Artist : Clive Nolan

Album : Song of the Wildlands

Release Date : 01-09-2021

Added : 06-10-2021

'Clive Nolan' is well known in the progressive world with various projects including 'Pendragon' and 'Arena' and also has multiple other projects including rock or symphonic operas, among which we can mention 'Otra Vida' and 'Alchemy'. 'Song of the Wildands' therefore falls into this category and tells the myth of 'Beowulf', an old English tale from the seventh century that is the story of a Norse warrior, who became king for defeating the monster 'Grendel'.

We are thus embarked on a historical epic with all the ingredients we would like to find in this kind of production: a narrator with a voice worthy of the greatest historical film storytellers who sets the scene for each track and epic music with grandiose choirs alternating strong moments and other calmer ones in atmospheres mixing symphonic, folk, and Celtic music influences. And the result is equal to the considerable task of rendering this historical fresco, which of course requires listening to the whole as a historical film, the title not making any sense. Musically, the 15 chapters alternate different atmospheres that the Englishman has made stick to the climate of the moment and this from the start, with the instrumental introduction setting an epic and grandiose scene with melodic lines that are immediately grafted in the head, then, various compositions pass by with for example 'There's a Threat' and its folksy sounds and percussive drums worthy of a historical epic, just like the slow tempo of 'Crossing The Ocean' which renders very well this image of this long boat crossing. All these tracks could be mentioned, as the arrangements, especially the work of the rhythm sections and the vocal harmonies (thanks to an impressive choir of about 50 singers), contribute to bringing even more authenticity to this age-old legend. In terms of the vocal section, Clive has called on several artists: firstly, an ideal narrator in the person of 'Ross Andrews' with his powerful and deep voice as a storyteller of historical events, and the various singers share the different roles with, honouring the ladies, the English soprano 'Gemma Ashley' who is part of the 'Caamora Norway', singer 'Christina Booth' from the band 'Magenta' whose latest album 'Masters Of Illusion' (unfortunately not available on spotify) is from 2020, and 'Natalie Barnett' who is also part of the 'Caamora' venture. On the men's side, baritone 'Ryan Morgan' is a magnificent performer in this style of music and has worked with Clive also in the 'Caamora' project. It should also be noted that Clive really went all the way with this project, even using Old English for the lyrics, the doctor 'Christopher Monk' assisting him in this onerous task. Finally, as he says himself, the use of old and folk instruments contributes for a good part to the success of this album which adds even more this authentic touch and a true historical identity.

In summary, 'Clive Nolan' shows once again that he is a complete artist and that his many projects are very varied, this historical epic being again the proof. Each time an album is released, the Englishman does everything he can to achieve his goals, because 'Song of the Wildlands' brings together all the ingredients that give even more relief to this age-old legend and which, we hope, could be the subject of a show and a staging to bring the visual side that seems indispensable to this kind of musical production, but, that's another story to be written...

Line Up / Musicians

Clive Nolan (Vocal, Keybords), Ross Andrews (Narration), Ryan Morgan (Vocal - Beowulf), Christina Booth (Vocal - Tyra), Gemma Ashley (Vocal - Solveig), Natalie Barnett (Vocal - Freja), Mark Westwood (Guitar), Stig Andre Clason (Guitar), Arnfinn Isaksen (Bass), Scott Higham (Drums), Morten Clason (Flute), Birgitte Njå (Lure), Vicki Swan (Nyckelharpa), Geir Johansen (Percussions), The " Wildland Warriors Choir" (Choirs)