Listen To The Wind...


History:


Listen To The Wind was a project founded by Jim Shaw, a composer and pianist. He founded the project with Patricia Shaw, a folk guitarist and singer-songrwriter. Together they began to rehearse and perform Shaw's songs in and around Washington D.C.. The two were joined by Peter Grant and John Rigby on guitar and vocals, as well as someone with the last name Meickeljohn on upright bass and someone with the last name Schaffer on clarinet and flute. 


The group then decided to record a full length album of Shaw's compositions. The self titled "Listen To The Wind..." was recorded in late 1970 and released in early 1971. If features a folk sound with some baroque elements. Jim Shaw was credited with harpsichord and piano. However, he only played electric piano on every song except "Let It Sun" where he plays a buried harpsichord. Two of Solis' solo compositions were also included on the album. 


The album didn't sell too well and thus is quite rare to see. Jim Shaw would eventually become a semi-popular gospel recording artist in Maryland. Due to this, some people confuse this album as being a gospel recording, which it is not. It's unclear what the group members are up to.

Review:


Listen To The Wind... (1971, Not On Label)

Rating: 6/10


An interesting folk / british folk rock nugget, sort of in a similar vein to Sandstone except they use electric piano and clarinet instead of mandolin and harpsichord. "Come To Me" is nice with good electric piano and some lovely clarinet work. "Garage" is a beautiful ballad by Solis. Lovely vocals and writing, a personal favorite. "When Spring Comes Early" and "Grain Fields Of Wheat" are both nice cuts as well. The rawer cuts like "Let It Sun" and "Here, There, And Everywhere" are dated and not fun to listen to.