There are moments when you realize that you have just experienced something huge; something you feel has a significance you will remember for a very long time! I have experienced that a few times in my life, and when I have, it has always been a bit overwhelming.
Music has played a part in many of those moments for me. Granted, these moments are not the same as remembering the first time you saw your true love, or the 'firsts' your children experience; those moments far surpass any other, and live forever. Music, though, can be extremely powerful, and make a powerful impression!
Again, the credit goes to Jenny for being the first to really appreciate the work of The Witching Hour. She was a fan long before I was, and has been playing their music around the office and in our van for a long time! I heard the stuff, and knew that it was good, but didn't have the opportunity to sit down and really hear just how good! Trust me on this; when you hear it, and I mean really hear it, you will be blown away!
The Witching Hour is primarily the brainchild of a very talented Denver, CO musician by the name of Kenny James. Kenny is a very accomplished musician who has spent many years as a studio/touring musician, performing with the likes of George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, The Samples, Nina Storey, and many other notable acts. He began his work with The Witching Hour in 1994, after a band that he was touring with decided against using one of his original songs. From that moment on, The Witching Hour became first and foremost in his thoughts. He continues to work as a hired gun with other groups, but his passion belongs to The Witching Hour.
Also a part of The Witching Hour is Kenny's alter-ego, Stormy Chase. Stormy, also known as 'The Uninvited' is a spirit walker, and lives his life with only one purpose: to bring his ghostly image to the stage and perform. Thus, in the spirit of another famous frontman/alter-ego, Alice Cooper, The Witching Hour brings a live performance to the stage that is always entertaining, and very unpredictable! After all, who can tame a Spirit Walker?
The music on Crimson Glory Symphonies is, to be honest, incredible! All of the tracks were recorded live at Red Rocks near Denver, CO! Red Rocks is a legendary amphitheater; my earliest memory of Red Rocks is the U2 concerted recorded there in the early 80's. So, to me, it is impressive to think that a group has achieved the status necessary to play there! I had heard the studio recordings, and knew that the songs were awesome. However, hearing The Witching Hour perform the material live brought new respect for their musicianship! In short, I was blown away! The opening track, 'I Am Corruption', is phenomenal! This live version does everything that you hope for in a live track; it takes the studio version to a level that is impossible to reach in that sterile environment. In fact, I am just as impressed with this live album as I was with Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live! The musicianship is beyond anything that you would expect, and in my estimation, blows every other live album that I've heard since Secret World Live away! The next track, 'The Sparrow', is also phenomenal. The guitars sound phenomenal, the vocals are clear and powerful, and the production value is over the top! In fact, every other song is phenomenal! You won't find one that isn't worth hearing!
I really have been blown away by this recording! As a musician, I can tell that a lot of rehearsal and planning went in to producing this live show, and that a lot of attention to detail was included in setting up the physical aspects of the recording! Self-released projects are not typically done at this level; in fact, I've heard live albums released by national acts that didn't sound this good! Much praise is deserved on the part of Kenny James (for his songwriting/arranging abilities), Stormy Chase (for the showmanship and quality of performance), and for the musicians that performed on Crimson Glory Symphonies. Honorable mention goes to background vocalist Burgandy Brown for her stellar performance on this album!
Keep your eyes open for the work of The Witching Hour. In my estimation, they are setting the bar very high; Independent bands will really have to go to great lengths to match the level of professionalism and quality found on Crimson Glory Symphonies! Find a copy for yourself as soon as humanly possible, and join the legion of fans bowing to the greatness that is The Witching Hour!---Mark Lush, MWB 1/19/04 *Listen to The Witching Hour on MWB RADIO!
Midwest Bands review '04
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.kennyjames.com
Track List:
1. Intro/I Am Corruption
2. The Sparrow
3. Seeds of Nothing
4. Fear
5. Ignore the Screams
6. My Mission
7. Judgment Day
8. Blank Track
9. Blank Track
10. Blank Track
11. Blank Track
12. Blank Track
13. Sealed with a Kiss (studio rough mix)
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
Music has played a part in many of those moments for me. Granted, these moments are not the same as remembering the first time you saw your true love, or the 'firsts' your children experience; those moments far surpass any other, and live forever. Music, though, can be extremely powerful, and make a powerful impression!
