PETER HAMMILL - From The Trees (Sealed) (CD)

Peter's first solo album for three years is an intimate affair. The songs are for the most part based on single piano, guitarand vocal parts, designed for live performance. (Indeed, many of these songs have already been performed on stage.) Overdubbing is textural - no percussion, supportive guitars, a central spine of bass, synth and string washes; many extra voices -backing, harmony, choral - behind the main one. The characters who pave their fretful way through these songs are in general facing up to or edging in towards twilight. What's coming to them are moments of realisation rather than resignation. In the third act of life it's time to look with a clear eye at where one's been, at where one's going