Neil Ardely — A Symphony For Amaranths

From the early ’70s, A Symphony For Amaranths is a larger jazz orchestra-focused album. It moves from tone shifting/ mood vary composition, to more dramatic/ theatrical poem-weaved pieces.  Neil Ardley- was an influential  English jazz musician and composer, whose body of work largely dates from the 70’s.  Here from BGO Records is a CD reissue of the album- featuring a remastered mix, a bonus track, and a fifteen-page inlay booklet with a new write-up about the album/its composer.

A Symphony For Amaranths was first released in the year 1971 on Regal Zonophone Records. The album featured key/ notable British jazz players such as Jon Hiseman, Don Rendell, Karl Jenkins and Stan Tracey. And it’s fair to say it’s a wonderfully varied, and creative album.

The album is split in two- with the original first side being taken up by the nearing twenty-five-minute title track, and the original second side taking in four shorter tracks with spoken/ semi-sang elements.

So first up we have “A Symphony For Amaranths”- seemingly on the original vinyl this was broken up into three pieces/ parts- Carillon, Nocturne, Entracte, and Impromptu. With this CD release, we just get presented with one long track, and as mentioned it’s fairly shifting/ varied work- moving from upbeat vibe-ebbed horn orchestral workouts.  On dips into rapid/ baying sax work, through to swooning/ cascading light classical atmospherics with shimmering percussive detail. Onto more mellow horn piping blended with string gracefulness & flourish. And beyond. It truly is a real adventure of a piece, with Ardley composing it with great scope and rewarding flow.

Next up on the CD/ album we have “The Dong With A Luminous Nose”- this is based on a poem by Edward Lear, and features spoken/performed texts by Ivor Cutler- with his Scottish-toned voice perfectly fitting the darting and rising musical backing.  

Track number three compiles together the original B-side tracks two, three, four and five under the banner of "Three Poems". Taking in:  After A Long Silence which is more musically more shifting/ darting. She Weeps Over Rahoon which is all about mournful horn trumpeting, tinkling keys, and string swoons. Will You walk A little Faster which is more rapid, at points lively piping. All three tracks are sung by  British jazz vocalist Norma  Winstone- and she gives a wonderful varied performance.

The CD is finished off with the bonus track “National Anthem & Tango”- this does what it says on the box, with jazz/ classical crossbred moving between Ardley's take on the British National Anthem- which playfully later darts into a tango groove for a few moments.

A Symphony For Amaranths certainly hums and sings of the creative 1970s, with Ardley and company offering up a creative and engaging album that flirts with jazz & classical tropes.