Theo Travis has long been part of art-rock narrative without actually playing rock – instead, the reedman tends to demonstrate his progressive proclivities in the fields of jazz and folk – which is why the veteran’s solo albums are so varied and interesting. Theo’s next one is titled “Songs From The Apricot Tree” and scheduled for release on June 1st, and it’s a tad unusual, thanks not only to the presence of prominent guests on these ten cuts but also to the ratio of Travis originals to cover pieces – and those pieces relation to his biography. More so, while saxophone and flute are here as well, pride of place on this record is given to duduk, an Armenian instrument whose sound complements the familiar melodies of “Magdalene” that Theo laid down with GONG long ago to revisit now, and the perennial “The Shadow Of Your Smile” and spices up his take on David Sylvian’s “Brilliant Trees” that Travis used to perform live, and “A Feeling Begins” by Peter Gabriel that was the first song he heard duduk on.
Songs From The Apricot Tree
As for his guests, they’re Theo’s former colleagues in different ensembles, GONG’s Dave Sturt handling bass, BIG BIG TRAIN’s David Longdon singing the Sylvain number, SOFT MACHINE’s John Etheridge providing guitar on “The Shadow” and KING CRIMSON’s Jakko Jakszyk voicing “She Is Coming Home” – Travis’ own creation. All in all, it must be a riveting offering.
1. If I Forget You
2. Loss And Mourning
3. Brilliant Trees
4. Magdalene
5. A Quiet Prayer
6. The Shadow Of Your Smile
7. All I Know
8. She Is Coming Home
9. A Feeling Begins
10. Delusion Angel
