psychedelic Folk review page : The Story

pre-view copy The Story / : The Dawn is crowned (side A) (UK,2005)***°

Forest were an important psychfolk band who released two, fine albums. Especially the second one has more worked out, longer tracks which makes this album at least a classic in the genre. The style holds a bit the middle between a calm Comus and perhaps Incredible String Band.

Now thirty years later, Martin Welham and son Tom Welham are about to release a split 12" mini vinyl album, shared with a group called Whysp (see below).

Harmony vocals still reminding of Forest, especially on the first track. Elsewhere the music has beautiful 60’s harmony and dual vocals and acoustic guitars. All tracks have a definite and true and honest end 60’s feel, without any “neo”-expression. On “Emergency” (a track with with some keyboard) where Tom sings solo his guitar style and solo vocals remind me a bit at Syd Barrett from his most sober/normal period. A recommended contribution to all 60’s music fans.

Audio of Forest : "A Glade Somewhere","Fading Light","Gypsy Girl & Rambleaway", "Graveyard"

Forest info with audio : http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/artist_profile_forest.htm

Homepage of The Story : http://www.the-story.net

New album is reviewed underneath

More info : Martin Welham ; label contact : josh alper

/ Whysp : The Dawn is crowned (side B) (US,2005)****

The Whysp has its own sincere large portion of Incredible Stringband/Forest influence, with varied instruments and vocals. Also included is a very fine psychfolk/Wicker Man-like version of early Pink Floyd -with-Barrett’s “Julia’s Dream”. “Clouds of Eider Down” which is a bit like a singing-along-in-group “alltogether-now” song, has an ISB-during-Changing-Horses style. “Being to being” with some sitar is equally very psych-trippy. If this is side B the release surely is a must for psych-folk collectors.

Info : http://scum.wikicities.com/wiki/Whysp & (with audio) http://myspace.com/whyspthemusicalgroup

Audio : "Julia Dream" Other review with audio : http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm

More info : http://www.whysp.com/ ; see also their 2007 single reviewed further down->

Sunbeam Rec. The Story (UK,2006)***°

The Story can be regarded as a follow up of Forest. This still is the real thing with a late 60’s acid folk flavour. We hear warm, delicate beautiful harmony vocals, simple guitars and percussion, some piano and flute. The music is perhaps even closest and somewhat similarly to Forest, especially the vocals. Forest were compared to Incredible String Band, but were closer to earth and with a more human solidness. These songs are perhaps even warmer, played by father and son. “Walking the Wall” with different voice, is closer to a C.O.B. melancholy. A beautiful album and another winner for true and truthful acid folk collectors.

Audio : "Windmills", "The Story", "Down to the Trees","Anyway","Winterborn","Strange World"

Info : http://www.sunbeamrecords.com/page15/page12/page12.html & (interview,reviews)

http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/TheStory/artist_profile_TheStory.htm

Homepages : http://profile.myspace.com/thestoryuk & http://www.the-story.net

Other review : http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=1179

Sunbeam Rec. The Story : Arcane Rising (UK,2007)***°

I had to listen a couple times to the new The Story’s album, for its brushing dreamy character took me away too soon, but I think I hear a certain happy to be there feeling, a feeling of freedom in their inspirations. Both vocalists have very well fitting close harmonies, with harmony driven elements too. The percussion remains tambourine, some handclaps and feather-soft if any hand percussion, always soft and delicate. The other arrangements (melodica, flute, melody harp, whistles) are only just texturing the music. In some way we’re now back to the feeling of where the first Forest album started. Remember this is only a duo arranging and playing these songs. They don’t need anything extra any more, but I can imagine how with a few guest members and a few improvisations the next step easily could become how (the second album of Forest) “full Forest” evolved Forest's ideas. Most songs are rather short, but all of them hang together well like pages in a folk story book. A surprise is the Rennaissance-like guitar piece “A wheel Turns”. Very nice. The style of The Story perfected and has a beautiful comfort in them. I hope they will be given the chance to evolve further. Late ‘60s are back, second chapter.

Info : http://www.sunbeamrecords.com/the_story.html

http://www.thestorymusic.co.uk/Reviews.html#ArcaneRising

Previous download version : http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/Folk_community/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=418&idproduct=424

Homepages : http://myspace.com/thestoryuk & http://www.the-story.net or http://www.thestorymusic.co.uk/