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Ray Bennett - Whatever Falls

Ray Bennett - Whatever Falls
Released: 2001
Label: Mintspy Records
Cat. No.: VP228CD
Total Time: 48:36

Reviewed by: Clayton Walnum, December 2002
For those who need a history lesson, Ray Bennett is the former bassist for the Yes splinter group Flash. As a huge Flash fan, I couldn't wait to dig into Bennett's latest CD, Whatever Falls, and I wasn't disappointed. A collection of guitar-based compositions, Whatever Falls covers a lot of territory from ambient textures to Rush-like metal. As it turns out Bennett is not just an excellent bassist, but also a skilled guitarist and a competent vocalist.

The album opens with the track "La Verite Des Miracles," a six-minute sonic surprise (especially if you expect to hear something similar to Flash) whose ambient intro leading into heavier guitar themes brings to mind some work by Djam Karet. The second track, "Torn Apart," takes over where the first leaves off, with searing guitar that harkens back to early Rush. However, the song itself sounds more like a melding of Rush with the 60's Ten Years after. On this track, we first get to hear Bennett's vocals, which sound like Dave Mustaine of Megadeth crossed with Alvin Lee of Ten Years After.

"Under The Wheel," the third track, moves back into Djam Karet territory, at least as far as the music goes. However, this is a vocal piece, rather than an instrumental. Growling bass lines and soaring, sustained guitar chords punctuate the distorted spoken verses, all underpinned by occasional synth screeches. Although Bennett delivers the verses as spoken word, he sings the choruses in two-part harmony. The centerpiece of the track is an almost orchestral break that brings to the fore the subtle symphonic nature of the music.

The remaining tracks follow suit, with songs that update the Ten Years After sound ("Digging With A Spoon" and "Davey Goes To The Park") to nearly ambient pieces ("Ahh!" and "Stella") to jazzy, Eric Johnson-like forays ("Whatever Falls" and "New West"). One song, "Changes," is the closest anything here comes to pop, being reminiscent of early Toto. For the most part, the arrangements are dense with orchestral touches played on synth, as well as peppered with myriad atmospheric sounds, yet it all stays well balanced and mixed, producing a sonically deep CD that offers a new surprise with each listen.

Every track on this album is, in its own way, unusual, which should help satisfy most prog listeners. The guitar work is solid, to the point, and effective. Especially effective are the various guitar tones, from Rush-like walls of sound to dark, Eric Johnson-esque rhythm sections. The keyboards boast the same sensibilities, solid backgrounds that slide nicely into the mixes.

All in all, I think Bennett has a real winner here, an album that impresses on the first listen but grows stronger as the music becomes familiar. I can heartily recommend Whatever Falls to anyone who likes rock with strong musical values, a progressive edge, and creative, expert production.

Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Bennett has also released a career retrospective entitled Angels & Ghosts, which features music from 1973 through to 1997, including a rare Flash single, "Watch Your Step." And don't get the idea that this track is a throw-away included only to entice Flash fans to the album; it's an excellent song that accurately represents the Flash sound, albeit in under three minutes. Also, included is the flipside to that single, an experimental track named "Never Stand Behind An Old Piano." The remaining 13 tracks go everywhere from Flash-like songs to full-tilt arena hard rock. Lots of fun with history here, including enlightening liner notes.

More about Whatever Falls:

Track Listing: La Verite Des Miracles (5:58) / Torn Apart (4:51) / Under The Wheel (5:04) / Digging With A Spoon (3:26) / Ahh! (3:18) / Stella (2:40) / Changing (5:47) / Davey Goes To The Park (6:35) / Whatever Falls (5:54) / New West (4:52)

Musicians:
Ray Bennett - vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, ebo, electronic percussion
David Kannenstine - bass on "Whatever Falls" and "Ahh!"
Mark Pardy - drums on all tracks except "Stella"

Contact:

Website: www.raybennett.co.uk/
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

Whatever Falls (2001)
Angels & Ghosts (2001)

