“If you allow me to say, please make the most of every day. Don’t ever stop.

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”Introducing a musical project that’s multiple decades in the making – a dream finally lived, and with absolute precision, passion and purpose untied at the helm. Renowned creative musicians Wooten, Murphy & Clark release this year their highly-anticipated rock opera A Man Of Fortune – a timelessly evocative and alluring listen, jam-packed with hits and reflective moments that connect on a deeper level. There’s so much to appreciate and enjoy, to ponder and feel, that a single listen is far from enough – this is one for the long-term playlists and evenings spent with friends.

 

Brian Wooten, Darin Murphy and Jeff Clark – three superb musicians, a trio of diverse yet equally impressive backgrounds – present this boldly entertaining and conceptually provocative rock opera. The story is that of a famous musician, Max Million, briefly feeling a clear chemistry with a woman in a café, before taking to the stage and collapsing from apparent road fatigue.Max’ time spent in hospital is sadly unrelenting, and as he continues to deteriorate, he faces the inevitable end amidst the weight of regret and opportunities that will never come to light. His reaction, as a lifelong creative, is to put pen to paper – to record a multitude of lyrics; the likes of which seem perfectly designed to express both his personal concerns and those for humanity at large.

 

A Man Of Fortune explores these scenes and this story, these lyrical musings, through seventeen original rock tracks and a live audience capture that helps bring the performance flair to life. The musicianship is second to none, guitar and instrumental mastery and passionate vocals, along with a clear unity between players – a stop-and-start theatrical edge that grips – and as such, the songs of the rock opera lead with a nostalgic brightness and brilliance that’s a pleasure to immerse yourself within.

 

The second track Encore perhaps celebrates and encapsulates this quality the most, but the anthemic and joyous moment is cleverly contrasted by the acoustic and intimate sound of songs like Can’t Help But Love You. At all times, versatility is a key strength, from vocal leads to riffs and effects, even the overall mood. Consider the brilliant progression from Dr. Thompson through We’ve Got To Try – a great succession both eclectic and revealing in terms of the bigger picture.

 

Impassioned performances are engaging throughout A Man Of Fortune, there’s sadness and uncertainty, but also more notably a sense of sheer optimism and possibility; particularly during the first half. Then we get the likes of a deeply contemplative A Gift Without Time, which smartly follows on from the provocative twists of Read The Book, as we get into the meat of this story of redemption and heartbreak.

 

Don’t Ever Stop is a striking highlight for its slick rock presentation, snappy hook, and heartfelt addressing of any and all of us. This is followed beautifully by the starkly juxtaposed piano ballad Listen To Yourself. Then later, we’re reminded of the end of life reflections of Max – the thoughts that come to light when life is knowingly set to be cut short.

 

I’ll Never Have A Son is a heartbreakingly unignorable acoustic piece, intimate and vulnerable, re-grounding the collection with a heavy weight and sadness that’s piercingly honest. Music is our protagonist’s escape from these thoughts and from the darkness of fading time, and that’s precisely what it becomes for its audience, too.

 

A funky and upbeat outburst makes its way into the album’s final quarter for good reason – Sneakin’ To The Snack Bar lightens the mood, and impresses musically, before we fall back into the nostalgic longing of Remember You; and the poetic purity and acceptance of Closer Than Far Away.

 

Then to finish, Wooten Murphy & Clark make sure to tug at those heart strings one last time, for the stripped-back curtain closer that is the surprisingly hopeful, grateful and inspiring Now I am Gone. Parts of this rock opera were written by Jeff Clark back in the seventies, and as such, some of the tracks found their way into the Too Smooth repertoire.

 

The decision to reignite the process began just four years ago, with Brian Wooten taking on much of the new writing. It’s a lifelong project, in essence, a collaborative gem with a defiant sense of purpose and a blissfully rewarding level of humanity at its core.

 

Listening in full is of course the intention – a rock opera is a rare creation these days, and the effort and skill that has been poured into A Man Of Fortune by everyone involved makes it an absolute must. But at the same time, these are great rock songs, eclectic and memorable; mighty and emotive.

 

If you were to choose any one track at any precise time, the music will offer something wonderful in the way of entertainment, comfort, and escapism. Enjoy the journey!

 

- Rebecca Cullen , Stereo Stickman, Wales, United Kingdom

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