Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Sylvan, Nad
Label: Inside Out Records
Release: 2015
Length: 70:33
Rating: 4.5/5
Nad Sylvan, born Hugh Erik Stewart, is a charismatic singer of mixed Swedish-American descent. Prog rock fans know him best from his work with prog guru Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings, Transatlantic), with whom he founded Agents of Mercy, and especially from his hugely successful partnership with legendary guitarist Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis), with whom he’s lately been reviving the magic of classic Genesis.
So far Nad has recorded two solo albums and put out one album as part of the interesting Unifaun project, which in many ways sounded a lot like classic Genesis. After a few years of experimenting with all sorts of musical influences, prog rock suited him again, which is worth knowing for anyone who might not be aware of his thoroughly eclectic taste and his interest in all kinds of genres (his main vocal heroes aren’t just Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins but also Glenn Hughes, since he’s reportedly a huge Trapeze fan).
Sylvan’s theatrical vocals sound so much like a fusion of Gabriel and Collins that after a hugely successful tour packed with fresh live takes on beloved Genesis standards from the classic era, Steve Hackett decided to stretch their collaboration out as long as he possibly could.
»Courting The Widow« is Nad’s third solo outing and the follow-up to 2003’s »Sylvanite«. Mr. Sylvan, who on top of his vocals also played some keyboards and guitars, invited maestro Hackett, old pal Stolt and the rest of the brothers-in-arms from Steve’s solo band (bassist Nick Beggs, keyboardist Roger King, woodwind player Rob Townsend and drummer Gary O’Toole), plus American drummer Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, ex-Spock’s Beard), Swedish bassist Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Karmakanic) and seasoned American drummer Doane Perry (Jethro Tull). With names like that in the room, it’s no surprise that the level of sonic sophistication, white-hot virtuosity and arranging brilliance is enviable.
Nad can be especially proud of »Echoes of Ekwabet«, the 22-minute epic »To Turn The Other Side« (which isn’t a new »Supper’s Ready« but has a similar atmospheric charge), and the closing treat »Long Slow Crash Landing«. The lyrics are dominated by epic sea voyages and assorted nautical mishaps, which isn’t all that strange for a theatrical, glammed-up singer who likes to cast himself on stage as a sort of vampire pirate. Otherwise, every composition on the album is the real deal, old-school symphonic prog in the vein of Hackett-era Genesis, and at times it feels like the legendary band has risen from the dead. Even the production has a distinctly old-school flavor.
Anyone who’s kept an eye on Nad Sylvan’s musical activities in recent years won’t be overly surprised that »Courting The Widow« sounds like some never-released Genesis album from somewhere between 1971 and 1977, one where, besides the theatrically inclined vocal powerhouse, maestro Hackett and the rest of the players from his solo band take the key roles. Hackett’s presence is exactly what gives »Courting The Widow« all the legitimacy it needs, so this excellent album can proclaim itself, without a shred of shame, the ambient, if not spiritual, successor to Genesis’ epic legacy.
Lineup
Nad Sylvan – vocals, keyboards, guitar
Steve Hackettt – guitar
Roine Stolt – guitar
Nick Beggs – bass guitar, backing vocals
Roger King – keyboards
Gary O’Toole – drums
Rob Townsend – flute, tenor saxophone
Nick D’Virgilio – drums
Doane Perry – drums
Lars Drugge – guitar
Jade Ell – backing vocals
Annbjørg Lien -violin
Production
Nad Sylvan
Tracklist
1. Carry Me Home
2. Courting The Widow
3. Echoes Of Ekwabet
4. To Turn The Other Side
5. Ship’s Cat
6. The Killing Of The Calm
7. Where The Martyr Carved His Name
8. Long Slow Crash Landing
