 On
Kingdom the journey is one of great discovery as the characters leave
home and hearth and venture into lands unknown in search of a great prize.
What happens on the journey and their return home is the story and the
music tells it all.
In ancient Caledonia, from the ocean you travel north over the craggy
cliffs and inland past the Clyde toward Ben Nevis. There you will find the
Kingdom. Brave warriors with true hearts and beautiful women with red hair
and green eyes that have the power of magik. The title track
Kingdom is the starting point for
your incredible journey. A pronounced rhythm and a strong
piano/calliope-like score is the guide for this introduction.
The voyage is begun as you travel to distant shores on the king’s quest.
You can feel the angry touch of the sea as your little ship jounces toward
the north east. You have great fear and yet your hope remains firm.
Distant Shores is a strong,
energetic tune with a powerful piano lead and potent percussion.
On the track
Old Days, Old Friends,
unexpectedly as you make for shore you see your old comrade, shipwrecked
these ten long years, waving to you like a crazy man. He asks of home and
kin and you have nothing but good news for him. Greater still he announces
he will join you on your mission.
On
Whispering Wind there is a sense
of despair as you lose the battle. You stand defeated but not yet
vanquished. The wind carries a reminder of the green-eyed beauty you left
behind and you are renewed. Sad and dramatic sounds on this one as a
blowing wind and a sophisticated synthesizer breathe life into McGowan’s
elaborate composition. This is one of my favorite cuts on Kingdom.
Your old friend reminds you of a strategy used by your ancestors. A plan
begins to form and you know that you can conquer the enemy and bring about
success for the mission.
Ancient Echoes is the memories
that will set you free. This is a gentle tune with a medium tempo and a
optimistic feel. The hero will succeed.
The Long Journey Home, the best
cut on the album is a triumphant theme. Bright, cheerful and again,
dramatic as you find your way home again. This is pomp and circumstance,
medieval style. Currents of bright sound flow like waves on the ocean. The
journey has come full circle.
Tim McGowan grew up in Scotland in a family of musicians. He wrote
his first song at the age of six while the rest of us were still in
kindergarten. After college he found the “magik” in the synthesizer and
enjoyed a bit of success with his band Jeopardy. His years in the theatre
might be responsible for the dramatic influence in his music.
Tim has written film scores, scripts and of course New Age soundscapes.
McGowan’s music is the perfect soundtrack for a Lawhead novel or just an
adventure of the mind. He could be easily compared to David Arkenstone or
Chris Spheeris, but retains his own unique method. Using simple song
titles he permits us the pleasure as well as the challenge of writing our
own stories. I like that.
Rating: Very Good
Tim
McGowan
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