And when I discovered much to my horror that the fellow I saw in the narthex in the bright red wrapping-paper-patterned suit and tie was the pastor and that he had no intention of covering any of that up with vestments for the upcoming service, I nevertheless stayed on and rode the boat with everyone else. While I would normally be horrified by beginning worship at such a holy time with, 'Good evening! Oh, we can do better than that! GOOD EVENING!!' I can still sit there quietly without participating in such a garden party orgy in front of the manger. While I miss the days of liturgical and musical propriety and am still agape at some things I see going on, I nevertheless made it through all services without leaving in disgust this time. (Notice that we organists mention the organ and the playing long before mentioning the sermon, if at all.) And the last two on the big Schlicker were top-notch, which is why I go in the first place. One was led by a horribly inadequate Reuter being played more than adequately. One service was led by an adequate Aeolian-Skinner being played more than adequately. See here and here for previous experiences. I attended four services in three neo-Gothic edifices, one of which was my first visit. Covid protocols notwithstanding, it was a nice evening. Four services in three churches, all capped by playing a ditty or two for the last one. This album is a must-listen for anyone who has either a passion for 70s fusion or a penchant for Dr Who or ideally even both.I enjoyed another Christmas Eve of church hopping this year. Fortunately, the pace is eased for this finale, I needed to come down gently after these frenetic but exhilarating 56 minutes. This time itвЂ™s Carter Arrington who provides the virtuosity with soloing that recalls Larry CarltonвЂ™s 70s sound. The album bows out with вЂThe CashectomyвЂ™ and the last of five out of eleven tracks that feature guitar. Later Chad Wackerman drums on the briefly intense trio piece вЂSt GandalfвЂ™s, itвЂ™s definitely a futuristic blast.

The odd track out is вЂThank You, ThatвЂ™s What I Wanted To KnowвЂ¦вЂ™ Croft takes his foot off the pedal for a more contemplative piece, multiple keyboard layers and piano are interspersed by Andy Davies on trumpet. Shimmering keyboard textures are countered with a doom-laden riff before the textures shift once and the trumpet takes on a sheen reminiscent of Art Farmer. HeвЂ™s performed on multiple film soundtracks, Back to the Future, Star Trek and Poltergeist to name a few. вЂS.A.D (Spatial Awareness Disease)вЂ™, surely an alternative name for Covid, offers a stylistic change and brings in the trumpet of Allen Vizzutti. Another standout track follows, вЂBrockвЂ™ which features the amazing flute and piccolo playing of Gareth Lockrane, the lightness and fluidity of it allows the song to bounce along then fly while another of CroftвЂ™s regular musical companions, bassist Flo Moore adds a touch of Jaco inspired fusion. On the second and third listen itвЂ™s possible to cast all these echoes aside and just enjoy the stunning virtuosity of this very satisfying earworm. It recalls the cosmic drive of the Mahavishnu Orchestra or Billy Cobham of the mid-70s as well as Steely Dan, thereвЂ™s even a whiff of Toto about it. The title track вЂFar And Distant ThingsвЂ™ is one of the most distinctive tunes on the album, Frank Gambale of Chick Corea Elektric Band fame leads the way with a powerfully accurate guitar that propels everything forward with vital energy and precision. He invited his favourite UK musicians to join him but as the project developed, evolved and like everything else was interrupted by Covid he decided to send out messages to some lifelong figures of inspiration: Randy Brecker, Frank Gambale, Chad Wackerman, Allen Vizzutti and Carter Arrington who all said yes! Simple really. Croft has got himself an all-star lineup for this record.

The promo video for the title track references some of these, 1950s sci-fi, Space Ghost, Dr Who, Star Trek, The Twilight Zone and even the landscapes of the go-to artist for prog-rock album covers, Roger Dean.

This album builds on what he achieved on that first outing and similarly pulls together a cornucopia of influences. Far and Distant Things is the second album from keyboard player and composer Benjamin Croft, it follows his 2019 debut 10 Reasons toвЂ¦ which saw him pay homage to some of his cultural heroes from cinema and jazz fusion.

Finale 2014.5 piano pedal