Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Alan Ridout (1934-1996) sounds like an interesting composer: "his interests were wide, ranging from medieval polyphony to electronic music and serialism: his 'Psalm For Sine Wave Generators' (1959) was one of the first pieces of electronic music by an English composer. He also wrote a number of pieces in the 31-tone temperament, using microtones." Having discovered this I was not sure if the 72 minutes of this CD were going to drag or fly. I need not have worried. This recital opens with four processions that took me back to my youth when I spent far too much time listening to Keith Emerson and The Nice. Could this be a marketing opportunity for Lammas Records? Are there many other retired prog-rockers eager to enjoy contemporary organ music? Perhaps not. The next sequence reflects Ridout's Catholicism, being "The Fourteen Stations Of The Cross" which are, appropriately, deeply moving. After the Passion comes the Resurrection which we celebrate with an "Easter Fanfare" and a "Dance Suite", all of which are played with gusto by Robert Crowley. This is not always easy listening but I found it worth the effort.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.