Two Sides Of Peter Banks

After his groundbreaking stint with Yes and his brief time with Flash, guitarist Peter Banks took a break from the band scene; he rounded up a stellar group of musical friends and recorded a set of solo tunes ranging from serene to bracing. 1973's Two Sides of Peter Banks explores the edges of the prog-rock spectrum with instrumental intricacy and melodic grace, bolstered by contributions from guitarists Jan Akkerman and Steve Hackett (from Focus and Genesis, respectively), King Crimson bassist John Wetton, and ex-Flash drummer Mike Hough. Banks’ nuanced style and penchant for subtle effects are evident in the luminous “Visions of the King,” the classically inflected “The White House Veil,” and the boldly dynamic “Knights.” More angular and freewheeling are “Battles,” "Stop That!,” and “Get Out of My Fridge,” featuring Phil Collins' vigorous drumming. For sheer dreaminess, “Last Eclipse” and “Beyond the Loneliest Sea” compare favorably with the best of Banks’ work with Yes. Two Sides of Peter Banks is a beguiling detour from the guitarist’s higher-profile projects, containing some of his most finely wrought compositions rendered with a virtuosic touch.