Most folks know Rodney Matthews as an acclaimed artist of fantasy/science fiction books and album covers, but I'm sure very few are aware that he's also an accomplished drummer & lyricist as well. In the Bleak Midwinter is the new single from Rodney & friends, and features Oliver Wakeman on keyboards, the son of ex-Yes legend Rick Wakeman. Based on a poem by Christina Rossetti, "In the Bleak Midwinter" is given full prog/symphonic rock treatment here, and alongside Matthews and Wakeman we also have David Mark Pearce (guitars), Steve Amadeo (bass), Pete Coleman (recorder), and vocalists Miv Cameron & Charlotte Dickerson. It's a lovely piece, the singers adding their soothing voices over lush keyboard & guitar tapestries, with a soft rhythmic underpinning allowing for an ethereal, angelic, yet symphonic overall presentation. The song will instantly take you to a snowy, cold, yet beautiful wonderland setting, perfectly represented by Rodney's superb artwork, and for all the prog lovers the middle section is filled with plenty of bombast, including an acrobatic Wakeman synth solo, a sizzling guitar solo from Pearce, and acrobatic rhythms. They offer up three versions here, the full blown track at just over 7-minutes, a short carol edit, and the 'somewhere in between' radio edit. A wonderful piece no matter which version you prefer, and job well done to all who participated!
Track Listing
1) Full Track 7:09
2) Carol Edit 3:58
3) Radio Edit 5:39
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