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© Copyright 2002 ProgressiveWorld.net/Clayton Walnum

	Ray Bennett - Whatever Falls
	Released: 2001 Label: Mintspy Records Cat. No.: VP228CD Total Time: 48:36
	Reviewed by: Clayton Walnum, December 2002 For those who need a history lesson, Ray Bennett is the former bassist for the Yes splinter group Flash. As a huge Flash fan, I couldn't wait to dig into Bennett's latest CD, Whatever Falls, and I wasn't disappointed. A collection of guitar-based compositions, Whatever Falls covers a lot of territory from ambient textures to Rush-like metal. As it turns out Bennett is not just an excellent bassist, but also a skilled guitarist and a competent vocalist. The album opens with the track "La Verite Des Miracles," a six-minute sonic surprise (especially if you expect to hear something similar to Flash) whose ambient intro leading into heavier guitar themes brings to mind some work by Djam Karet. The second track, "Torn Apart," takes over where the first leaves off, with searing guitar that harkens back to early Rush. However, the song itself sounds more like a melding of Rush with the 60's Ten Years after. On this track, we first get to hear Bennett's vocals, which sound like Dave Mustaine of Megadeth crossed with Alvin Lee of Ten Years After. "Under The Wheel," the third track, moves back into Djam Karet territory, at least as far as the music goes. However, this is a vocal piece, rather than an instrumental. Growling bass lines and soaring, sustained guitar chords punctuate the distorted spoken verses, all underpinned by occasional synth screeches. Although Bennett delivers the verses as spoken word, he sings the choruses in two-part harmony. The centerpiece of the track is an almost orchestral break that brings to the fore the subtle symphonic nature of the music. The remaining tracks follow suit, with songs that update the Ten Years After sound ("Digging With A Spoon" and "Davey Goes To The Park") to nearly ambient pieces ("Ahh!" and "Stella") to jazzy, Eric Johnson-like forays ("Whatever Falls" and "New West"). One song, "Changes," is the closest anything here comes to pop, being reminiscent of early Toto. For the most part, the arrangements are dense with orchestral touches played on synth, as well as peppered with myriad atmospheric sounds, yet it all stays well balanced and mixed, producing a sonically deep CD that offers a new surprise with each listen. Every track on this album is, in its own way, unusual, which should help satisfy most prog listeners. The guitar work is solid, to the point, and effective. Especially effective are the various guitar tones, from Rush-like walls of sound to dark, Eric Johnson-esque rhythm sections. The keyboards boast the same sensibilities, solid backgrounds that slide nicely into the mixes. All in all, I think Bennett has a real winner here, an album that impresses on the first listen but grows stronger as the music becomes familiar. I can heartily recommend Whatever Falls to anyone who likes rock with strong musical values, a progressive edge, and creative, expert production. Rating: 4/5 NOTE: Bennett has also released a career retrospective entitled Angels & Ghosts, which features music from 1973 through to 1997, including a rare Flash single, "Watch Your Step." And don't get the idea that this track is a throw-away included only to entice Flash fans to the album; it's an excellent song that accurately represents the Flash sound, albeit in under three minutes. Also, included is the flipside to that single, an experimental track named "Never Stand Behind An Old Piano." The remaining 13 tracks go everywhere from Flash-like songs to full-tilt arena hard rock. Lots of fun with history here, including enlightening liner notes. More about Whatever Falls: Track Listing: La Verite Des Miracles (5:58) / Torn Apart (4:51) / Under The Wheel (5:04) / Digging With A Spoon (3:26) / Ahh! (3:18) / Stella (2:40) / Changing (5:47) / Davey Goes To The Park (6:35) / Whatever Falls (5:54) / New West (4:52) Musicians: Ray Bennett - vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, ebo, electronic percussion David Kannenstine - bass on "Whatever Falls" and "Ahh!" Mark Pardy - drums on all tracks except "Stella" Contact: Website: www.raybennett.co.uk/ Note: will open new browser window Discography Whatever Falls (2001) Angels & Ghosts (2001)
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