Judy Dyble - 2025 - Darkness to Light. The Recordings 2004-2006

(202:00; Cherry Red Records)






















Given her role in being the first singer for Fairport Convention, the person who put up an advert which led to the formation of King Crimson, as well as album with Trader Horne, it is difficult to imagine that apart from a few appearance here and there, Judy Dyble basically disappeared from the music scene for nearly 25 years. These three albums, ‘Enigmatic Garden’, ‘Spindle’ and ‘The Whorl’ came about directly because of Mark Swordfish (Astralasia), who had always loved her work and wondered if she would be interested in collaborating, He asked Peter Pracownik, who was working backstage at Cropredy in 2002 where Judy was guesting, to pass on his phone number and she got in contact. The original idea was to release the material as Astralasia, but it was felt by all involved that it should instead be under Judy’s name. The first album was released in 2004, and the sessions for the second resulted in so much material that two albums could be released a few months apart in 2006. After that Judy went onto more projects, with her final album being the wonderful ‘Between a Breath and a Breath’ in 2020, which was recorded with David Longdon. Would she have got back into recording without the intervention of Marc? We will never know, but what we can say is that he had a major impact on her coming back to prominence.

These three albums will always rightly be viewed together and now Cherry Red have made them all available in the same set, along with a detailed essay, a few extra tracks (including a Robert Fripp demo), plus photos, which make this a delight. One of the absolute highlights is Pink Floyd’s “See Emily Play” which has been brought right up to date as something which will fill techno dancefloors, yet with her wonderful vocals cutting through it all. Simon House is having a blast on this one, providing some great violin. Apparently this was based on a version Judy had done with Adrian Wagner, the great-great grandson of Richard Wagner, who had worked with Robert Calvert. It is a load of fun, and I (almost) prefer it to the original!

The contrast between the arrangements, loops and musical styles and Judy’s clear delicious vocals is what makes this such an outstanding release. I have always enjoyed these albums but to have them in one place like this is wonderful, and for those who have yet to come across them then you are in for a treat.  

Kev Rowland, August 2025

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/judydybleofficial/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/

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