By
Nick Farr
Written by
Steve Sheppard
I read Nicks album notes on our own personal or global storms,
and he certainly has a point, and I can also state that music has helped me
through some of the most turbulent times in my life as well, and I guess it
always will, music for me is the only language that always tells the truth and
never lies, it is what it is, and this latest album from Nick Farr is as a powerful compilation of great compositions to
help anyone who is going through or about to enter the storm itself, and thus
this is why releases like Holding The
Storm is vitally important in this day and age more than ever.
So let’s take a look at this grand offering and we start with
the proud title track. Holding the Storm
is a legendary piece with a soundtrack quality, almost Lord of Rings pre final battle scene, it has a deep sense of
strength, but a track that also contains quieter segments that go on to build
further; if ever you were looking for the perfect start to an album this is it.
Celtic Quest says does exactly what it says on
the can, the lilt is from the highlands and the upbeat tempo is not that far
away from a rock reverie, mix that with the sublime flute of Leah Wilson and you have a masterpiece
of a composition, one that constantly drives onward across valleys and vales, Lyman Golden with both banjo and electric
guitar really gives this composition by Farr the edge it needed.
We slide into the open arms of one of the most beautiful
compositions from the album called Hope.
Again Lyman Golden, this time on
acoustic guitar, partners Leah Wilson
(flute) to create a pastiche of symbiotic tone and timbre, Farr’s melodic and
creative piano brings changes in tempo, uplifts in tone and adds a vibration of
hopeful mystery into the weave of the composition.
The opening bars of this next piece truly reminded me of the
early days of masters of the piano like Elton
John, Farr created here a mood so meaningful and honest on the track called
Here We Are, that one would have to
wonder if they were perhaps listening to an anthem like opus that would be a
timeless reverie over the decades ahead, when the trumpet of Ben Jones joined the fray the answer
became a resounding yes, magic was indeed born.
The string sections are so very important on an album like
this, I am glad to say that composer Nick
Farr has created a symphonic gesture that is utterly delightful on the
track Love Notes, this is a piece
that changes its posture a few times within its arrangement, as a percussive
element is brought into the composition to manifest a cheer filled
construction.
Whilst on In the Face
of Danger the midway section of the album is reached, this powerful
melodramatic offering has us literally standing eye to eye with whatever
opponent we have in front of us at that moment, the orchestral prowess of the
piece gives us, that ever needy listener, an opportunity to gather up courage
and move steadily onwards without fear.
This 12 track release by Farr has been 7 years in the making,
but the wait has been worth it, once more power plays like the almost regal and
grand Another Way, a composition
that builds and flows like a river in mid-winter, this is neoclassical music at
its very best, and some of the most inspirational music I have heard since my
last visit to my David Arkenstone
collection.
From my upstairs balcony I can gaze across the ocean, here I
see many ships cross the horizon, and here I know have a piece that
encapsulates that moment in music and called Sailing to the Horizon. This is a fast paced exploratory symphonic
creation that powers across the late November waves in distain for the
inclement weather, and is one of the most dramatic offerings off the album, and
most certainly movie score standard with ease.
My second favourite season is Spring, it borders the boundaries of the death of winter and the hopefulness
and happiness of summer, this specific piece is even more classical in its
posture, highlighting the need for an orchestra to manifest something so
redolent of hope, transition, colour and energy, this Farr’s creation does with
such style and ease.
There comes a point in all our lives when we give in to the
moment, we don’t give up, we become Fearless. Farr has brought a special scene, perhaps
even created a special moment in the album when our heads can bravely come
above the parapets of oppression and stand tall. This is a marvellous and
careful creation, one that contains a fearless approach, but also one of
trepidation and concern.
The shore has been reached as we land at the penultimate
track off the album, and this delicious offering is called Return to the Highlands. Anticipation is the watchword here as the
composer builds a cautious composition, but one that grows with a steady
confidence and fluency, this is a masterful last but one creation by the artist
and his orchestra, a piece that would be easily used on a soundtrack for a
documentary about the Celts maybe!
The final and departing musical narrative is entitled Meadows of Green, a softer more gentle
piece is slowly manifested here, in its self it becomes more of an anthem for a
return home after many years of exile, and like the subject matter of the
entire album, it is at this point that we can see the benefit of actually
standing tall and holding back that storm.
We have all been there, trials, tribulations large and small,
life’s rich tapestry, its twists and turns affects us all and always will do,
but we all have it in us to hold that storm at bay and rise above the
negativity and gloom. On Holding The
Storm by Nick Farr we now have a
soundtrack for that event, something we can always refer back to when times get
tough.
Holding The Storm by Nick Farr is a high quality instrumental moment of musical power
and intensity, and holding that musical flag of hope high we will always prevail.
This is an example of fine instrumental work from Farr, his piano and his
orchestral team, it is a fine example of top class Neo Classical music, and as
such I would not be surprised at all to see this album in the top reaches of
the charts, it is that compelling and invigorating.
