Strangers On A Train – The Key Part 1: The Prophecy

Sometimes a lion escapes from his cage. This time the long awaited re-release of the first Strangers On A Train album is put in the spotlight. The Key Part 1: The Prophecy is an album completely written by Clive and was followed by Part 2. Clive never made a secret of it: Part 3 will also see the light of day sometime.

Strangers On A Train was in fact the first project Clive Nolan did outside his work with Pendragon. Originally this CD was released in 1990. Many were surprised by the original combination of Clive Nolan on keyboards (mainly piano), Threshold-guitarist Karl Groom (guitars) and the mystical Tracy Hitchings on vocals. Altogether, this results in a very special sound that Clive has described as chamber rock. Piano, guitars (acoustic and electric!) and vocals, it might seem incomplete, but it certainly doesn’t sound that way!

The Prophecy, with its red-brown cover showing an Inca-temple reflecting in the water, contains 14 tracks, of which the longest is 8 minutes. Since this is a concept-album, many of the shorter songs are directly linked with each other. Some instrumentals can indeed be compared with the Crying For Help-tracks.

I would like to pay special attention to some of the highlights of this atmospheric album. First, Sacrifice, the second track of the CD. After the special intro, a terrific piano part follows. A melody that will return several times later on, is presented very firmly. You can certainly hear that Tracy has experience in rock music. Towards the end of the song, Clive joins her with beautiful harmony vocals. The finale, with organ and a fierce guitar part is solid as a rock.

Crossing The Wasteland is one of the most beautiful instrumentals of this album. A boogie-like rhythm is accompanied by a great bass part. The keyboard solo is pure fun! Tony Banks hasn’t pleased us with such a thing for the last 15 years.

The centre piece of the record is the impressive Occam’s Tears. After a haunting beginning ‘Cry for me’ (!), keyboards are building up this song, while the counter-rhythm of the accompanying ‘strings’ is really addictive.

From The Outside In is a beautiful ballad between Clive and Tracy. The two voices really fit together. The song is followed by Duel, in which Clive on keyboards and especially Karl with his guitar enter the arena. Healing The Rift, to conclude, has a powerful organ part, like you haven’t heard since Awaken (by Yes). Tracy ‘I am the key’ is really menacing. Beautiful!

Of course, you can’t create the atmosphere of this special album in a short review like this one. Suffice to say I am really looking forward to the re-release of Part 2.

Tracklist
1. Arrival (3:40)
2. Sacrifice (7:10)
3. New World (3:06)
4. Silent Companion (2:25)
5. Crossing The Wasteland (3:53)
6. Perchance To Dream (4:29)
7. Lightshow (3:36)
8. Occam's Tears (8:07)
9. Losing A Hold On Life (3:58)
10. From The Outside In (5:27)
11. Duel (4:30)
12. From The Inside Out (6:40)
13. Healing The Rift (4:00)
14. The Key (2:43)

Total Time: 63:44

By: Jan-Jaap de Haan