Ian Neal – Barkston Ash (2021)
“Barkston Ash” is the fourth album from the immensely talented multi-instrumentalist Ian Neal from England. Neal plays mostly instrumental symphonic progressive rock inspired by the great British masters of the early 1970s.
Remarkably, Neal develops mini progrock symphonies that are beautifully orchestrated. Indeed, he is a skillful one-man orchestra and rock band. Moreover, Neal delivers memorable melodies, captivating electric guitar lines, delightful neoclassical piano, beautifully arranged Rick Wakeman and Tony Banks-style Mellotron, lovely pastoral acoustic guitars that would make Anthony Phillips proud, gorgeous wordless female vocals, the calming sounds of nature, and more. You’ll hear echoes of Yes, progrock era Genesis, Camel and classical composers as well.
Interestingly, Neal’s music also has connections with some of the more recent progressive rock masters like Anglagard and the progrock side of Steven Wilson. In that regard, Neal distills the best of classic and modern progressive rock.
I always enjoy spoken word. To emphasize, if it is done well, spoken word adds a mesmerizing element to the music. And that is the case with Ian Neal’s music. With this in mind, Neal’s mix of spoken word and female vocals is deeply satisfying and magical storytelling.
The lineup includes Ian Neal on keyboards, guitars, vocals, virtual Mellotron, organ, piano; and
Evgenia Papamikrouli on vocals and spoken narration on The Vale of Linden.
Get Ian Neal’s album and previous releases from ianneal.bandcamp.com/album/barkston-ash