Mostly Autumn – Folk Prog – United Kingdom
Update: Since I wrote this post in 2014, Mostly Autumn has released six new albums. I have only listened to two of those albums. First Sight of Day released in 2017 and then 2019’s White Rainbow, White Rainbow even became a soundtrack for one of my runs. After listening and writing about Karnataka, whose music is similar to Mostly Autumn’s, I’m looking forward to listening to Mostly Autumn latest release Studio 2. As well as, other albums in their discography.
Dressed in Voices (2014)
Mostly Autumn is Prog Folk band, Prog Archive d
escribes their music as:
… powerful atmospheric rock with a Celtic edge, influenced by PINK FLOYD, DEEP PURPLE and GENESIS, and reminiscent of 70’s FLEETWOOD MAC and FAIRPORT CONVENTION. Their sound incorporates the uses of flute, low and penny whistles, violins and vocal harmonies – over a powerful band, existing of keyboards, two guitarists, bass and drums.
About Mostly Autumn
Mostly Autumn was formed in 1995. Several of the band’s original members had been part of the Pink Floyd/1970s tribute band One Stoned Snowman. In 1999, after several years of touring, Mostly Autumn’s debut album For All We Shared was released. The original line-up of musicians included:
Bryan Josh / electric guitar, vocals, 6 string + 12 string acoustic, e-bow
Heather Findlay / vocals, 6 string acoustic guitar, tamborine
Iain Jennings / keyboards, vocals Liam Davison / additional electric guitar, vocals, 6 string + 12 string acoustic guitar
Bob Faulds / violins
Stuart Carver / bass guitar
Kev Gibbons / low whistle, high whistle
Allan Scott / drums
About Mostly Autumn’s Dressed in Voices
Since then Mostly Autumn has released 10 studio albums. along with 14 live albums and numerous DVDs! They have never signed a contract with a major record label and have made their name with their constant touring! Mostly Autumn’s latest release is Dressed in Voices , which was recently released and is my introduction to the band!
The musician line-up for Mostly Autumn has been in constant flux over the years, there are at least 16 former members of the band listed on the band’s biography page at Wikipedia. The musician line-up that recorded Dressed in Voices is……
Olivia Sparnenn Josh / lead vocals, percussion
Iain Jennings / keyboards, synthesisers, Hammond organ
Liam Davison / guitars, vocals
Anne-Marie Helder / guitars, flute, keyboards, vocals
Andy Smith / bass guitar
Alex Cromerty / drums
Thoughts About Dressed in Voices
On my first listen to Dressed in Voices, I wasn’t sure about the album, since I listen to only a few bands with a female lead singer. But the more I listened to the album the more I became a fan of the vocals of Olivia Sparnenn, now Mrs. Josh! Olivia joined the band in 2005 as a background singer and moved up to the lead vocalist in 2011 when Heather Findlay left the band to embark on a solo career. For me, her vocals rank up there with the best of them couple the with both the fine keyboard and guitars of Bryan Josh and Iain Jennings and well, you get a damn fine band!
So Check Them Out!! And once again, I have a vast back catalog of music to explore!!!