SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TERRY DRAPER – IN THE BEGINNING

TERRY DRAPER
IN THE BEGINNING
TERRY TUNES RECORDS

Last year Terry Draper released Bread and Cirkus, a more political album in which he commented on what he was observing. His latest release, In The Beginning, is an album of reflection and the inner self. Some of the songs are older and could not find their way onto previous albums, but Draper has taken all of these songs and discovered that they fit together perfectly. It is a brilliant album from beginning to end.

In The Beginning opens with the title track which seems to be one of the most recent songs in the collection. It is a brilliant continuation from Bread And Cirkus in that here Draper is looking to the long past for answers that might assist today’s chaos. Later, on “Pigs Ears Into Purses” Draper addresses the importance of music and the difficulties in writing and expressing himself. The title is based on a wonderful expression I have not heard for a long time (‘a sow’s ear into a silk purse’).

There are also beautiful love songs in the collection. Draper has a beautiful way of writing lyrics and expressing himself. He also resurrects some lost gems. “Lost Without You” is from 1977 and “Diamonds Of The Mind” is from 1976, both lost opportunities for Klaatu. These songs are absolutely brilliant, and it is great that he has rescued them. “For The Few Who Couldn’t Be Friends” is from 1979 and Klaatu’s loss for Endangered Species is In The Beginning’s gain.

The album ends with the very dramatic “Lost At Sea”. Draper plays the majority of instruments throughout, but he has some help here and there. “Lost At Sea” features Jamie Grant on guitar and Brenda Webb on backing vocals. The result is the strongest song in the collection. Lyrically and musically, this is an astounding song, with layered sounds and strong melody. It borders prog rock and although a recent composition, this song would have fit on a Klaatu album better than any other songs here.

In The Beginning is fantastic. Draper is a talented artist who just keeps getting better and better. The sleeve and illustrations in the lyric book are absolutely beautiful and Draper seems to be going back in time, by producing an album, not a collection of songs

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