This Review is for a CD/dDVD set that delves deep into the highly successful and highly acclaimed ‘Cocoon’ album by Tiger Moth Tales (TMT) and comprises of a seventy-four minute audio document containing a mixture of conversations with Peter Jones, five live tracks from either the first TMT concerts and more recent ones from The Boerderij in Holland from earlier this year.
The accompanying DDV features a live solo performance by Peter Jones, mainly on guitar, again hailing from 2024, an interview along with the promotional video for the extra track on the ‘Cocoon’ 10 year anniversary edition, called Return To Chigwick in which Peter comments in song on the extraordinary journey he has been on since the release of the original album. This extraordinary, prolific, musician has released eight albums over the same ten year period along with appearances with Camel, It Bites and Cyan (among others). He has also performed session work for The Barock Project, four John Holden albums and also four Red Bazar albums and numerous shows. It’s been a very fruitful ten years for Peter and this CD tells you far more about the making of, and also the inspiration behind, the music.
In all honesty this is possibly an album you will listen to infrequently, although the DVD may receive more attention, featuring his interpretations of five Genesis songs, as the band were always a major influence on Peter’s intention to make a progressive music career for himself. The DVD is very illuminating, as Peter doesn’t tend to do many solo guitar shows so, to have one recorded for posterity is wonderful in itself, as are his Genesis covers, on which he does incredibly well in converting his admiration for the band.
This release definitely has its place in Peter’s recorded output and shows his versatility off to fine effect. As a Fan who has been on the whole journey with Peter, this is a most welcome release and highly enjoyable indeed. The live tracks on the CD include Overture from 2016, recorded at one of the earliest Tiger Moth Tales shows in Nottingham, a version of The Merry Vicar and also A Visit To Chigwick, both from the same Nottingham show in 2016. There is also a live version of Feels Alright from a 2024 show in Holland.
It is a very interesting and informative release and you cannot help be amazed at both how productive, creative and determined Peter is who, despite being blind, does not allow his disabilities severely impact his ability to create some seriously impressive music. You will discover who the original ‘Vicar’ was and why Peter felt compelled to write about this man in particular. The interviews are informative and illuminating about both the detail and the vision behind the ‘Cocoon’ album. For me, it is the snippets of information that Peter reveals that help you appreciate that he does not allow his disabilities to affect his creativity and he shows incredible aptitude and resilience. It also makes abundantly clear the sheer creativity and attention to detail that Peter has applied to the project, as a companion album to the original release this is very welcome.
I really enjoyed this extra album and DVD but understand that it will not appeal to everyone, however, those that do partake will find much here to enjoy and appreciate, especially the demo and live tracks, which show the evolution of the album. It also gives much detail about how the album emerged and became a testament to both Peter’s talent and resilience, making it a story of successful endeavours and genuine imagination. ‘Cocoon’ remains a landmark album for Peter and this accompanying release really sheds light on what helped make the album such a refreshing and rewarding experience.
Personally, for me, I really enjoyed this and my admiration for Peter has increased even more as a result. It’s an interesting listen and the music tracks add even more to this fabulous little package, which I suggest will become increasingly more valuable as times goes by. So, if this is up your street then I strongly suggest that you search it out whilst you can as it may not be around for that long.
A real hats off to Peter for delving into his own archives to compile this fascinating release about his stunning debut album ‘Cocoon’ as he celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Released 6th September, 2024.
Order the album here:
https://www.whiteknightshop2.co.uk/home/Tiger-Moth-Tales-Inside-The-Cocoon-CD-DVD-p687857062