| Between the magically simple delivery of the opening track, Blue Blue Sky, and the stunning reprise to complete the album, On Air offers a delightful addition to the TAPP/AP canon. Eric Stewart's beautiful opener is sung so simply that the sound of aircraft blasting through your speakers seems incongruous. But it this very effect which grabs you by the scruff of the neck and says "enjoy". And so the procession continues. Neil Lockwood shows his own diversity with the story of Icarus, "Too Close To The Sun', the emotional ballad "Brother Up In Heaven" (written for a family member by Ian Bairnson) and the fear of flying rocker "Can't Look Down". Blown By The Wind (Eric Stewart, again) and Fall Free (Steve Overland) are catchy, but hearing Christopher Cross deliver "So Far Away" is a delightful trip back to his halycon days. Graham Dye also delivers a tremendous ode to Leonardo Da Vinci with "One Day To Fly". This leaves my two favourite tracks. "Apollo" has been compared by some to "Lucifer", though this tribute to the space program has a feel and power of its own. But the final curtain falls with the reprise of "Blue Blue Sky". From the simplicity of the opening vocal to the overpowering crescendo of the orchestra (and that enormous synth note) this song actually makes me cry, such is it's power. I have read that this is possibly the best finale to any TAPP/AP album, and despite some incredibly good competition (think Shadow of a Lonely Man, Same Old Sun, Old and Wise), it is difficult to argue. Another wonderful recording.
- Wesley Hull |
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