Martin Orford – Classical Music and Popular Songs
Martin Orford, keyboard player with IQ, presents us here with a solo album.
Although Martin does have a few of his bandmates playing on this album, the sound is in a completely different direction from that of IQ. Martin has played a lot with John Wetton these past few years and I think that influence is quite apparent. Speaking of Wetton, he does make a guest appearance on the second track, A Part of Me.
The album starts off on a great note, with a piece called The Field of Fallen Angels which is a piece that flows into several directions. From then on you’re hooked to the album. Beautiful pieces in several directions, Classical, Progressive, Commercial Rock. But all executed in a brilliant way.
It’s also nice to find the first studio recording of his Quilmes. This is a piece he wrote in the late ’70s to try and get a music scholarship. However, those in the deciding position did not think much of either his composition or his piano playing. Their loss. It’s one of the best pieces on the album. Incidently, John Wetton gave it it’s title after a local brand of beer in Argentina (also a race of native people).
The album is brilliantly executed, with an interesting choice of material. A departure from what Martin has given us through IQ, but one that is worth taken.
