Iain Jennings

Iain Jennings - Breathing Space - 2005 - Mostly Autumn Records

Breathing Space is the debut solo album by UK keyboardist Iain Jennings. Although this album was originally released as Iain Jennings's album, it has become known as Breathing Space's (the band that was created for the following tour) first album because of the subsequent tours and the follow-up album Coming Up for Air in 2007.
(26 November 2005) Solo albums from well-known instrumentalists can be a hit and miss affair, especially as they are often used as a vehicle for self-indulgence or musical virtuosity above musical content. This is not true, however, of Mostly Autumn keyboard player Iain Jennings, who has instead chosen, in the main, to showcase his song writing ability on Breathing Space (IJ01, 2005). Fans of Mostly Autumn will remember that Iain has made some telling contributions to the Mostly Autumn repertoire, including to the remarkable "The Gap Is Too Wide, " the hard rocking "Never the Rainbow" and the superb instrumental "Distant Train." Though Bryan Josh makes a couple of brief appearances, the album is also an opportunity for Liam Davison to show off his considerable talents as a versatile and atmospheric guitarist, while Iains brother Andew Jennings, as one would expect, plays all the real drums. Most of all, the album is a showcase for the stunning vocal ability of newcomer Olivia Sparnenn. Olivia will be familiar to those who have seen Mostly Autumn live during 2005, as she has often provides backing vocals. Her voice lacks the warmth of Heather Findlay, but makes up for it with her stunning range and power. "Forgive of Surrender" is a good opening, an excellent up-tempo song, leading into a synth-dominated coda. Gentle piano introduces the stunning ballad "I’ve Been Thinking," beautifully sung by Olivia. "Shades of Grey" uses programmed percussion to good effect, giving the song a hypnotic, eastern quality, while Iain provides a superb synth solo with a similar feel to the one in "Mother Nature." "No Promises" begins gently with piano and vocal, before building into a satisfying ballad with a brief, restrained solo from Bryan. "Man Made Circles" is a hypnotic, driving instrumental allowing Liam and his effects board full reign to let go, building gradually in intensity over seven minutes. It is a nice idea, which grows on the listener after several plays. A shimmering keyboard introduction heralds "Wasted All the Time," a gentle first verse building into a powerful rock chorus with a lovely hook. The glorious "Belief" is an album highlight, a lovely piano riff introducing an emotive ballad featuring a typically heart-breaking solo from Bryan, and a gorgeous led vocal from Olivia. Iain clearly specialises in big, emotional ballads, because he follows "Belief" with yet another one--the superb "You Still Linger," with the tension of the verse releasing itself in a beautifully sung, Beatlesque chorus. The effect is slightly diminished by a rather unnecessary instrumental coda, which nevertheless features some fine guitar from Liam. "Escape," another instrumental, closes the album, borrowing from both modern trance music and the ambient soundscapes of Vangelis and Tangerine Dream for its template. Overall, this is an excellent solo effort from a hugely talented and generous musician. The production leaves a little to be desired in places, though the largely synthetic "Escape" is stunning, and structurally, the album is a little ballad-heavy. Having said that the slow songs are all so good, one wonders which he could have dropped. Certainly, the keyboards, though prominent, are not overbearing, and in Olivia Sparnenn, Iain has unearthed a real talent that we hope to hear a great deal more from in the future. © Stephen Lambe in Cheltenham, England and Russ Elliot in New York ****/5 stars © 2000-2011 Musical Discoveries http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/digest/digest.php?a=viewr&id=657

