The Morrigan - Hidden Agenda (2002)

2020-01-02T15:15:05Z

The Morrigan - Hidden Agenda (2002)


1 	Swallow's Tail 	
2 	In The End / Tristan's Lament 	
3 	Volta / Basse Danse / Volta 	
4 	South Australia / Roaring Forties 	
5 	A Night To Remember 	
6 	Slieve Russell / The March Hare 	
7 	The Other 	
8 	Joe Cooley's Reel 	
9 	The Parting Glass

Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Arch
Guitar [Guitars], Bass, Keyboards [Occasional Keyboards] – Dave Lodder
Guitar [Guitars], Bass, Keyboards [Occasional Keyboards], Vocals – Colin Masson
Vocals, Flute, Bass, Percussion – Mervyn B.
Vocals, Recorder [Recorders], Keyboards, Guitar [12st. Guitar] – Cathy Alexander 
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Mandolin & Banjo (8) - Matt Carter

Here Yee, Here Yee, Fans of Mostly Autumn, Iona and Karnataka will enjoy this immensely! The Morrigan is an unknown little jewel of a band that has a few very good things going for it, namely Cathy Alexander's recorders, keyboards and soothing voice (also featured on the 2005 Lands End album "The Lower Depths") and multi-instrumentalist Colin Masson (whose solo album "Isle of Eight" was a delight to listen to and review). If one must, this group is squarely in the more Celtic-folk rock pigeonhole (not a very clean place, come to think of it) but also suggest a harder edge that mélanges a hint of Jethro Tull, a dash of Giant and a slab of Oldfield, with mandolin and banjo thrown in for good measure. Most of the pieces are traditional British folk songs that are rearranged in whole or in part with their special recipe that is utterly original. "Swallow's Tale" is a rambunctious almost heavy sympho-rock intro that evolves into a flute led jig, short, brief and fun that then explodes into a wrapping guitar solo. "In the End/Tristan's Lament" is a definite highlight, a throbbing bass-led vocal melody that grooves along splendidly with slashing shafts of rhythm guitar until the traditional flutes kick in, all topped off with another fluid fret flight. The next one is a towering medieval suite "Volta/Basse Danse/Volta" that is a pure pleasure, a "raconteur-troubadour minstrel in the gallery in the court of the King" electric gavotte, hens roasting on the spit, pewter goblets filled with lusty wine, a torch-lit castle room fantasy. All that's missing is Robin Hood! "South Australia/Roaring Forties" is more upbeat, a cheery barroom sendoff for sailors that serves as a brief interlude. At almost 10 minutes long, "A Night to Remember" is the main epic and a cracker at that! The twin guitars spin a web of arpeggios, lustily abetted by massive hell bent symphonics, until Cathy's beautiful voice kicks in , sounding like a heavy version of Renaissance until the section slings into a crescendo of various lewd guitar leads that are all hair raising. Back and forth, up and down, the ride is exhilarating; a final genius touch adds a speed vocal passage that is dizzying. "Slieve Russell/The March Hare" is another fine instance of combining a well known time-honored Irish recorder-led tune whilst adhering to a The Morrigan twist, this time throwing in a jazzy fret board duet that will knock your knees together. "The Other" is an Alexander penned piece that continues the eerie spooky ritual of infusing atmospherics with dramatic vocalizations, sounding at times almost like a tune out of the famous My Fair Lady musical. "Joe Cooley's Reel" is my favorite here and, you guess it, is another Celtic instrumental romp, with spirited flute/recorder interplay, banjo and mandolin ablaze with fuzzy guitars crackling in the background, rollicking bass and chugging organ to finish off the glee. The disc ends successfully with the gentle "the Parting Glass", a vocally entrancing classic piece that exudes that strong passion that characterizes these proud people, flutes serenading the way into the mist. ---tszirmay, progarchives.com

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The Morrigan – Masque (1998)

2017-12-13T15:13:18Z

The Morrigan – Masque (1998)


1 Masque 5:46
2 Dever The Dancer 4:46
3 Blarney Pilgrim 7:56
4 Moonghast 6:46
5 Merrily Kissed The Quaker's Wife 3:18
6 The Traveller 6:38
7 Dribbles Of Brandy 5:26
8 The Lykewake Dirge 4:40
9 The Demon Lover 7:43
10 She Moved Through The Fair 7:02

- Cathy Alexander - vocals, keyboards, twelve string guitar, recorders, windsynth
- Mervyn B. - vocals, flute, bass guitar
- Dave Lodder - electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass guitar
- Colin Masson - bass guitar, acoustic, electric and classical guitars,
 keyboards, vocals, trombone
- Arch - drums, Egyptian drums, pads, Roto-toms, tambourine, shaker,
 beer glass, 2,000 gallon oil tank, vocals
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- Cliff Eastabrook - acoustic and electric bass guitars
- Simon Baggs - violins
- Steve Lightfoot - accordion
- Matt Carter – banjo

The fourth album by this UK progressive folk band, 'Masque' shows The Morrigan's style developing, if even only a bit. After a strong album with 'Wreckers', the band returns another few years later to give another solid album, this time pushing the traditional Celtic jigs they built the first three albums up upon, and diversifying their catalogue. There's no doubt that 'Masque' is the most progressive album The Morrigan had done up to this point, although not every change the band makes here is for the best.

Although changes have been made, the sound here is still explicitly Morrigan in nature. Still here are the pastoral acoustic guitar segments, soaring traditional vocals of vocalist Cathy Alexander, and the very Celtic vibe that really defines what the band's music is all about. At the sacrifice of the Celtic saturation, there are now greater roots in progressive rock, and even such disparate sounds as Gregorian chant singing and the more martial sounds of neofolk. All of this makes 'Masque' feel like The Morrigan's strongest work when compared the the three that had come earlier, but in terms of the enjoyment factor, it is on par with 'Wreckers'. Gone are much of the energetic recorder-driven jigs that were always very fun to listen to, and authentic feel of the folk elements. Instead, there's something here that hasn't quite been heard from the band before.

'Masque' opens up with its title track, which seems to bring the listener into a sort of prog rock feudal feast hall, with guitars and keyboards blazing with whistles sounding in between. While it may turn some off on first impression, there is also something of a religious vibe that the album gives. Be it through the Latin chants or traditional European spirituals The Morrigan puts to use here, there is a Christian based theme on the album, as first impressions go. However, it is put to a good use here; instead sounding as if it is meant to enhance the feudal sound of the album rather than convert anyone.

Easily the most rock-based Morrigan album I have thus listened to, not to mention the most musically complex and ambitious. While it doesn't have the sort of charm that 'Wreckers' did, it shows the band taking steps in the right direction. ---Conor Fynes, progarchives.com

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Rock, Metal

The Morrigan - Hidden Agenda (2002)

The Morrigan – Masque (1998)