Journeyman’s Progress is the debut solo album from guitarist and songwriter Steve Anderson. A founding member of melodic rock band, The Room; also, a long-time member of progressive rock band, Grey Lady Down, and jazz-rock fusionists, Sphere.
This is a great start for Steve Anderson as a solo artist, or solo project. It opens with a brilliant solo guitar song that just captures your ears immediately – “Solus”.
Then Steve rocks you with a progressive – like track “Coda”, full of great guitar and stellar keyboards. Then more keys are piled on this progressive instrumental song, creating even more magic. The music is interesting and original.
“A Glimpse of Light”, is an instrumental version of the title name. It is bright with the color of electric guitar and keyboards.
“Hellebore”, is a song for the beautiful plant that also bears its name.
“Circlet”, has a wonderful pattern of guitar that sounds so good, you will want to play it more than twice.
“Mr. Mekano”, is definitely a skilled craftsman, and mechanic. You can hear his pounding, drilling and creating throughout the track. The bell-like keys that follow the percussion are wonderful. As is the keyboards and guitar-work. The strings are a welcomed sound later in the track. Mid-way through the song picks up its pace and delivers some heavier guitar and interesting keyboard and atmospheric sounds. At times it even reminds me of prog wizards The Watch, from Italy. My favorite track, for sure.
“Descent”, opens with atmospherics and then what sounds like a deep, dark descent on guitar. Surrounding eeriness and moody sounds conjure a walk into darkness.
“For Nancy”, is a soft guitar song, which sounds a little like something Steve Hackett might play.
“Glass Quartet”, opens with some more cool percussion and electric atmospherics. The rest of the song is full of sounds of glass coming at you in all directions and in all types of patterns.
“The First Step”, is the sound of what it feels like to take that first step in anything you do. Mysterious, wonderous, and unknown.
“Journeyman”, the title and closing track is some of the best music on the album. It is full of great guitar riffs and experimentation. Great guitar solos and beautiful poetic/symphonic keyboards and atmospherics. The best, and longest song on the album.
All of the songs were written, arranged and performed by Steve Anderson with the assistance of: Chris York, drums on ‘Coda’; Jamie Fisher, drums on ‘Mr Mekano’; William Burnett, Neil Durant and Jamie Fisher, added percussion and other objects on ‘Glass Quartet’.
Journeyman’s Progress – Part I, was mixed and mastered by Andy Tillison. The illustrations were created by Ruby Anderson. The photograph taken by Andrew Merritt.
This album is well worth your time and interest. Different sounding progressive instrumentals which will draw you in and entertain you. Sounds great on headphones or while relaxing by a fireplace. Check this out. You cannot go wrong.
Track List:
- Solus – 0:37
- Coda – 5:30
- A Glimpse of Light – 3:39
- Hellebore – 1:42
- Circlet – 1:12
- Mr. Mekano – 6:27
- Descent – 3:07
- For Nancy – 2:23
- Glass Quartet – 2:46
- The First Step – 4:45
- Journeyman – 10:03
Links:
http://www.journeymansprogress.bandcamp.com
Journeyman’s Progress – The music of Steve Anderson (journeymansprogress.co.uk)
Most impressed .I used to go and see sphere and grey lady down back in the day .I wondered what you were up to .great stuff ..well done