Rodney Matthews Studios 2023
From Kenneth Grahame’s novel forth comes a ballad to target the eternity of art.
& FRIENDS –
Lost In The Wild Wood
A globally renowned visual storyteller whose illustrations grace the covers of many a famous platter, a few years ago Rodney Matthews returned to music from a different angle – one he was always eager to pursue yet had to yield to other artistic passion – and found a comfortable place behind the drums. Still, while his longplay "Trinity" could be seen as the veteran’s definitive statement, "Yendor" – a fantasy tale he wrote and later turned into an animated film – is of much greater importance as it displays Matthews’ ability to handle literary idiom. Yes, Rodney has drawn a lot of images derived from books, but he never transformed those stories into songs… until now. Now he conspired with piper Pete Coleman and guitarist Tony Clarkin to compose a number based on a passage from “The Wind in the Willows” – a perspective of crossing the outer limits and exploring terra incognita lying beyond: a poetic summary of any creator’s route.
The results are breathtaking to say the least. What begins as a folk ballad wrapped in acoustic lace, forest sound effects and reeds-woven rusticana and sung by Charlotte Dickerson, whose gentle vocals mesmerize the listener, will bloom, with circumstance making room for pomp and Bob Catley’s powerful warble, into a prog-rock bombast of the MAGNUM amplitude. However, it’s bound to be swept away with Oliver Wakeman‘s pensive barrelhouse piano that brings on an urban vibe, as signaled by sirens’ wail as well, and Roberto Vitelli’s mighty bass – all these stylistic and rhythmic changes punctuated by Matthews’ percussive nuances. If, at the start, Rodney’s accents propel lyrics through the trees to open an enticing vista of the entire wood once a heavy part arises, where he’s providing the weight of bravery the piece’s intrepid adventurers bear on their shoulders, before the end Rodney’s sticks get to swing with proper gusto. As his lyrics build a shining tower around fascinating tune, this astounding single is an early 2023 jewel to shed an encouraging light into the future.
*****
