Comments on: Karnataka – The Gathering Light

By: Trev Huggins

Trev Huggins — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:42:25 +0000

Yes I agree Tim! That was the old bring on the new I say!..Its fantastic they are still playing the old “hits” but I think the direction the new band have taken is certainly a step up & forward.
The gilmouresque bit (for me anyway) is the solo in moment in time before Troys pipes come in.. & def agree with your Steve Hackett reference too.
TGL light is certainly my fave album of 2010 so far.
Cant wait to see them live again.

By: Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:07:12 +0000

I can see why people who were huge fans of the ethereal atmospheric approach of the old band might not like the more symphonic direction the new lineup has taken. But I believe it would have been a huge mistake to attempt a pastiche of the old style

Trev – I can’t hear much of Dave Gilmour in Enrico’s guitar playing – a bit of Steve Rothery, perhaps, but he reminds me more of post-Genesis Steve Hackett than anything else.

By: Trev Huggins

Trev Huggins — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:26:45 +0000

Im afraid I have to disagree with Russell! I think this album from the “new” Karnataka is nothing short of a masterpiece!
There are hints of the “old” Karnataka sound but this new line up is a breath of fresh air albeit a long time coming! The new material is a far more accomplished product than previous releases.
Enrico Pinnas guitar parts are very Dave Gilmour but there is nothing wrong with that! For me the arrangements & Lisa Furys vocals are the stand out point on this album for me
Karnataka have always shined live on stage I have seen this line up live on the last tour and the old line up back in the DFOD days. Lisa sings the old songs with passion and sympathy to the old versions but stamps her own personality on them. I could not imagine Rachel being able to reciprocate with the Gathering Lights symphonic epic material. I think she has found her niche in The Reasoning and she does that really well.

By: Russell

Russell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:27:54 +0000

I’m afraid I have to disagree! I have listened to ‘Gathering Light’ three times to give a fair chance, but I have to say I am hugely disappointed with it.

It is just too sugary, too predictable and frankly horribly unimaginative. I am a big fan of ‘The Storm’ and ‘Delicate Flame of Desire’, but ‘Gathering Light’ is a let down and will be lucky to get a fourth airing!

I think the ELO reference is quite pertinent, as chunks of it sound too much like ELO meets Titanic. A real shame.