Nick Magnus – “A Strange Inheritance” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Nick Magnus, is one of the most well-known keyboardists in progressive rock history. He has returned with a wonderful album, A Strange Inheritance; which will be released on the 16^th of September, on Magick Nuns Records.

On A Strange Inheritance, Nick Magnus plays keyboards, synthesizers, and sings lead and backing vocals, plays percussion, tongue drum, and he completed all the production. He has also included some of his favorite guests to play on the album, including: Steve Hackett, who plays harmonica, on “An Almost Silent Witness”; Dick Foster, who narrates the prologue; John Greenwood, who plays nylon, 12-string and electric guitars on, “Blood Money”; Tony Patterson, sings lead vocals on “Blood Money”, and “Black and Scarlet”; Ginger Bennett, who sings lead vocals on “Welcome To The Island”; Louise Young, who sings lead and backing vocals on “To Whom it May Concern”, and backing vocals, on “Black and Scarlet”: Andy Neve, sings backing vocals on “An Almost Silent Witness” and “Black and Scarlet”; and Clara Sorace, who sings shamanistic chants on “Welcome To The Island”.

The story for this album opens in a very strange way. It takes us on a “cinematic voyage; a swashbuckling tale of love, loss, and revenge. An unexpected bequest reveals the story of a young woman whose misplaced love condemns her to the grim streets of 18th century London. She is deported, travelling across the high seas to the New World where imperialism and injustice rule, and an island paradise that is not what it seems”.

Composer, keyboard player and producer Nick Magnus is best known for his work with ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett from 1978 to 1989, providing his keyboard talents to at least twelve of Steve Hackett’s albums to date. He has travelled and played extensively touring Europe, the UK, and the US.

Nick began his career in early 1976, with the cult symphonic rock ensemble, The Enid. At the end of that year, he left The Enid to spend two years with the progressive rock band, Autumn. His background involves session work with many diverse artistes such as: China Crisis, Renaissance, George Martin, Mungo Jerry, Carl Wayne (The Move), Johhny Mars, Cilla Black, Jose Carreras, Brian May (Queen), Richie Havens, Bonnie Tyler, Mike Batt, Classix Nouveaux, David Essex, Pete Bardens (Camel), Duncan Browne, Chris Rea, and Colin Blunstone. Nick has also released six solo albums, of his own.

And so the story of A Strange Inheritance, begins with narration: “It was a strange inheritance, unexpected, an oak chest bound with iron straps come into my possession, from a relative of whom I knew nothing…”

“An Almost Silent Witness”, opens the album, after the brief prologue above. An over 10-minute introduction of the story and the contents of the oak chest. Inside the chest, a sad looking, deceased parrot. Nick sings, for the parrot, “Ship ahoy my pretty boy”, the only words the parrot knew. Violin fills the air with backing acoustic guitar and keyboard orchestrations. The deceased parrot begins recounting his story in the mind of Nick. Steve Hackett’s harmonica brings the pirate sound to the forefront as the story crawls deeper and deeper into the past, and its adventures. The guitar playing sounds like Hackett’s, but he is only given credit for the harmonica, which he amazingly commands well. The keyboards from Magnus emanate some deep string sounds, as this rollicking and bouncing pirate song, becomes a great album opener. A great story of adventures on the sea with barbarous pirates and naval battles. At times, it sounds like some of the excellent work that Steve Hackett and Nick Magnus did together on Steve’s solo albums, during the 1970s. The choir towards the end is cinematic. Yes, as the pirate parrot says, “Ship ahoy my pretty boy!”

“Blood Money”, opens with powerful pianos and exotic keyboards. Tony Patterson sounds so much like Gary Brooker from Procol Harum, that if you close your eyes you may even think it’s him. John Greenwood’s guitar playing will make you think it may be Steve Hackett playing the guitar. Absolutely brilliant. This song is such a Procol Harum – like song, supported with the innovation of a flamenco guitar sound, amidst the wondrous stories and cinematic magic surrounding. These first two songs are two of the best on the album. The moral of this story, “You took our silver, you took our gold. Your gains were our losses. You gave us, you gave us, you gave us, wooden crosses”.

“Philadelphia”, opens with powerful acoustic guitar. Nick sings the sad story of Philadelphia. A maid who falls in love with the married man she works as a maid for, in their home. Philadelphia becomes pregnant with the homeowner’s child, and the story spirals into chaos and forbidden realms for Philadelphia. It is a story with a moral purpose to enlighten both genders.

“At Sea at Night”, opens with mysterious and murky seas of keyboards mixed well with Hackett-like soaring electric guitar. A beautiful, relaxing song of drifting on the open ocean. Like a trip back to some of Steve Hackett’s early solo albums, with Nick. The stories and thoughts that Nick recounts and relays are so ethereal and at the same time relaxing. Despite the peril, Philadelphia will encounter in the ‘New World Colonies’. The keyboards and orchestration of the soundscape mirrors a movie or cinemascope. Absolutely wonderful. One of my favorite songs on the album. Makes you want to jump in a boat and head out to sea…now. The piano at the end is some of the best on the album. What a song, for someone who loves the sea as well.

“Four Winds”, opens with powerful drums and brass. It sounds like a movie soundtrack, all full of orchestra. Absolutely overwhelming. The choirs and movement of the strings and brass, feels like a tortuous wind blowing across the sea. Over 8 minutes of the cinematic magic of the wind, captured in a symphony. Then, it almost moves towards a 2001: A Space Odyssey, like journey into the symphonic unknown, or the stars,, that can be seen at night on the open ocean. Then, the warm piano and strings return, to calm all fears.

“Welcome To The Island”, sounds like something off a 1960s TV set. Then, Ginger Bennett sings, “Welcome to the Island”, and she sounds so much like Jon Anderson of Yes. A danceable song, filled with great lead electric guitar, drums, and keyboards. Then, they go total Unitopia, and my ears begin to perk up, even more. Like a short trip back to The Garden; however, this time the lyrics involve pirates and what sounds more like music for a trip through an Indiana Jones movie. Imagine Jon Anderson of Yes, singing with Unitopia, in an Indiana Jones movie, and you’re there. The southern islands and colonies of Britain, no doubt.

“Black and Scarlet”, is another pirate song, but this time it has a Robin Hood twist. This song sounds a lot like an Alan Parsons song. But then Nick adds fiddle and we get a little Charlie Daniels, in the middle. An amazing amalgam of music and genres. Then, it returns as a glorious pirate story of conquest for the Pirate Queen. The chorus at the end is wonderful. Nick could teach Visions of Atlantis how to write a pirate song.

“To Whom it May Concern”, is full of flute and soft keyboards. Louise Young sings lead vocals with a vocal that reminds me of Hayley Griffiths. A story full of the sounds I remember so well from Steve Hackett’s early albums which Nick and Steve blended their music so wonderfully together.

Nick Magnus’ A Strange Inheritance, was a wonderful trip back in time for me. When we used to gather as friends and listen to a newly released album, from beginning to end, together. Then we would discuss it as friends. Wish I had those friends here to discuss this album. But, maybe that is your opportunity. To buy this incredible album and enjoy every minute of its timeless warmth. Savor each moment, because music like this is just not made anymore, or as often as it used to be heard. The dreamers, storytellers, the pirate captains, and magical musicians of my childhood are leaving for the ‘next world’ faster than I could imagine. Please take the time to support one of the greatest keyboardists in progressive rock history and give A Strange Inheritance, your full attention. Experience it like it should be, from beginning to end. Now get up and go get it…will yah?

All music composed and arranged by Nick Magnus. All lyrics by Dick Foster.

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