Mostly Autumn - Dressed in Voices (Limited Edition 2CD) (2014) Lossless

Mostly Autumn were formed in York in 1995, their roots stemming from local gigging outfits mainly playing Pink Floyd covers.

Most bios on this site tend to include, rightly, discussions regarding line-up changes, the loss and replacements of personnel with varying importance, and the impact upon said act. With Mostly Autumn, such a discussion would simply take up far too much space, would probably be incomplete, and, ultimately, of little value. Suffice to say that, since the beginning, there have been numerous line-ups of the band, but all revolve around the man whose vision the band was, and is, namely BRYAN JOSH, guitarist, vocalist, lyricist. Indeed, when celebrated lead vocalist, HEATHER FINDLAY, left the band in 2010 to concentrate on a solo career, and new family, she said in an interview with Prog magazine, without a trace of rancour, that the band's driving force and leader, to whom all centred, was Josh. Of the original line-up, only keyboardist Iain Jennings remains with Josh. It should be noted that, very sadly, original rhythm guitarist, and mainstay of the band to 2014, Liam Davison died in 2017.

In terms of the history of the band, a pertinent point to make about the ever-changing line-ups is that they appear to have been wholly achieved without any ill feelings on all parties' sides; indeed, many who have left have returned as part of the revolving door, this in stark contrast to the act to whom they are usually most likened, one Pink Floyd, of which more below. They have variously been compared to Floyd, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Blackmore's Night, Camel, Renaissance, and a myriad of other progressive, folk, Celtic rock, and rock acts. In truth, they are a band whose music encompasses all these influences without ever sounding like anything other than Mostly Autumn. They are unique.

The Floyd connection was, in fact, promoted heavily in 2004/05 by then record label, Classic Rock Productions, with the release of a live album & DVD entitled Pink Floyd Revisited, which featured a side of Autumn live tracks, and a side of Floyd covers. The promotion came on the back of an interview on the BBC Radio 2 Johnnie Walker show with the late Richard Wright, who remarked that he was really enjoying listening to a Celtic infused act with clear Floyd influences by the name of Mostly Autumn. In truth, the comparison, and these releases, probably did not do the band any great favours.

The band were first signed to then progressive rock specialist label, Cyclops, and between 1999 & 2001, they released three albums with the label, namely For All We Shared, The Spirit of Autumn Past, and The Last Bright Light, all of which contain fan favourites still played live today, and gave notice of a band driven by song-writing and tight performances. The band, then, as now, toured extensively throughout UK & Europe, and probably first came to the notice of the wider music press when they were given a prestigious support slot with Blackmore's Night. The connection continued, with the band also supporting the reformed Rainbow in 2016. The band also supported Steve Hackett in 2014.

The momentum created, sadly, did not translate into big commercial success, and the signing to Classic Rock Productions commenced with a disappointing "Music Inspired by the Lord of the Rings", but redeemed with the delicate Passengers. It is probably the case that the record label simply did not know how to adequately promote their act, a modern rock band maybe out of place with record label stable mates such as Wishbone Ash.

As with so many modern prog rock acts, the band decided to take matters into their own hands, and Mostly Autumn Records was formed, with the label producing all subsequent releases, latterly many funded by pre-orders. Those who do pre-order are treated to tracks and merchandise not more widely commercially available. It is a fair summation to describe the band as a "cottage industry", and the indications are that this method of funding, together with a loyal following at live venues, creates a commercial return adequate to fund the project.

When Findlay, who was the face and instantly recognisable front female voice of the band, left in 2010, many thought that the project would not be able to continue. However, to the front stepped up backing vocalist Olivia Sparnenn, and it proved to be an inspired choice. Olivia and Josh subsequently married, and a family was started in 2017.

Since self-releasing, the band have produced seven critically well received studio albums, none more so than the extremely dark and intense concept album, Dressed in Voices, released in 2014, this telling the tale of a man murdered on his way home, and relaying his final memories, thoughts, hopes, and fears in the ensuing music. Do not be fooled by the description, though, because in this work are moments of uplifting beauty and raw emotion.

To summarise, Mostly Autumn are a band whose music, passion, exceptional playing, and attitude to the world around them have earned respect across the rock music spectrum, and they are more than deserving of the attention of progressive rock fans looking for that something a little bit different, something folky, something rocky, something..Mostly Autumn.

Also recommended are side projects by Bryan Josh (as "Josh & Co"), Odin's Dragonfly, with Findlay and flautist Angela Gordon, and BREATHING SPACE, led by Iain Jennings.