Again, the credit goes to Jenny for being the first to really appreciate the work of The Witching Hour. She was a fan long before I was, and has been playing their music around the office and in our van for a long time! I heard the stuff, and knew that it was good, but didn't have the opportunity to sit down and really hear just how good! Trust me on this; when you hear it, and I mean really hear it, you will be blown away!
The Witching Hour is primarily the brainchild of a very talented Denver, CO musician by the name of Kenny James. Kenny is a very accomplished musician who has spent many years as a studio/touring musician, performing with the likes of George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, The Samples, Nina Storey, and many other notable acts. He began his work with The Witching Hour in 1994, after a band that he was touring with decided against using one of his original songs. From that moment on, The Witching Hour became first and foremost in his thoughts. He continues to work as a hired gun with other groups, but his passion belongs to The Witching Hour.
Also a part of The Witching Hour is Kenny's alter-ego, Stormy Chase. Stormy, also known as 'The Uninvited' is a spirit walker, and lives his life with only one purpose: to bring his ghostly image to the stage and perform. Thus, in the spirit of another famous frontman/alter-ego, Alice Cooper, The Witching Hour brings a live performance to the stage that is always entertaining, and very unpredictable! After all, who can tame a Spirit Walker?
The music on Crimson Glory Symphonies is, to be honest, incredible! All of the tracks were recorded live at Red Rocks near Denver, CO! Red Rocks is a legendary amphitheater; my earliest memory of Red Rocks is the U2 concerted recorded there in the early 80's. So, to me, it is impressive to think that a group has achieved the status necessary to play there! I had heard the studio recordings, and knew that the songs were awesome. However, hearing The Witching Hour perform the material live brought new respect for their musicianship! In short, I was blown away! The opening track, 'I Am Corruption', is phenomenal! This live version does everything that you hope for in a live track; it takes the studio version to a level that is impossible to reach in that sterile environment. In fact, I am just as impressed with this live album as I was with Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live! The musicianship is beyond anything that you would expect, and in my estimation, blows every other live album that I've heard since Secret World Live away! The next track, 'The Sparrow', is also phenomenal. The guitars sound phenomenal, the vocals are clear and powerful, and the production value is over the top! In fact, every other song is phenomenal! You won't find one that isn't worth hearing!
I really have been blown away by this recording! As a musician, I can tell that a lot of rehearsal and planning went in to producing this live show, and that a lot of attention to detail was included in setting up the physical aspects of the recording! Self-released projects are not typically done at this level; in fact, I've heard live albums released by national acts that didn't sound this good! Much praise is deserved on the part of Kenny James (for his songwriting/arranging abilities), Stormy Chase (for the showmanship and quality of performance), and for the musicians that performed on Crimson Glory Symphonies. Honorable mention goes to background vocalist Burgandy Brown for her stellar performance on this album!
Keep your eyes open for the work of The Witching Hour. In my estimation, they are setting the bar very high; Independent bands will really have to go to great lengths to match the level of professionalism and quality found on Crimson Glory Symphonies! Find a copy for yourself as soon as humanly possible, and join the legion of fans bowing to the greatness that is The Witching Hour!---Mark Lush, MWB 1/19/04 *Listen to The Witching Hour on MWB RADIO!
Midwest Bands review '04
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.kennyjames.com
Track List:
1. Intro/I Am Corruption
2. The Sparrow
3. Seeds of Nothing
4. Fear
5. Ignore the Screams
6. My Mission
7. Judgment Day
8. Blank Track
9. Blank Track
10. Blank Track
11. Blank Track
12. Blank Track
13. Sealed with a Kiss (studio rough mix)
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- ROCK: Hard Rock
- ELECTRONIC: Industrial
- TYPE: LIVE RECORDINGS