Mellotronists

Because of your detailed review I thought this would be a CD I would 
like.  I picked it up recently and was right.  This is a fantastic 
disc!  I'm only on my second listen but this sounds like one of those 
CDs that only comes along once every year or two where I practically 
wear out the 1's and 0's by listening to it over and over.

thanks
-jim/m400#680

On Jun 20, 2004, at 8:31 AM, Frank wrote:

> One Drop in a Dry World - Maestoso
>
>
>  I recently received my much anticipated copy of "One Drop in a Dry
>  World," the new release from Woolly Wolsenholm and his
>  band, "Maestoso" For those of you not familiar with Woolly, he
>  formerly was the keys player in Barclay James Harvest and is one of
>  the world's best Mellotronists. For all of you Mellotron fans, I will
>  state right off that this is one of the best "Mellotron" albums I
>  have heard in years. However, beyond that this recording is just
>  truly great. Not only is the musicianship first rate, but the songs
>  are well written and will touch the listener on many levels.
>
>  This is the first full studio recording from Woolly in probably
>  twenty years, and whatever was bottled up inside him is presented
>  here for all to hear. As you listen to the recording it is worth
>  reading the lyrics as you go. What first becomes apparent is that
>  these songs reflect the emotions of a man who has gone through some
>  dark periods in his life. They are filled with sadness, melancholy
>  and sardonic humor. Ultimately they leave the listener with a sense
>  of hope, as though the artist has laid his demons out before us and
>  is now prepared to leave them behind. All he needs is a little
>  encouragement
>
>  It all begins with Wooly saying, "Here we go." And we do.
>
>  1. The Bells THE BELLS!
>
>  This is a short instrumental into filled with big Mellotron strings
>  over a sustained synth base and leads us into...
>
>  2. Blood and Bones
>
>  The may be the one of the greatest "Mellotron" tunes I've heard in
>  years and it may be the biggest song Wooly has yet written. It begins
>  with a beautiful acoustic guitar intro and moves into a pounding base
>  line and soaring Mark II or perhaps M300 Strings. Soon comes a
>  beautiful, pastoral interlude (Requiem) that soon launches us back
>  into a full blooded Mellotron assault. From here we get a brief taste
>  of Ian MacDonald Flutes then a repeat of the theme from the "requiem"
>  and finally we are hit with the chorus backed by Mellotron "Russian
>  Choir." Very dark and foreboding! As the song fades we hear
>  Mellotron "Boys Choir" as if after our dark journey, Woolly leaves us
>  with the sound of angelic innocence. The is a Huge Tron tune that
>  will blow you away!
>
>  3. A Waiting Game
>
>  Woolly delivers the first great Christmas song of the year! This one
>  is sure to be in my holiday song rotation from about Labor Day (end
>  of August) through to the New Year. (Woolly gives the
>  commercialization of the holidays a swift kick) And a pretty melody
>  to boot.
>
>  4. It's U
>
>  When you're down and feeling out of control of your life, casting
>  around for someone to blame... look in the mirror. This track was
>  apparently written years back. It opens with jangley guitars and is a
>  straight out rocker that is ultimately uplifting. Perhaps the author
>  wrote a song to himself that we can all identify with.
>
>  5. Souk
>
>  Woolly takes us all shopping in an open air Arab Market. Tremendous
>  Mellotron here with a Mid-Eastern atmosphere. Perhaps Woolly
>  vacationed in Oman and brought us all back a gift.
>
>  6. One Drop in a Dry World
>
>  How to know when your an alcoholic. You get to pay the bill more than
>  once and to learn that enough no longer is. Strong guitar work from
>  Steve Broomhead that reminds me of Robin Trower. Lots of Mellotron
>  Choir toward the end.
>
>  7. Anss (Another Nothing Summer Song)
>
>  In this one Woolly channels his inner Rasta Man and goes on vacation
>  only to bump into Brian Wilson. Fun and hijinks ensue.
>
>  8. End of the Road
>
>  Mid-life Crisis anyone? A man coming to grips with accomplishments
>  unattained as he faces an unsure future. Could Woolly be reflecting
>  on where he perceived his career was before he wrote and released
>  this masterpiece? Once again, excellent guitar work from Steve.
>  Listening to this song I am convinced that Woolly has either spent
>  some time with Brian Wilson recently, or at least has listened to his
>  work. It certainly sounds like a song Wilson could have written at
>  his peak (if his peak was now.) Even the vocals a little.
>
>  9. Explorers
>
>  My take on this: Woolly's thoughts on where he and the band are
>  heading now. This recording is very important to him and the band.
>  Let us wish them good fortune in their journey. Buy the CD... See the
>  show. Help make the trip a successful one.
>
>  10. 2 a.m.
>
>  This song again reminds me of Brian Wilson. Not for the sound or
>  style, but because this is the song that the boy who wrote, "In My
>  Room," at 20 could have written as a man at 55. Woolly tells us what
>  it was like to be alone with his thoughts, living inside himself in
>  the middle of the night. A haunting song of depression. I am sure
>  most of us have had a night like this more than once. Perhaps this is
>  where Woolly reveals the most about himself? This is the most
>  beautiful melody of any song on the CD. Lots of haunting Mellotron
>  strings. Beautiful frettless bass playing by Craig Fletcher sets the
>  atmosphere of the song. This is my favorite!
>
>  11. The Starving People of the World all Thank You For Your Time.
>
>  Repeated over and over until the message sinks in.
>
>  12. Carpet (a four gong conclusion)
>
>  Was this written to BJH? Woolly reflects on what could have been.
>  Someone goofed up. Who's to blame? You decide. Who killed the
>  brotherhood? No one left to share the memories with? The end of the
>  song will remind you of BJH.
>
>  So this is my take on the record. No use delving into the "bonus"
>  tunes here although they are worth listening to. I will review this
>  CD in the near future.
>
>  I think One Drop in a Dry World is an outstanding recording from a
>  man who has been away far to long. I encourage everyone to purchase
>  it and listen to it several times back to back. It just gets better
>  and better. It is obvious that unlike many other artists who have
>  been around for as long as Woolly has, he is not mired in the styles
>  of the 70's, 80's or 90s. This is fresh material and the production
>  is terrific.
>
>  If you are into Mellotrons, you will fall out when you hear this CD.
>  In the CD booklet Woolly lists Mellotron first amongst the many
>  instruments he plays on this CD and it's upfront and all over it but
>  very tastefully utilized. You will see why he may well be the real
>  true, "Master of the Mellotron."
>
>  I would like to ask Woolly for his forgiveness of my review if he
>  doesn't like it, and for my interpretation of his lyrics. Woolly,
>  I've shared some of these journeys in my life, and I am touched by
>  your work. As for the comparisons to Brian Wilson... Please take them
>  as a compliment.
>
>  Frank Stickle 6/16/04
>
>
>
>
>
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