A solo album from the friendly keyboardist Iain Jennings. A man who wrote Mostly Autumn classics like "The Gab Is Too Wide", "Hollow", "The Spirit Of Autumn Past Part I", "Distant Train" and others, a man who co-wrote even more Mostly Autumn highlights. What can you expect of such a man? A freaky album with lots of magic keyboards, a new age album filled with smooth synthesizers, a Mostly Autumn Part III, a more mainstream pop album with quality pop music? No... yes! All of that a bit. Forgive Or Surrender is probably the most Mostly Autumnish sounding song. An up tempo rock song in the vein of "Never The Rainbow", or the most recent songs like "Broken Glass" or "Ghost In A Dreamland". And what a brilliant voice Olivia got, happily it is sounding different as Heather's lovely voice, so the connection with Mostly Autumn isn't so clear. You want to hear more, a great opener. With the chorus of the second song I've Been Thinking Olivia is trying to break your crystal glasses, she sings very high notes. I like her voice a bit lower more. A rock ballad, nice... Shades Of Grey, a beautiful ballad and in the end a bit psychedelic. Next to Iain's keyboard magic is Liam present with some great guitar sounds, well done! A mysterious classical piano tune is the base of No Promise with a just so classical Bryan Josh's guitar solo. Thought the album would have more instrumental tracks, but with a singer like Olivia, you don't want that. Nevertheless Man Made Circles is one of the two great instrumental tracks. A simple piano play starts this one. Keyboards are coming in and the wizards from the past will come into your mind; Jean Michel Jarre or Vangelos Odyssey Papathanassiou aka Vangelis, or maybe Richard Barbieri is one that you will think of. But of course it's unmistakable a new song with the scratching sounds. Then Liam's finger picking take the song over into another level. Splendid! People who've seen Mostly Autumn live know that Liam is an excellent guitarist. Most of the extraordinary guitar sounds of the Mostly Floyd gigs he did, and on this song you can hear why. Iain can write nice lyrics too; Wasted All Times is an example. A slow start and then keyboards and Liams guitar give some more rockin' feeling. The lyrics of Believe are written by Olivia. A thank you to her parents for all their support. Sweet emotional, without becoming cloyingly. Gentle piano and her lovely voice makes this song a highlight of the album. And another marvelous solo of Bryan's hand, makes this song complete, a beauty.
You Still Linger, the first two minutes are filled with that amazing voice of Olivia and piano. Andrew kicks in and brings some tempo change to it. And when Liam is getting loose you will not linger anymore... A nice Tony Banks piano bridge brings us back to Liams skills and a chanting Enigma like outro; fabulous! Escape, written with Steve Helstrip it is a song that was available on several dance albums already. So I was thinking of a track a la Faithless or Tiesto aka Tijs Verwest, but no it isn't. It is a more a Breathing Space, a space to chill out, to relax. More Tangering Dream, Gandalf aka Heinz Stobl, Ashra Temple a like. Close you're eyes and let it flow, don't linger anymore; buy this album! If you're a Mostly Autumn fan already, then this album is a must have, without a doubt. Althrough it isn't a symfo or prog album it isn't a pop album either, it's something in between. Don't put it a box. It's nice accessible and adventurous quality music. Olivia's voice is excellent, like a diamond, pure ... Liam is an excellent guitar player and on this album he is getting some room to expose it more. The drums are in good hands and feet of the little brother Andrew Jennings. Maybe the album had even become more adventureous with a live bass, think the six strings of Matthew Cohen, or John Jowitts loops could have add an extra dimension. But do I miss that? No! Live they'll need one and I'm curious who it will be. Iain has successfully managed to make an album with his Mostly Autumn friends without becoming a Mostly Autumn clone band. A very enjoyable album. Mostly Recommended! © Nick from the lovely South of the Netherlands. Check out on interview and sound samples here (http://home.hetnet.nl/~nickgielkens/who_mostlyindex.htm). © http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/iain_jennings/breathing_space/

"Overall, this is an excellent solo effort from a hugely talented and generous musician. The production leaves a little to be desired in places, though the largely synthetic "Escape" is stunning, and structurally, the album is a little ballad-heavy. Having said that the slow songs are all so good, one wonders which he could have dropped. Certainly, the keyboards, though prominent, are not overbearing, and in Olivia Sparnenn, Iain has unearthed a real talent that we hope to hear a great deal more from in the future". © Stephen Lambe in Cheltenham, England and Russ Elliot in New York ****/5 stars © 2000-2011 Musical Discoveries http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/digest/digest.php?a=viewr&id=657

A good inventive album of crossover prog/progressive rock and contemporary pop/electronica with beautiful melodies and wonderful musicianship, especially the guitar/keyboard interplay and Olivia Sparnenn's wonderful vocals. Listen to Breathing Space's "Coming Up For Air" album, and read an interview with Iain Jennings @ http://www.getreadytorock.com/rising_stars/breathing_space.htm

TRACKS

1. Forgive or Surrender - 5:06
2. I've Been Thinking - 5:06
3. Shades of Grey - 5:10
4. No Promises - 4:40
5. Man Made Circles - 7:06
6. Wasted All the Time - 6:03
7. Belief - 5:42
8. You Still Linger - 8:36
9. Escape - 8:11 *

N.B: * Later CD issues have substituted this track with the shorter track, "Distant Train"

All songs composed by Iain Jennings except "Belief" by Iain Jennings & Olivia Sparnenn (Lyrics), and "Escape" by Iain Jennings & Steve Helstrip

MUSICIANS

Iain Jennings - Keyboards, Synthesizers, Programming
Liam Davison - Lead/Rhythm/Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitars
Bryan Josh - Guitar Solos (Tracks 4 and 8)
Andrew Jennings - Drums, Percussion
Olivia Sparnenn - Lead/Backing Vocals (Tracks 1,2,3,4,6,7 and 8)
Steve Helstrip - Unspecified musical contribution