Album Review

Duke Special – Oh Pioneer

• 13th Jun 2012

Duke Special has produced music in a vast range of styles over the past few years – from a television theme tune to musicals and vaudeville. But now Belfast’s Peter Wilson is back to more a more pop based approach with an album that demonstrates the tremendous depth of his songwriting. This is a man who can apparently take just about any idea then sit down at his piano and write a song about it.

Oh Pioneer is a restrained sounding album featuring several quiet and introspective tracks. The approach is mainly thoughtful and pleasant, although there are some lovely melodies in there too. It is a decent collection of songs that are delivered throughout in Wilson’s strong Irish accent, adding authenticity to his work.

The opening track, Stargazers Of The World Unite (A Love Song For Astronomers) sets the tone nicely. The piano drives a song that features smooth vocals and an uplifting chorus that asks the question, “How am I going to get myself to heaven?”

Amongst the ten other tracks there are several that stand out. The dark and brooding Condition is another meditative song that reflects on the nature of life and the contradictions that it brings. Lyrically it is cleverly written, comparing pairs of notions in a slow recital and referencing everything from Big Blue to a ZX81 and a pin drop to Phil Spector. Lost Chord is written in similar vein, if stylistically very different, and details the search for meaning in life. “I want the world to make some sense”, Wilson sings plaintively. Don’t we all?

The powerful ballad Nothing Shall Come Between Us is a fine love song, beautifully sung over delicate piano. It reflects on the past yet also offers promise for the future. There is a simplicity to the track, yet the feelings it portrays are complex. This may just be the best song on the album.

Snakes In The Grass stands out in a very different way. It is perhaps a more typically Duke Special sounding song, jaunty and with a trumpet in the background. The big, almost operatic vocal injections add much to a story of explorers and the desert.
Another track, How I Learned To Love The Sun is a percussion heavy song with a dark edge to it. Wilson demonstrates his vocal range here with some lovely high vocals as well as fast paced lower delivery.

The closing Twice Around The Island, a dramatic track about pirates and treasure, ends things nicely. The lyrics are typical of Wilson’s work with a lovely story well told, but also a deeper meaning about altering the course of our lives.

Fans of Duke Special will be intrigued by this change of direction from Peter Wilson. His reliance more on the power of his songwriting than the more flamboyant musical flourishes of past work allows his lyrics space to shine and the slower tracks showcase his mellow vocals well.

Oh Pioneer is a very interesting collection of songs from a talented performer. Duke Special has great versatility and variety in his work, and the sheer scale of this album, from ballads to more expansive songs, makes it both entertaining and a lot of fun.