Henry Fool - Henry Fool (2001)

Henry Fool can be described as a psychedelic version of Porcupine Tree or Echolyn. Two tracks are actually mixed by Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree so there the connection is made. Also Tim Bowness, vocalist and guitar player on this album, is the vocalist of No-man in which he works together with Steve Wilson.

The band consist of six members, but most of the compositions are done by Steve Bennett and Tim Bowness. It took almost a year to complete this album, which does show. Although the tracks are heavily rooted in jazz and psychedelic influences, the progressive rock elements are unmistakable. The vocals of Bowness, which can be heard for the first time on Midnight Days, the first part of a large five piece composition called Lateshow, are both melancholic and subtle.
The unconventional music of the sextet features quite some saxophone and clarinet adding to the freestyle jazz feeling that pops up now and again (e.g. in Poppy Z). The good thing about the compositions is that at the moment they have grown into a frantic climax, they suddenly relax and take you on a moody calm trip, which in its turn is just the silence before the storm of the next movement.

The fine composition Lateshow is a good example where Blindman Two almost explodes but Grounded brings us a very mellow almost Camelesque recurrence of the main theme that was laid down in Midnight Days. The album is rich on different organ sounds, all adding to the mellow jazzy, late sixties atmosphere. Somehow, this music is like those French artistic movies. On the one hand you don't like them, on the other hand they grasp your attention and before you know it, you have enjoyed it. A small minor point, is the recurrence of the same vocal theme of Lateshow in Judy on the Brink. Some more originality would have been in order here. The David Warner Wish List is extremely psychedelic, almost too much for me. It is like Interstellar Overdrive of Pink Floyd squared.

This is an album for experienced listeners. Complex, jazzy and psychedelic. However, once mastered it is quite enjoyable. DPRP CD Review







Track Listing

01. Friday Brown (1:13)
02. Bass Pig (2:57)
03. Poppy Q (2:42)
04. Lateshow: a/Midnight Days (2:17)
05. Lateshow: b/Blindman One (1:11)
06. Lateshow: c/Poppy Z (2:58)
07. Lateshow: d/Blindman Two (2:02)
08. Lateshow: e/Grounded (4:37)
09. The Laughter That Turned To Ice (3:44)
10. Jazz Monkey (3:03)
11. Judy On The Brink (3:16)
12. The David Warner Wish List (3:47)
13. Heartattack (3:44)
14. The Mellow Moods Of Malcolm McDowell (6:54)
15. Dreamer's Song (4:10)
16. Tuesday Weld (2:58)

Produced by Stephen Bennett and Tim Bowness

Personnel

• Michael Bearpark - Guitars
• Stephen Bennett - Keyboards, Guitars
• Tim Bowness - Vocals, Guitars
• Peter Chivers - Bass, Stick, Guitars, Keyboards
• Myke Clifford - Saxophone, Flute
• Fudge Smith - Drums

Notes

Formed in the Spring of 2000, Henry Fool released its self-titled debut album through UK Progressive label Cyclops in October 2001.

Created around the nucleus of Tim Bowness (No-Man) and Stephen Bennett (LaHost), the band’s music has also included contributions from Fudge Smith (Steve Hackett, Pendragon), Andrew Booker (David Cross, Peter Banks), Peter Chilvers (No-Man, Brian Eno), Michael Bearpark and Myke Clifford.

Comprising an imaginative combination of 1960's/1970's Progressive influences (Gabriel-era Genesis/Pink Floyd), contemporary Post Rock textural experiments (Rain Tree Crow/Sigur Ros) and powerful group improvisations (King Crimson/Hatfield & The North), Henry Fool has created one of the most distinctive sounds of the new millennium.

Seven years after its debut album, Henry Fool, the band has very nearly completed its follow-up, Album Number Two.
Over five hours worth of material has been written since the debut release, which encompasses structured studio instrumentals, live improvisations and more conventional song-orientated compositions.
Once more, the band's sound takes in aspects of contemporary Post Rock, 1970s Progressive Rock, ECM Jazz and influences from the Canterbury Scene bands.



Many thanks to the original uploader: transgressions

SEE also:
Henry Fool 2013 Men Singing