Lightspeed: Delta

‘Hey Simon,’ I hear you ask, ‘didn’t this come out ages ago? Didn’t Pete Pardo do a video review’? Yes ... kind of and yes would be the answer, he did here.
but, and here’s the exciting news Delta is getting a European release and the place to go is here.
and you should do this imminently before they all disappear because this is an excellent album.

On Delta bassist/guitarist Rod Chappell (Papa Roddy!)is joined by long-time vocalist John Persichini, fellow singer Wilmer Waarbroek, guitarist Tommy Denander, drummer Holland Malmrose and on keyboards Howard Helm (who was also a member of 70s pomp rockers Zon along with Rod). There is a pretty long list of friends and guests such as Oliver Wakeman (Yes etc), Luis Conte everyone you have ever heard of), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Norda Mullen (the Moody Blues) and Grand Design’s Janne Stark.

I have not heard Lightspeed’s first two albums, but this is an error I plan to rectify with haste as Delta is a prime example of 1970’s style pomp somewhat in the style of Styx and Kansas �" probably more Styx or even Saga but you get the picture. It’s full of a progressive AOR/melodic rock/pomp vibe that draws the listener in and doesn’t let go.

Straight from the quite disconcerting “hello..hello…� at the beginning all the way through to the end of Wish You Well (The Gweed) there is so much to enjoy on Delta. The vocals are excellent, the guitars are superb and the keys are utterly sublime. Despite being slightly over 71 minutes long there’s no fat on offer, every moment is essential and vibrant.

It is quite difficult to pick out individual tracks as a) they are all good and b) this is one of those albums you need to set aside time for. That said, the double whammy of "Cast My Cares (to the wind)" and "If I Fall Back (Rick’s Cottage)" towards the end of ‘Side 1’ are superbly catchy. ‘Side 1’ on a single CD? What’s all that about? I asked Pappa Roddy himself �" ‘the reason I separated Delta into Side One and Side Two is that Side One is mostly a collection of Songs and Side Two is actually a single concept where all of the Songs are interrelated. (Although a few of the Songs from Side one sneak into some of the cracks and crevasses of Side Two, but that just me being a 70's guy.)’

Delta has barely left my CD player since I received it which is interesting given that as we all know, I rarely climb into the prog seat. I appear to be stuck there and am delighted to remain. Seriously though, if you like pomp/prog in the style of Saga go support this independent band and tell your friends too.

Track Listing:
Side 1

1. Above and Beyond
2. Constant Change
3. Sands of Time
4. Cast My Cares (to the wind)
5. If I Fall Back (Rick’s Cottage)
6. Waiting
7. Different Light

Side 2

1. On My Way
2. Sunrise
3. Endless Sky
4. Time Stand Still
5. Maybe Someday
6. Onward
7. Wish You Well (The Gweed)

Added: February 19th 2026
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 25
Language: english

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