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Tempest 10th Anniversary Compilation Review by Gary Hill The latest release from Celtic prog band Tempest, this CD is a compilation, but in an unusual way. Although these are all older Tempest songs, they are new performances of those songs. The music on the album deftly combines traditional music with rock, often showing some strong prog elements. Tempest is John Land, Adolfo Lazo, Lief Sorbye, Dave Parnall and Michael Mullen. They are joined on this album by Robert Berry. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 2 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years .

Track by Track Review

You Jacobites By Name A strong rocking intro with major Celtic textures gives way to a nearly acapella segment before rocking out hard in a Celtic mode. This is a potent traditionally based rocker, that is lyrically based on the Jacobite Rebellion that took place in 1700`s Scotland.

Queen of Argyll Combining solid rock modes with traditional textures, this instrumental number has a nice groove.

Milligan`s Fancy Starting in a traditional Celtic mode, this instrumental evolves into a progish arrangement, while still maintaining that mode. After a time, the cut moves into a style that many would associate with Riverdance.

Montara Bay An intro that shows elements of flamenco guitar leads to a strong and intricate ballad. This is a very prog oriented piece that is firmly rooted in Celtic traditions. It is a considerably wonderful song that Sorbye wrote for his future wife (they are married now).

Hal An Tow A fun loving Celtic cut done in a rocking mode, this is "an ancient ritual song celebrating the first of May".

Top Of The Hill Drums begin this one (actually a medley of dance pieces), to be joined by guitar. A very potent piece, this one is a Celtic guitar rock number. The song features sections that are more rock and sections that are more traditional and moves into a rather hoedown oriented segment before returning to the earlier modes.

Captain Morgan A mainstream rock intro leads to a Celtic ballad, and the piece continues to alternate between these two styles. This one is about the most famous pirate of all time and is quite entertaining.

A Kiss In The Morning Early Beginning in a very traditional Celtic ballad mode, the piece moves into more rock based territory after a time. It alternates between these two styles and features some nicely intricate guitar work.

Heather on The Moor This is a solid Celtic rock cut that begins with intricate guitar work.

Jenny Nettles Rather frantic acoustic guitar work leads to a more rock based arrangement with solid prog leanings. The cut moves around a lot in a progish direction. It retains it`s Celtic roots throughout much of the piece, but one long section, in particular, takes on modern jazz tones rather reminiscent of Al Dimeola and Jean Luc Ponty. Eventually, the Celtic beginning modes return to end the tune. This is one of the strongest cuts on the album.

The House Carpenter Flute begins this song in a pretty Celtic ballad mode. Eventually, the piece takes on more metallic tones quite reminiscent of Jethro Tull. The entire guitar tone, including the solo, is quite Tullish. The instrumental break late in the song takes on wonderful prog directions making this the best cut on the album .

The Sleeping Highlander A fairly standard Celtic rock cut, this instrumental alternates between more rock and more traditional segments.

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