Standin’ in the Shadow of the Rain in May
Iconoclassic Records has two new treasures out now. Both are rare gems that are prized by fans and ripe for (re)discovery.
Twilley, originally released in 1979, is Dwight Twilley's solo debut following two classic albums with Phil Seymour as the Dwight Twilley Band. Close in sound to the DTB records, Twilley includes rockabilly ravers (“Betsy Sue”), Lennon-esque orchestral balladry (“Out of My Hands”), and pure power pop (“Alone in My Room”). Guitarist Bill Pitcock IV is on fire throughout the album produced by Dwight, Noah Shark and Max.
The first domestic, artist-authorized reissue of Twilley (nicknamed ‘Checkerboard’ by fans) includes 7 must-hear bonus tracks – 5 previously unreleased, 2 first time on CD. Twilley (Expanded Edition) features audiophile remastering by Maria Triana from newly transferred original masters, extensive liner notes by Howie Edelson, and previously unseen photos taken by Twilley’s longtime friend and creative director Zox within a 12-page booklet designed by Chris Eselgroth.
Twilley is the third release in an extensive Dwight Twilley catalog campaign from Iconoclassic Records. Stay tuned for more Twilley in 2025!
Classic-era Kayak singer/drummer Max Werner scored a solo hit single that eclipsed his decade-long stint with the band when he released “Rain in May” in 1981 (#2 Germany, #3 Netherlands, #10 Switzerland, #10 Belgium, Top 75 U.S.). Its meticulously produced parent album, Seasons, created in collaboration with songwriter/producer Chris Pilgram, is a concept album chronicling the passage of the four seasons.
Singing drummer Max Werner was influenced by his peer Phil Collins’ groundbreaking drum sounds on Peter Gabriel 3 and “In the Air Tonight.” Seasons, too, sets massive drums against often spare synthesizer backing and spotlights Werner’s strong and distinctive vocals. The experimental yet accessible and melodic Seasons unfolds as a drum-driven symphony of early ’80s song-oriented progressive/art rock. Seasons features support from Werner’s Kayak bandmates Ton Scherpenzeel, Johan Slager, and Edward Reekers, making it a must-have for fans of the great Dutch prog band.
This first-time-on-CD reissue of Seasons also includes a first-time-on-CD bonus track, “Stop and Start,” released exclusively in the Netherlands as a non-LP follow-up single to Seasons. “Stop and Start” furthered and concluded the Werner-Pilgram partnership.
Seasons has been remastered by Wouter Bessels (Golden Earring, Tangerine Dream) from the original analogue masters. An expansive 20-page booklet designed by Chris Eselgroth includes mastering notes from Bessels and a new liner notes essay by Ralph Chapman uncovering the story behind Seasons through new interviews with Pilgram, Scherpenzeel, Reekers, engineer Ronald Prent, and Max’s then-wife and cowriter Inge Jagt. Werner himself passed away earlier this year in April; this long-awaited reissue of his solo triumph pays tribute to his legacy.
Seasons is a significant addition to the discography of Progressive Rock and Art Rock on CD. Recommended if you like Kayak, Genesis and all its solo offshoots, Kate Bush, prog pop, and electronic rock.