Comments for Airey, Don, K2: Tales of Triumph and Tragedy

More of a rock concept album (somewhat in the style of The Alan Parsons Project) than a strictly progressive album, but a fine work just the same. The music is keyboard and guitar dominated, featuring various vocalists: I assume that Chris Thompson and Mel Galley must sound very similar, but Colin Blunstone is readily identifiable on 12 and Genki Hitomi (I think) on 13. The use of a narrator is notably, and unusually successful, the narration being done in the style of news broadcasts interwoven into the music, detailing the group''s exploits. The heavy opening keyboard refrain successfully conjures up visions of the mountain (there is a photo on the cover of the CD and a diagram/map is also included in the artwork). There are a number of fairly straight but well arranged rock songs, with lush keyboard sequencing in places and instrumental interludes of various lengths, featuring Gary Moore''s guitar or Airey''s piano. The shift from unusual parts, such as the opening of "Balti Lament," to more conventional passages is always successfully managed. Some of the emotions attributed to the characters are a leap and the lyrics vary from pedestrian to inspired. Still, this is overall a polished rock tribute to the adventurers of an ill-fated expedition. (Ian C. Thomas)

"The music portrays both the savage mystery of the mountain and the tragic events of the 1986 expedition that overtook climbers Alan Rouse, Julie Tullis and Dorbroslawa Wolf (Mrufka), all of whom were obsessed with conquering K2." (cover notes)Keyboards: Don Airey. Guitars: Gary Moore, Keith Airey. Bass: Laurence Cottle. Drums: Cozy Powell, Niki Alan. Vocals: Chris Thompson, Colin Blunstone, Genki Hitomi, Mel Galley. Backing vocals: J. J. Morland, Ian Harrison, Keith Airey. Narrator: Gordon Honeycombe.