Jon Thorne Danny Thompson

Jon Thorne and Danny Thompson’s CV are pretty remarkable having played with the likes of Pentangle, Badly Drawn Boy, Robert Fripp amongst a host of other luminaries. This project apparently draws on ECM inspired European jazz, classical electronica and folk.

It may well do but the overall tone of the album is of new-age ambience, minus the blips and drips. It’s reverential throughout and the performances from all concerned are outstanding. The choral parts save this from being totally instrumental and, frankly, save the title track from being hijacked by an annoying disembodied clarinet.

The album is broken up into three movements but why is not really clear as there is no discernible change in tempo or atmosphere. The album meanders through various soundscapes, featuring a multitude of instruments, and it that sense it works very well. Just lie back and be transported to wherever you want to go.

You’ll get from Watching the Well what you invest in it; some may have transcendental experiences, others might just find that the ironing is less of a chore.