Midwinter is an acid folk/progressive folk rock band formed in 1972, and was a precursor to the folk rock band known as Stone Angel. The band recorded a demo tape sometime around 1973, but the band split apart before any further recordings could be made. The guitarists and some guest musicians from the demo recordings went on to form Stone Angel. 20 years after the demo was recorded, one of the guitarists discovered the demo reel in his attic, which went on to become the group’s only album released. This particular version I’m listening to on Apple Music seems to a couple of bonus tracks that weren’t on the original release in 1993. I’m pretty stoked to give this album a listen, so with that said, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Sanctury Stone” begins with a very light, folksy acoustic guitar, or perhaps a different folksy stringed instrument. Holy smokes, the bass guitar part has a flavor that reminds me very much of a shamanic psychedelic voyage of sorts. I’m sort of reminded of Caedmon, a psychedelic medieval folk group from the late 1960s, as well as Steeleye Span a bit. I’m really digging this track so far. The overall feel is like the band is preparing you for an epic journey that will become myth as the story is passed down over the generations. Oh wow, this is super groovy. The flavors from the bass guitar and the acoustic guitar almost remind me of the Los Angeles psychedelic rock scene from the mid to late 1960s. Great track, and I’m stoked to hear more.
Oh wow, “To Find a Reason” has such a lightness to the soundscape, which is created by the gently flowing lines from the acoustic guitar and the inviting flute. Oh wow, the tune seems to gradually evolve into a folkloric tune of sorts, which feels as though it could be narrating part of a J. R. R. Tolkien novel. Oh wow, the ending of the track really seems to bring about the roots of British folk music in the track. Great tune.
Oh wow, “The Skater” begins with what sounds to be a dulcimer, or perhaps a different folksy, twangy stringed instrument. Oh wow, this is really groovy. I’m almost reminded a bit of The Incredible String Band with the bit of a raga-inflection in the melody. Holy smokes, there are some really interesting plucked strings that have a sound that I mostly associate with Asian folk music. Oh wow, the tabla-like percussion comes in, and only enhances the feeling of Asian style in the song. Great track.
Oh wow, “Scarborough Fair” begins with a sort of Gregorian-chant-style chorus of vocals, which seems to bring about a solemn sound, as the vocals seem both very sweet and pitched down from what you might expect. It just occurred to me that this is an a-cappella cover version of the song originally by Simon & Garfunkel. Wow, there’s almost a tangible darkness in this track that I really dig. Super sweet tune.
Oh wow, “The Oak Tree Grove” brings a lighthearted traditional British folksy sound that I’m really digging. I really dig the instrumentation in this track, as it’s just the acoustic guitar and the female vocalist’s sweet voice, and at this moment in particular, it’s only the acoustic guitar playing a super folksy line that feels both cloudy and good-natured. Wow, great track.
Oh wow, “Dirge” starts with an interesting folksy marching beat that has a really interesting reverberation, sounding as though the drum is leading a lonely march of sorts. The flute, guitars, and other folksy stringed instruments have a sort of narrative quality to this track that I dig. Super sweet tune.
Holy smokes, “Maids and Gentlemen” starts out with some groovy folksy acoustic guitar work that is soon joined by an electric bass and a clean electric guitar, which bring a more overt psychedelic flavor to the soundscape. Oh wow, I really dig the clean electric guitar in the background of this track. Wow, the female vocalist’s voice has such a traditional British folk sound, which further amplifies the sweetness of the soundscape with each line. Holy smokes, there’s a bit of distortion to some the electric guitar that adds a super groovy contrasting flavor to the tune. Super sweet track.
Oh wow, “The Waters of Sweet Sorrow” the gentle thuds of the bass line and the intricate weaving of the acoustic guitar seems to create a pure, undisturbed musical creek of sorts that allows you to float along on the raft that the female vocalist’s singing provides to anyone listening. Oh wow, the final notes of the track somehow tie together the soundscape in an even sweeter package. Great tune.
Oh wow, “All Things Are Quite Silent” starts out with a medley of folksy strings from a banjo and possibly a dulcimer or other stringed folk instrument of sorts. I’m really digging this track. The sound of the instrumentation reminds me again of Asian folk music, or perhaps a very ancient Celtic folk song of some sort. The vocals almost sound as though the singer is awaiting the arrival of someone who departed on a journey long ago. Great track.
Oh wow, “The Two Sisters” starts out with some folksy acoustic guitar in the style of old British folk, and is soon joined by a distant flute of some sort and a second acoustic guitar (or other stringed instrument) that seems to complement and accentuate the other acoustic guitar quite nicely. The male vocalist almost seems to have an earthy texture compared to the heavenly style of the female vocalist. Holy smokes, there’s a bit of a psychedelic groove featuring some fuzzed-out electric guitar for a moment. Oh wow, this track is super groovy. Holy smokes, the psychedelic groove comes back and seems to expand on the earlier jam, adding some super flavorful rough texture to the track in the process, almost like the band is starting to pull you back to reality in a far out style. Great track.
Oh wow, “Winter Song” has a really groovy folksy flavor created by acoustic guitar(s) and what sounds to be a distant cello of sorts. Oh wow, the acoustic guitars seems to weave together in a sort of conclusory way, as though the band is wrapping things up. Holy smokes, the harmonics with the acoustic guitar seem to continue winding together the song and the album as the track continues. Oh wow, the vocal melody at the end of the track really ties things up with a really folksy feel. Great tune.
Oh wow, “Summer Rain (Bonus: Ken Saul Debut Single)” has a really groovy sound that leans more into the rock side of a psychedelic folk rock style, and feels like a really groovy follow-up to the previous track. I really dig the sound of this track, as it reminds me a fair deal of some folk rock from the latter 1960s. Great track.
Oh wow, “Pictures Framed in My Mind (Bonus: Ken Saul Debut Single” has a really groovy, raw, swirling psychedelic rock sound, which seems to tie things together quite nicely. I really dig the swirling distortion that seemingly breezes around the soundscape. Holy smokes, the electric organs in this track add a really groovy flavor to the mix. Super sweet track and a really groovy way to end the album.
Wow, this album is super sweet. I can hardly believe that the album wasn’t released until 1993, as these tracks really capture a timeless folksy sound, and fuses it with a mixture of psychedelic flavors. The music seems to bring you far out into psychedelic territory with the gentle and heavenly combinations of sweet vocals and folksy instrumentation. If you’re into psychedelic folk music and you also enjoy traditional British folk music, you might want to consider checking out this album. If you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely do hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A