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THE WHEEL OF TIME
Track list: A for the Wheel of Time (3.36); Return to Edmonds Field (3.55); A Song for Moraine (3.33); Travelling the Ways (3.05); Spears and Buckler (1.22); Dream Walker (2.04); The Knowledge of the Wise
(1.09); The Winespring Reel (4.32); The Halls of Tar Valon (0:57); Search for the Black Ajah (5.05); Ladies of the Tower (3.11); The Game of the Houses (3.44); Voyage of the Sea Folk (3.45); Heart of the Wolf
(1.09); Journey Through the Waste (0.56); Lan the Warder (1.17); Match of the Trollocs (3.14); Rand's Theme (Fanfare for the Dragon Reborn) (4.30); The Aiel Approach (Dahl of Chant) (2.10).
The inspiration for the 'Wheel of Time' comes from the series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.
The music was initially written as a soundtrack for the computer game, and was a collaboration between Robert Berry, Lief Sorbye (Tempest) and Andy Frazier - all of who appear on the album. This 'soundtrack' album contains extensive reworkings of all the tunes that were originally packaged with the game, together with several new ones and, while much of the music may be familiar to gamers, the versions here have been significantly updated and improved.
The fact that the CD is a re appraisal of the game soundtrack probably goes a long way towards explaining why there are so many short tracks present, as these tend to be ideally suited to a gaming environment.
It also accounts for the fact that there are so few actual songs - out of a total of nineteen tracks, only four have any vocal content , and of these two are more in the way of chants than songs.
The music itself well played and produced, and the style given to it has very much a Celtic flavour, which anyone familiar with Tempest will no doubt be familiar with.
This in itself may not however please some fans of the books, since it could be argued that a rather narrow perspective has been taken here, particularly when one considers that the world encompassed in the novels is far wider than may be suggested by this neo-celtic excursion. That said, it is important to bear in mind that this album is inspired by the books and is more of an attempt to convey musically the ideas and moods of the story rather than being an attempt to retell the story itself.
I am not going to attempt a track by track analysis, since the large number of tracks coupled with the short duration of many of them, seems to make this approach redundant, instead I will offer a few thoughts about
what were for me some of the more notable aspects of the performance.
I begin with the opening track
'A Theme for the Wheel of Time', which for me is one of the strongest tracks featured. This is one of the few actual songs on the album, and it gets underway with a striking violin theme which is soon joined by a strong vocal line, the combined effect of which is very reminiscent of 'Magnum', at times almost uncomfortably so. As the track progresses the addition of percussion and guitar work adds a heavier edge to the sound, and the energy carried by the soaring violin play conjures up memories of some of the early work of Solstice.
The other major vocal piece featured is 'Ladies of the Tower'.
Musically this track is fairly slow moving, making strong use of rhythmical effects to convey an air of tension, but it would lack any real depth were it not for the superb talents of Lisa Bouchelle ('Mastermind') whose clear and precise singing really transforms the song into something worthwhile.
'The Winespring Reel' is a perfect example of a track where this album gets everything absolutely right.
The interplay between folk and rock elements is very apparent as the violin, percussion and guitars work in perfect harmony to strike up a lively dance tune. Having developed the main theme, there is time to draw breath as the pace slows in the second half of the track, only for everything to be put back together with renewed vigour in the closing section. The lead guitar provides some nice progressive elements, and the way it is interlaced with some very fine fiddle work, adds considerably to the appeal of this piece as a whole.
Similarly of note is 'Voyage of the Sea Folk' which again seems to draw strongly from folk sources, and while initially this track seems as if it might be a little too much on the subdued side it suddenly jumps off
at a tangent and follows an altogether more boisterous course - the inclusion of bagpipe sounds, while not my favourite instrument by any means, does work very well.
If I had to point a finger at one area where I feel less happy about this album, it would have to be with regard to the number of sub two minute tracks featured (six in all, and two only just over).
As I mentioned earlier these are no doubt a throwback to the musical origins of this release, but perhaps more could have been achieved by developing fewer themes more fully rather than reworking all of the elements from the game, which is what appears to have been done.
However, all things considered I think it is fair to say that the album achieves its aim of conjuring up visions of the fantasy world of 'Wheel of Time', and I mean no disrespect by saying that it does seem to make
ideal back ground accompaniment for reading any fantasy novels. While the music may not be ground breaking stuff for many progressive rock fans, I believe anyone who enjoys Celtic or medieval based
instrumental rock should find enough here to satisfy.
Simon 4th December 2001
If you are interested in finding out more about The Wheel of Time, or you would like to hear some of the tracks as they appear, please visit www.wheeloftime.com
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