Dorie Jackson flies once again – expect the unexpected from the House of Kaprekar. No Prog required.

Release Date: 17th January 2025

Label: Talking Elephant Records

Format: CD / digital

Dorie Jackson – a name well known for her work as backing vocalist with Chris Difford, Francis Dunnery, William Topley, Marti Pellow and as one of the lead singers for Prog rockers Kaprekar’s Constant. She has also been steadily developing her own solo career. The result – a demand to hear more of her in her own right.

EXPLORING VIRTUOSITY

Over a decade on from her The Courting Ground album, her second album sees Dorie further exploring her virtuosity as a lead vocalist and vocal arranger. The wealth of opportunities for musical activities in the intervening years see her intricate, multi-tracked harmonies feature prominently on all twelve tracks that make up this album.

The Kaprekar’s core writing team has worked alongside Dorie and also number amongst the backing musicians. As might be expected, the band’s trademark storytelling narrative and subtle instrumentation is evident throughout. Dorie steers the listener through topics as diverse as insomnia, folklore, myths and legends and losing a loved one to dementia. All sit alongside tales of historical endeavours, cover ups, dirty dealing and even the Boer War.

The album also features a guest appearance on several tracks by Toby Shaer on fiddle and low whistle. A regular member of both Sam Kelly’s and Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman’s touring bands, his is a significant factor on the folkier stylings. It was especially important to Dorie that her father David added his unique touch to the music. One of the key figures of 1970’s Progressive Rock via his work primarily with Van der Graaf Generator. David weaves flute, horns and whistles throughout the album.

GENTLE LULLS APLENTY

Crafted and chilled vibes are the order of the day. A strong harmonic CSN (&Y) nostalgia hovers around the vocal arrangements, affording the songs a pastoral feel that (a) provides an easy listen, earworms and gentle lulls aplenty and (b) reveals some some classy songwriting on a deeper dive.

Organic, rustic and providing the escapism of which she talks, the music delivers a bountiful helping of soul food (thanks PROG!). Stupid Says Run delivers both the more folky themes of some tracks and the fuller arrangements of others. Merging rock, folk and prog influences into a multi textured, multi layered sound, the sequence flows naturally. Moving seamlessly from a bright sparkle to a dark, threatening foreboding and an assortment of flavours in between.

MEDIEVAL SWAY

Sun Horse and The Daylight Gate immediately conjure up images of Clannad’s Robin Of Sherwood soundtracking. Evocative and spacey, the ring of strings and ethereal washes give a glimpse into the world of Stupid Says Run. Alongside the acoustic band seduction of Red Sky and the poignancy of The Photo, we’re never a step or two away from the genteelness of a medieval sway. Perhaps the presence of those pipes and whistles in the hands of Messrs Jackson and Shaer coming up trumps with some warm splashes of Celtic flavour. The Kaprekar’s backline keep a finger on the pulse to ensure that subtlety remains running through the veins.

The jaunty interludes of Paper Chains and The Visitor add a contrasting dynamic on an album that, although it feels a little like underselling, is a delight. The final few moments of The Hypnotist’s Watch where the whistles fade, leaving a lone voice to echo, bring a refined and restrained closure to a carefully honed and crafted set.

Here’s Wild Thyme:

Dorie Jackson online: Kaprekar’s Constant Website

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