PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
***Ex King-Crimson Violinist’s Vital New ‘Sign Of The Crow’ Studio Album Released August 5th on Noisy Records / London Lexington CD Launch Gig Confirmed For 9th August***
The David Cross Band’s stunning sixth studio album ‘Sign Of The Crow’, set for release on Noisy Records on August 5th is a consummate, often complicated, powerful progressive rock record, expertly recorded by virtuoso musicians patently at the peak of their powers. ‘Sign Of The Crow’, which was composed by the band’s core trio of electric violinist David Cross, guitarist Paul Clark and bassist Mick Paul, is a deeply atmospheric, eclectic collection of glorious, evocative compositions. A video for ‘Starfall’ (radio edit) , the first single to be taken from the album, has already been filmed and can be seen below.
King Crimson lyricist Richard Palmer-James, who contributed the lyrics for The David Cross Band album ‘Closer Than Skin’ (2005) has collaborated once again to create the dark and beautiful high impact lyrics, evoking huge events and deep feelings. Cross states that “There are strong binary images within the album: darkness/light, right/wrong, heaven/hell, fire/water and recurring themes: shadow, sunset, travelling, strangers, kindness.”
The central theme of ‘Sign Of The Crow’ is pulled together in the final track, ‘Rain Rain’, inspired by David’s childhood memory of how his grandmother repeatedly chanted ‘Rain rain, go away, come again another day’ on the day she died and how this became linked to the misery of personal loss. “I didn’t really understand what had happened but I could see the light of my family suddenly dimmed by her death and knew then that all of us live our lives within that shadow – the crow is never far away”.
David Cross came to prominence in 1972 when he, Jonn Wetton, Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir all responded to Robert Fripp’s invitation to join the new version of King Crimson, which recorded the legendary albums ‘Larks Tongues In Aspic’ (1973), ‘Starless And Bible Black’ and ‘Red’ (both 1974). Although all the various versions of King Crimson have had their particular strengths and received great respect from the fans, this specific line-up of the band has gained a near mythic status over the years. After Fripp disbanded King Crimson in 1974, David became immersed in education and theatre during the following decade, gaining a Master’s degree, writing and acting in plays (for which he also composed the music), as well as guesting on albums such as ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’ by Clearlight.
This pioneer of rock violin then formed The David Cross Band in the mid-80s, releasing the group’s debut album, ‘Memos From Purgatory’, in 1989. In between recording and releasing his own band’s LPs (on his own Noisy Records label since 1999), David has also produced and performed on various other band’s singles and albums (including Radius and Stickmen), plus put down a brace of Electric Chamber music albums. He most notably hooked up with Robert Fripp once again last year to record the gorgeous instrumental soundscape ‘Starless Starlight’ (50/50 collaboration) album, released on Noisy Records in April 2015.
The technically excellent David Cross Band, whose line-up has been comprised of expressive vocalist Jinian Wilde, leading drummer Craig Blundell, guitarist Paul Clark and bassist Mick Paul since 2008, have confirmed a London album launch concert on Tuesday August 9th at The Lexington in Islington. Don’t miss the chance to catch this awesome ensemble, along with special guest electric saxophonist David Jackson (of Van Der Graaf Generator fame), performing their landmark ‘Sign Of The Crow’ album, live.
There is also a short trailer about the album below.
