Shallow Willow - 2026 - Earendel

(34:40; Shallow Willow)





























It is not often that I have no idea whatsoever about how to approach a review, but that is what is happening here, and even as I sit at the keyboard, I have no idea what it is I am going to write. Thierry Sportouche and I have been friends for probably 30 years, and I have been writing for his fanzine Acid Dragon for even longer than that. He is well known in the prog scene not only for his ongoing efforts to promote progressive rock, but also for being involved in bands such as Caladan, Silver Lining and Silver Hunter (with Tim Hunter) and has also provided lyrics for Anoxie. So when he asked me to listen to his latest project, Shallow Willow, I of course obliged, yet as I played it something didn’t feel quite right. 

The album varies tremendously in style, and I only felt I could really hear Thierry on one track, “Harvest”, while the rest felt incredibly polished and bouncing, not normally what I would equate with Thierry’s music at all. Speaking with him it later transpired that most of this album has been created with artificial intelligence. Apart from “Harvest”, where he provided music and lyrics, and “Springtime” where Thierry provided the lyrics and AI provided the music,  the rest of the album was created by Thierry providing lyrics and music which was then used by AI to create a band and vocalists. Is this the next stage in musical evolution, just carrying on from effects pedals, synthesisers and backing tapes, or is it a technology being used which has been trained on others work for which they have not been paid, but is that any different to musicians copying licks from Hendrix, Beck, Page, Clapton et al?

My head keeps going round and round in circles, especially as there are some really nice songs on here, especially the ones with “female” vocals and part of me wants to truly dislike it as I don’t like the use of AI to “fool” us, but at the same time is it just a clever person using skills to advance their art? I don’t know, I keep losing the plot, so all I will say is that if you have a very open mind then you should listen to this as Thierry has created some modern prog numbers which are fresh and interesting, but if you believe this is the devil’s work stay well away. 

Kev Rowland, March 2026

Links:
https://shallowwillow.bandcamp.com/

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