Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Rothery, Steve
Label: Century Media
Release: 2015
Runtime: 55:17
Rating: 4.5/5
»The Ghosts Of Pripyat« is the studio debut of Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery, as far as his solo career goes. He has already released two highly intriguing live albums, before heading into the studio with his backing band to start recording. One of the best (and not just prog rock) guitarists of all time dedicated his studio debut to the Ukrainian city of Pripyat, which was hit hard by the nuclear disaster at nearby Chernobyl in 1986. Its tragic consequences are still felt by the city’s residents today.
For his first studio solo venture, Mr. Rothery gathered a crew of superb musicians around him, including rhythm guitarist Dave Foster (Mr. So & So), bassist Yatim Halimi (Panic Room), drummer Leon Parr (ex-Mosque) and keyboardist Roccardo Romano (Ranestrane). Together they recorded an excellent instrumental album where his trademark guitar approach, shaped above all by such guitar giants as David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis) and Andy Latimer (Camel), shines in all its glory. Rothery did get offers to record a solo album in the past, twice in fact, but nothing ever came of them. The first offer came during the recording of the Marillion masterpiece »Misplaced Childhood« (1985)« and the second during the recording of the equally cult concept album »Brave« (1994). In the nineties he instead opted for the folk rock project The Wishing Tree, where he recorded two albums in collaboration with singer Hannah Stobart.
With Marillion once again taking a somewhat longer break from working on a new studio album, Steve finally seized the golden opportunity to record the long-awaited studio debut under his own steam. You could already get a first taste of what the »The Ghosts Of Pripyat« compositions would be like from Rothery’s two live albums, which hinted at a deeply ambient record with standout guitar passages from a great virtuoso. That means most of the compositions, while Rothery ‘weaves’ his specific, extremely subtle solos, are suffused with a melancholic and nostalgic, at times even romantic character, so typical of most of the maestro’s best past achievements with Marillion.
The whole album is a real treat for the ears, but the most splendid moments on »Ghosts Of Pripyat« include the title track, »White Pass« and the opener »Morpheus«, which also came out as a single and features none other than Steve Hackett as a guest. On the gripping epic »Old Man of the Sea«, another one of the highlights, the leading patron of modern prog rock, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), shows up with a guitar solo of his own. »Kendris« is also a highly interesting and exciting piece that at times recalls Pink Floyd from the era of the album »Meddle« (1971), while also carrying a slight Eastern European ethnic flavor.
»The Ghosts Of Pripyat« perfectly captures the essence of Rothery’s refined guitar genius, so that even though it’s entirely instrumental, each composition touches the listener’s soul in the most emotional way possible, while Steve’s bandmates skillfully keep up a fitting instrumental ‘proving ground’ for the virtuoso’s subtle masterpieces the whole way through. Listening to this album, which may herald the start of a magnificent solo career for one of the best and at the same time most overlooked guitarists of our time, all admirers of guitar subtlety and fans of bands led by Marillion, Pink Floyd and Camel, where this kind of melancholic subtlety has always found its own special expression, will, as expected, enjoy it the most.
Line-up
Steve Rothery – guitar
Dave Foster – guitar
Riccardo Romano – keyboards
Yatim Halimi – bass guitar
Leon Parr – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Steve Hackett – guitar solo (1)
Steven Wilson – guitar solo (3)
Production
Steve Rothery
Track list
1. Morpheus (7:55)
2. Kendris (6:09)
3. Old Man Of The Sea (11:42)
4. White Pass (7:51)
5. Yesterday’s Hero (7:21)
6. Summer’s End (8:47)
7. The Ghosts Of Pripyat (5:32)
