'This CD includes a live version of The Odyssey album by English composer and arranger David Bedford who passed away last year. The album is based on the poem of Homer and this show was recorded on 25 January 1977 for radio and is now available on CD for the first time. IN addition to Bedford the gig featured for example Mike Ratledge (Soft Machine), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Dave Stewart (Egg, National Health), Neal Ardrey, Peter Lemer and Mike Oldfield as well as the Queen’s College Choir. Performed mostly with keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizer and guitar the symphonic music includes elements of both classical music and pop. I had not hear David Bedford’s solo material before, but at least this brings to mind Rick Wakeman at times although this is not really that progressive. Occasionally the mood is peacefully ambient-like, sometimes there is more stuff going on. Some of the tracks also have sort of spacey feel. There are some wonderful, uplifting melodies in there and it is of course a joy to hear Oldfield play his guitar. I’m sure this album will please those who enjoy epic, progressive and symphonic electronic music.'
www.impulse-music.co.uk/davidbedford/ 08.02.12 by Dj Astro
David Bedford is considered one of the UK’s foremost composers and arrangers working both in the classical and pop genre. He first came to the attention of the rock world as a member of Kevin Ayer’s band and the arranger of Kevin’s album Joy Of A Toy. He was also the arranger on an orchestral version of possibly one of the most famous albums ever: Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. David has also worked with other artists notably the Edgar Broughton Band and Roy Harper. His first proper solo album was Nurse’s Song With Elephants for John Peel’s Dandelion Records label in 1972. Further albums for the Virgin label followed including Star’s End and the Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. In 1976 David released The Odyssey, an album that was a musical setting for the play by Homer. This CD is a live performance of The Odyssey that took place at the Royal Albert Hall on the 25th of January 1977. The performance was a star-studded affair and the performance featured amongst others David Bedford, Mike Ratledge (Soft Machine), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Dave Stewart (Egg, National Health), Neal Ardley, Peter Lemer and Mike Oldfield. The performance also featured the Queen’s College Choir. Recorded for broadcast on radio the concert has never been heard since the original performance and a subsequent broadcast meaning this performance is now making its debut on CD.
