MP3 Ken Baird - Further Out

Fifth solo CD by this Canadian Singer/Songwriter/Keyboardist with a strong progressive rock influence.

9 MP3 Songs in this album (43:59) !
Related styles: ROCK: Progressive Rock, NEW AGE: Progressive Electronic

People who are interested in Mike Oldfield Genesis IQ should consider this download.


Details:
Points of reference for the new Ken Baird album FURTHER OUT could be TIMOTHY PURE meets THE BLUE NILE. Stupid Dream-era Porcupine Tree meets the Mike Oldfield Crises-era. As you can see, Ken Baird has a small but loyal following here on progarchives.com, which is unfortunate because Ken deserves a larger audience. This is as good, if not better than most anything coming from bands such as The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard. For one thing, Ken has an excellent voice that I cannot compare to anyone for the life of me. Ken Baird's keyboard style reminds me of Tony Banks with the more grandiose stylings of Eddie Rayner from Split Enz and maybe a little Gary Brooker of Procol Harum for some class. FURTHER OUT is definitely music for the backroads or a long drive on a sunny day. FURTHER OUT is worth buying for the title track alone. One of the finest slabs of modern prog.rock I've heard in some time(comparable in quality to 3rDegree's Cautionary Tale...see my review). For you drummers out there, the title track must be heard for the precision drumming of one Chris Lamont. Keyboardists take note as well. Sue Fraser(a long time collaborator) has a voice not unlike Amanda Parsons meets Maggie Reilly. Ken's composition style is similar to that of THE ENID, although Ken writes songs instead pieces(notwithstanding the masterpiece title track _Further Out_...a real gem). A solid 4 stars, 5 stars for the title track.
Make this Ken Baird CD a priority to check out in 2009. One of the progarchives.com best kept secrets.

Review by Gooner at www.progarchives.com

I certainly agree with what Gooner has already said in his review about this album. For me Ken Baird is first and foremost a song writer.Ken is also a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.And he takes some great photos as well.There's something about his lyrics,songs and pictures that all seem to be connected.They all make me think and feel good at the same time.I felt "that" strongly with his previous release "Martin Road",both albums take me to a warm,safe place as odd as that sounds.It's about memories and the everyday things in life that he has the ability to make more meaningful through his lyrics,music and pictures. "Spinning Wheels" has such a pleasant soundscape as Susan comes in vocally.Lots of piano here as it settles.Ken comes in singing before 2 minutes.Great sound. Gorgeous guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in as organ follows.More incredible guitar after 5 minutes to the end.One of my favourite songs for sure. "A Thousand Years" opens with piano as vocals come in.This is sad and beautiful.Children start to sing before 1 1/2 minutes.Themes are repeated.Great tune. "The Sound Of Rain" is led by keyboards and drums as vocals come in.It gets fuller sounding a minute in as contrasts continue. "Stainless Skies" is another favourite of mine.A feel-good track that opens with some good guitar and drums. "Where I Came From" is classic Baird,check out the lyrics. "I'll tell you where i came from,the town was small but the roads were long.I fell into life,i fell into yours and though i mean't well, i was not strong".Penny Whistle before 2 minutes.Guitar a minute later. "As The Highway Greets A Friend" is fantastic! A heavier rhythm section on this one.Vocals come in.Piano after a minute as that chunky bass continues.It settles after 2 1/2 minutes with some excellent guitar and drumming. "Reflections In The Lake" is basically Ken doing it all solo.A moving track with keyboards,piano and fragile vocals.Beautiful. "Everything To Lose" has such meaningful lyrics.Piano and organ to open as vocals come in.The tempo and mood shifts a lot in this one.Can't help but think of Tony Banks before a minute.Themes are repeated.The vocals soar 5 minutes in. "Further Out" might be the most ambitous song Ken has done.By far the longest at 10 minutes and my favourite.Amazing lyrics and the mood that is set here is so uplifting.The song turns spacey after 4 minutes as the melody stops.Sounds like TANGERINE DREAM 5 1/2 minutes in as the synths pulse and the drums start to put on a show.Incredible section! Susan comes in vocally after 7 1/2 minutes. A solid 4 stars,i still prefer "Martin Road" slightly but it might be the fact i have more history with it.If you can get either one don't hesitate.Heart music.

Review by sinkadotentree at progarchives.com