Wilson, Damian - Live In Rehearsal


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Cosmas Records
Catalog Number: CMCD 708
Format: CD
Total Time: 46:06:00

Damian Wilson is mostly known for his work with bands like Threshold, Landmarq, Ayreon and quite recently, Star One, as well as LaSalle (with Guy Fletcher from Dire Straits) and Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble. Few people know that Damian has starred as leading character Jean Valjean in the musical Les Miserables for two years, something that surprised many. And who would know that Damian even auditioned with Iron Maiden to replace Bruce Dickinson! And on top of that, Damian has released two solo albums in between: Cosmas in 1997 and Disciple in 2001. Now Damian has formed his own band and re-recorded a number of his solo songs as well as two new songs in a "live" studio session. Rick Wakeman has a guest appearance on one of the songs.

The solo music of Damian can best be described as folk rock, which means it is mainly acoustic. Live In Rehearsal is an album that stands out because of Damian's voice and all musicians play a sort of supportive role. The first song, "Brightest Way," immediately sweeps you of your feet with the clear voice of Damian Wilson. Most songs have drums, bass, acoustic guitar and piano and there are violins, cellos and flute, not sampled but the real thing! The song "One Life" is topped off with the familiar Hammond sound and the song "Adam's Child," in contrary to the regular studio version, is played with electric guitar, something that makes the song much better. "Please Don't Leave Me Until I Leave You" is the only up-tempo song o n the album, although "Naked" is a bit more up tempo as the rest and is also the second song with electric guitar in it. "She's Like A Fable" is featured twice on the album: one time played by Damian's band and once with Rick Wakeman playing the piano. If you hear the Rick Wakeman version, you know why it is on the album!

After listing to Live In Rehearsal, I must say that it is not what I was used to from Damian, but his voice is very impressive, both powerful and clear but also tender and soft. This album makes you want to hear him sing live and shows why he has been voted "Best Male Vocalist" five times by the Classic Rock Society. The album is packed in a simple cardboard sleeve, since it was released as a sort of promotion album to give people an idea what Damian would sound live. So add this inexpensive yet beautiful gem to your collection, you will not be disappointed.

Similar bands: Mostly Autumn

[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Brightest Way (3:33) / Homegrown (4:53) / She's Like A Fable (2:59) / One Life (4:20) / When I Leave This Land (4:51) / Heavenly Mine (3:07) / Please Don't Leave Me 'Til I Leave You (3:02) / I Want To Build My World (4:02) / Naked (4:01) / Adam's Child (3:42) / Win In The End (4:04) / She's Like A Fable (featuring Rick Wakeman) (3:24)

Musicians:
Damian Wilson - vocals, acoustic guitar
Catalina Greggains - flute
Patch Hannan - drums, backing vocals
Andrew Holdsworth - piano, percussion
Matt Hughes - bass
Paul Jude Wilson - backing vocals
Bryony Lang - violin
Murdoch McDonald - percussion
Gordon Mills - drums, electric guitar
Jon Ornolfsson - cello
Nic Slack - piano, hammond, keyboards, backing vocals
Hannah Townsend - backing vocals
Rick Wakeman - piano
Paul Williams - guitar

Discography:
Landmarq - Solitary Witness (1992/2002)
Landmarq - Infinity Parade (1993/2002)
Threshold - Wounded Land (1993)
Landmarq - The Vision Pit (1995)
Cosmas (1997)
Threshold - Extinct Instinct (1997)
Disciple (2001)
Live At Rehearsal (2002)
Let's Start A Commune (2007)
Threshold - The Ravages Of Time (2007)
Headspace - I Am (ep) (2007)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: March 1st 2003
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.damian-wilson.com
Hits: 2054
Language: english

  

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