Beautiful swan song!

Martin Orford, after leaving IQ quite suddenly in 2007 to musical differences, has struggled, in his own words, to complete this album, for financial reasons. Let us not forget that it is the only IQ to live music .. His GEP label suffered so much illegal downloading in the process, he announced his retirement from the music scene. "The old road" is something of a swan song. But it is in his last moments that the swan sings the most beautiful way, says the legend ... And indeed, "The old road" is one of the very best albums of 2008.
In the booklet, Martin book some personal reflections on his record and his philosophy. "The old road", the day before road, "the right way eve of doing things, the rejection of modernity at any price, that's what discussed.
Proud to be "retro-prog"? I do not find this album so "retro" than that ... true to certain patterns, certain sounds yes, probably. But as he says himself, the important thing is good melodies and abounds in this album, both vocal and instrumental level. And as in IQ, certain keyboard textures are quite modern opposite.
Despite often sad and disillusioned texts, themes are often very catchy and the main key on most pieces is greater, at least their main theme sung. This does not prevent the instrumental parts to reconnect with the minor mode so expensive in Orford, with the majestic themes and sometimes a little solemn that are his trademark. In addition, most of the pieces are quite dynamic, with here and there some calmer and slower parts (the wonderful "ray of hope" for example).
THERE are many guests and not strangers, on pieces ranging from 3 to 11 minutes. There already beautiful people on "Grand design" (10 minutes), very catchy, with Martin playing almost all the instruments and vocals, supported by the new IQ drummer Andy Edwards, Gary Chandler rhythmic guitars and 6 12-string (who plays on most pieces but never a soloist, alas). There is also Steve Thorne acoustic guitars on several pieces, the ubiquitous and very inspired guitars soloists John Mitchell of 4 titles. Singing side, Martin is responsible for two pieces, Steve Thorne sings on, John Wetton on two and finally a folk singer named David Longdon interpreted in two others. His voice is also not far from that of Martin and Thorne and it is easy to confuse.
On other songs, the rhythm section is that of Spock's Beard, ie Nick D'Virgilio on drums and Dave Meros on bass. And it moves, even if the battery is often mixed a little off (no bass, by cons, it sounds like Chris Squire!).
On "Classical music and popular songs", we already discovered the Martin Orford singer and guitarist same! Here, our man playing a lot more guitar and especially the electric guitar, keyboards and more - and he is doing very well, delivering some solos as it looks from the nimble fingers of Mike Holmes (IQ) for that matter!
The album has no weak piece and several key pieces. Cliché perhaps, but I tend to think that it is the longer pieces, like "great design", "the old road" (with intro classisante folk and enhanced color by Colm Murphy violin) or "the time and the season" with its majestic and haunting at the end theme, more melancholy and poignant "ray of hope". Martin also proves his ability to write a good song rock symphonic way Asia AOR with "take it to the sun", sung very suitably by John Wetton. And the frenetic and complex instrumental "power and speed" with a masterful solo traditional progressive Mitchell delight lovers!
Best of all, the 16-page booklet, produced as usual by Tony Lithgoe, is magnificent.
It remains perhaps more heavily than buy this album and trying to prove to Martin Orford and how it is an important artist whose music account for many of us, even if this number is not reached the millions. Support it, the artist and his record really deserve.