Clive Nolan, the leader of the band Arena, keyboardist and composer of symphonies, has returned to present his latest masterpiece, Song of the Wildlands, which will be released on September 1, 2021.This album is a telling of the famous Nordic tale of Beowulf. I completely enjoyed Nolan’s last storied presentation of Egypt – Caamora, and immediately had an interest in this famous tale Nolan was presenting with well known musical talent and vocalists.
As usual, Nolan stretched for as true a version of the tale as possible, including, the lyrics, which were written in Anglo-Saxon, translated “by a historical consultant specializing in the culture of medieval England, Christopher Monk”. Nolan included a 200-voice choir, assembled from around the globe, to sing in Anglo-Saxon; and he recorded all over the world during the lockdown, in the spring of 2020. Imagine that! While we were all shuttering at home to avoid Covid-19, Nolan and these performers and musicians were working on this epic composition.
Joining Clive Nolan, who programmed all orchestration, composed the entire album, played keyboards, and handled all programming, are the following talent: Vicki Swan, on nyckelharpa; Mark Westwood, on electric guitar; Stig Andre Clason, on acoustic guitar; Arnfinn Isaksen, on bass guitar; Scott Higham, on drums, Geir Johansen, on extra percussion, Birgette Njå, on lur; Morten Clason, on flute; and Ross Andrew, who performs narration.
The characters of this masterpiece include the voices of: Ryan Morgan as Beowulf; Christine Booth, as Tyra; Gemma Ashley, as Solveig; Natalie Barnett, as Freja; the Ensemble Anonym, provides the plainchant; and “The Wildland Warriors Choir”, provides support throughout.
The album will be released by the Norwegian label Crime Records with the collaboration of We Låve Rock Music. The Earbook is a vinyl-size hardback book containing four discs: CD 1: The original album “Song of the Wildlands”. CD 2: Special Instrumental version of “Song of the Wildlands”, plus bonus: The Narration performed by Ross Andrews. DVD/Blu-ray: The Making of “Song of the Wildlands” – Feature Documentary by Neil Monaghan. Inside the book, you will find the amazing artwork by David Wyatt, photographs, English and Old-English lyrics, and numerous details about the project.
Everything about this album is worth your time and investment. It is a spectacular rendition of the story, set to music. The story is well laid out from beginning to end, without the multiple character interaction we witnessed in Caamora, That must have been a bridge too far to administer in a time of pandemic.
These stories are important to our everlasting culture, folklore and history. To imagine these stories have passed through many ages and now have made it into another century is incredible. Their ability to transport us to another age and allow us to dream and imagine what life might have been like, is a nice diversion from everyday living.
Please pick up Song of the Wildlands, put on some headphones and enjoy the story and the music.
Track List:
- The Story Begins – 3:06
- There’s A Threat – 4:54
- Crossing the Ocean – 4:29
- Beowulf’s Promise – 3:24
- Grendel Attacks – 4:22
- Celebration – 2:15
- The Hag’s Revenge – 2:50
- Journey – 3:18
- Underwater Cavern – 3:51
- Rewards – 6:08
- Beowulf the King – 4:01
- Dragon Fire – 4:59
- The Warrior Dies – 2:43
- Funeral Pyre – 5:16
- The Story Ends – 1:39
https://crimerecords.no/releases/2021/clive-nolan-song-of-the-wildlands