Dave Bainbridge – “To the Far Away”

Dave Bainbridge, co-founder of Iona, released his latest solo work on November 23rd, To the Far Away. Bainbridge, toured the world and released 13 critically acclaimed albums. His multi-faceted career as a solo artist, keyboardist, guitarist,  bouzouki player, composer, improviser, producer, arranger and sound mixer has led him into many musical genres. To the Far Away draws on spiritual music and Bainbridge’s Celtic, progressive, rock, folk and classical influences. Bainbridge has released three solo albums. Veil of Gossamer (2004); Celestial Fire (2014); and The Remembering (2016).

Joining Bainbridge, on this magical voyage are: Sally Minnear, on vocals; Iain Hornal, on vocals; Troy Donockley, on high and low whistles, Uilleann pipes, and Cumbrian Voices; Frank van Essen, on drums, solo violin, ensemble violins and violas; Jon Poole, on fretted and fretless bass guitars; Jonas Pap, on cello; Nigel Cameron, on whistles; Julie Cameron-Hall, on violin, and Martin Nolan, on whistles.

To the Far Away, opens with “Sea Gazer”, full of the sound of the ocean’s waves, before Sally Minnear’s siren voice can be heard amongst the guitar and keyboard soundscape. A lovely opening indeed. The electric guitar work gets more profound as percussion joins in to chime the arrival of the mist surrounding. Later, Iain Hornal, joins her on vocals Minnear returns to sing, “Tides taking the path of the Moon. Earth is turning beneath my feet. I feel a call to far distance shores. Somewhere the Sun and the stars will be. Waves roll. World turns. Clouds pass. Stars burn. Sky longs to touch the sea. Is there somewhere out there longing for me?”  Who isn’t a sea gazer? We all are, for it is where we emanate from, being made up of mostly water. Off to an excellent start. This would be a great show opener, if Dave takes the album out on the road.

“Girl and the Magical Sky”, is a wonderful Celtic tale of mystery, filled with Minnear’s vocals. Renaissance faire sounds and feeling on the opening of this one, complete with flutes, pipes and stringed instrumentation. Until, those almost pipe organ sounds percolate with wired electric guitar and drums, and percussion flowing on. A powerful onslaught of overwhelming musicianship. Then, it settles down to pipes, acoustic guitar and deep piano. All the while, Minnear’s vocals keep perfect pace, with the story unfolding before us on the long-forested road. My mind returns to the famous lines from a long-cherished Zeppelin classic, “And as we wind on down the road. There walks a lady we all know. Who shines white light and wants to show? How everything still turns to gold”. Yes, indeed.

“Rain and Sun”, is a beautiful instrumental full of lead electric guitar, piano, keyboards, strings, bass and cello. A beautiful “Middle Erath”, like song that I could listen to forever.

“Clear Skies”, almost sounds as powerful as some of the music I remember from my early Moody Blues albums. So profound and well-orchestrated. Then, the heavy electric guitars and pipes join in with the drums, bass and percussion. Majestic, and then Minnear’s vocals return, shadowed by brilliant piano chords and pipes. The orchestration also returns to drive home the melody. Later, some phenomenal, Tony Banks’- like keyboards will almost bring tears to your eyes.

“Ghost Light”, opens with far off sounds of guitar with orchestration cinematically surrounding. Then, deep drums and cymbals. A magnificent guitar salute that would make even Kitaro turn his head. Minnear returns to sing, “We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams”. This song has the best lyrics on the album, so far. A kind of Pink Floyd, “Eclipse” lyrical unravelling. You remember,  “All that you touch. And all that you see. All that you taste. All you feel”. Only this time it is set to an early Genesis kind of melody. This song speaks of how we are letting the Earth go to waste. But then the important message comes at the midway point, “Glory that shines through us. God’s children waiting. True light will come”. Excellent. Message delivered, the rest is an instrumental masterpiece filled with pipes and whistles, some excellent power drumming, piano, and electric guitar. The ghost light heralds the time we will all meet…in the afterlife, the Second Coming or Resurrection.

“Cathedral Thinkers”, opens with keyboards and bold guitar. Later some magnificent piano work that immediately took me back to some of my favorite Lamb Lies Down of Broadway memories.

“To Gain the Ocean”, is a showcase for Iain Hornal’s vocals, with piano, pipes and whistles, pace-setting bass, keyboards and orchestration, and perfectly placed drum beats. Another of my album favorites.

“As Night Falls”, opens with a growling lead electric guitar solo. A wonderful instrumental.

“Infinitude, (Region of the Stars)”, opens with violin and string solos, backed by cello and orchestration. A warm and cinematic voyage into the darkness of space. Then, the siren sound of Minnear’s cries. Simply poetic beauty. A symphonic masterpiece, like something out of an Oscar – winning movie drama.

The title track, “To The Far Away”, opens with powerful drum beats, strings and bass. Electric lead guitar builds momentum and the melody. Another great instrumental blast.

“Speed Your Journey”, opens with geese, whistles and pipes, with orchestration softly playing in the background. Then Keith Emerson-like keyboards, before the whole band joins in. Minnear returns to sing, “Set your course to the mid-day sun”.

“Fells Point”, is another great instrumental full of some fantastic guitar soloing. A revved-up jig – like instrumental.

“Something Astonishing”, opens like a soft Genesis song with cool acoustic guitar and orchestration, with whistles. Then, those regal lead guitar riffs and keyboards flowing like flags in the wind. Yes, something astonishing. Waves of the ocean close the album peacefully and perfectly.

To the Far Away, is a wonderful journey of the mind, full of captivating music throughout. This album is one of the best albums of 2021. It is definitely in the top ten progressive rock albums of the year. With Dave Bainbridge’s years of experience making great music with Iona and on his own solo work, I knew this would be one of the best albums of the year, and it definitely lived up to and exceeded every expectation. Please get this album, relax and enjoy the journey. Every song is captivating and full of the kind of music that made Iona famous.

 Track List:

1. Sea Gazer
2. Girl and the Magical Sky
3. Rain and Sun
4. Clear Skies
5. Ghost Light
6. Cathedral Thinkers
7. To Gain the Ocean
8. As Night Falls
9. Infinitude (Region of the Stars)
10. To The Far Away
11. Speed Your Journey
12. Fells Point
13. Something Astonishing

https://www.davebainbridgemusic.com/