LINK: German review of Wally

http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/w/wally/montpellier.html



Playing time: 55:18
Format: CD
Label: Gonzo Multimedia, 2010
style: prog rock
04/04/2012 Review of Joachim 'Joe' Brookes
Wally is back. Over thirty years, Roy Webber & Co., the band let it rest. In 2009 it was in the home town of Harrogate, Yorkshire a reunion concert sold out and documented this performance with the DVD "The Urban Man."

Long, long time ago ... Beginning of the seventies took Wally to a contest organized by the Melody Maker. The winner was Druid across the finish line, but even before the finals enthusiastic Wally theYes -keyboardist Rick Wakeman , who also produced the debut album "Wally" (1974). At that time, no expense has been spared, was recorded for the first record in the Morgan Recording Studios. Probably by Wakeman taught, for both Yes and Joan Armatrading , Black Sabbath ,Ten Years After , or UFO at that time used the recording studio. Even during follow-up "Valley Gardens" (1975) showed cracks in the facade group. Many international tours took their toll, and then broke even on the Atlantic Records recording contract.

To break the thirty years is an eternity for a band. After a successful restart of the group and a DVD in his luggage, it is now called "Montpelier." The liner notes make clear, what story is behind the eight songs: "Back recording together for the first time in 36 years we hope that we have retained some of the essence of Wally music. Some of these tracks were conceived for what would have been our third album for Atlantic Records around 1975 and others were a result of more recent times in the studio. "Old and New in new bottles from an old tape.

Before the band's dissolution, there were already been some changes in the lineup, but this disc recorded with almost all the original members. Basically it can be when listening to the eight numbers say that the music has no patina much less rusted. What is here but under the prog rock genre, doing business is relative. Many moments in the fifty-five minutes are characterized by essences of Country or Southern flair. For God's sake, this description is accurate but style does not mean thatWally presents weak music.

Instruments such as violin, mandolin, slide guitar and pedal steel by Frank Mizen make people curious about the composition and also the often appearing around the piano keyboard is remarkable.In addition, one may, if the opener for almost eight minutes, a dynamic wave caused, won quite a damn playful direction in the melodic department, and even here, the two chorus girls Terry Sullivanand Kate Peters is an honorable mention. With "Sailor" begins a varied cruise, where you definitely know where you stand.

"Sister Moon" is beautiful. From a devout beginning violin class with the track developed until the end of a great electric guitar particular song. In "Thrill Is Gone" and the carousel rotates the other way around. With a lot of drive and powerful liberal guitar parts one might almost speak of a different band, if not for Roy Webber's vocals were good. Speaking of six-string ... the party until the last, almost infernal sounds a hell of a jam party. Super!
After this bombastic sounds that sounds of organ sounds, opened "surfing" on already strange. For the intricate rhythms of drummer Roger Narraway sings Webber with some Ian Dury intonation on the tongue and then sneaks in a nutshell but a smooth easy-fitting blues reggae feel. Oh, one has to fear in front of a Wally-night? Barney finished thunder is heard, but then the combo slides almost to whisper through the dark asphalt. Wonderful, like a Webber and the two women soothe vocally. Quite so quiet it is not, however, through the darkness, as guitars and keyboards again make a stir.

The last two numbers are beautiful. With "Giving" is Webber composed a fantastic song and form their own little memorial set for posterity. "Montpellier" is a successful revival of the group and it's nice that as a Paul Middleton has again felt his musical motive, as he was during the band break including a carpenter.

Line-up:
Roy Webber (vocal, guitar),
Paul Middleton (vocal, bass, slide guitar),
Pete Sage (violin, mandolin, guitar),
Roger Narraway (drums),
Will Jackson (guitar, piano),
Nick Glennie-Smith (keyboards)
Frank Mizen (bass, pedal steel, guitar),
Phil Dean (guitar - # 6)
Rob Reynolds (vocals - # 8)
Teri Sullivan (backing vocals),
Kate Peters (backing vocals)

Follow the link below to buy the album:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15413