriguing collection of linked songs, tales, fragments, and readings.” I’d agree with that.
If you’re here in the UK, here is Fragments on Amazon (physical and digital versions):
https://amzn.to/4f6sYvd
Or if you prefer (or perhaps not in the UK), there’s the Spirits Burning BandCamp page:
https://spiritsburning.bandcamp.com/album/fragments
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