Sky Cries Mary – Wandering in the Vastness (Trail Records, 2022)
“Wandering in the Vastness” is the 13th studio album from acclaimed Seattle psychedelic rock band, Sky Cries Mary. The group is known for playing psychedelic music inspired by late 1960s, early 1970s bands, and trippy progressive rock as well.
Sky Cries Mary’s members managed to collaborate in spite of the restrictions in place during lockdowns and social distance measures. Indeed, the musicians wrote and collaborated from studios in Seattle, New York, Chattanooga, and other locations.
“Wandering in the Vastness” features spellbinding dual male and female vocals plus other voices and effects intertwined with mesmerizing psychedelic guitars, mystical sitars, vintage electric organ, and trancy electronics.
“I write from a lot of different instruments”, says founding member Ben Ireland, “The pandemic gave us a lot of time to focus and expand our musicianship. Members were definitely encouraged to take risks!”
Sky Cries Mary founder, lead vocalist and songwriter Roderick Wolgamott (also known as Roderick Romero) gets his inspiration from spiritual and metaphysical sources. “Sometimes my lyrics emerge from weird dreams, imaginings, and sometimes they come from waking life!“ remembers Wolgamott. He adds that Debra Reese (who joined the band in 2017), “is the vocal personification of female animus and astral plane energy in my storytelling!”
The lineup includes: Roderick Wolgamott on lead vocals; Ben Ireland on acoustic piano, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, tabla, tambourine, gong, maracas, Mellotron, organ, synthesizers, finger cymbals and drums; Jack Endino on guitar, e-bow, programmed drums, drum set; Kevin Whitworth on guitar, bass, organ, synthesizers, and percussion; Curt Eckman on bass, keyboards; and Debra Reese on vocals, synthesizers, wooden flute and percussion.