Music wise, True Myth are quite a technical sounding band, time changes galore, and an approach that fuses prog luminaries Yes, U.K and no doubt many others.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: True Myth
ALBUM: True Myth
LABEL: Warner Bros
SERIAL: TMD 2020
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Bruce Cumming – vocals * Tony Cook – guitars * Steve McKenna – bass * Tom Treumuth – piano, keyboards * Brian Bolliger – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Reach For The Heavens * 02 Light Years Before * 03 It’s Got To Be * 04 Time And Time Again * 05 Space Promenade * 06 In The Mist * 07 Song Of The World
WEBLINKS: NA
True Myth Background
Tom Treumuth is a legend in the Canadian music scene. Producer, arranger, musician, record label owner, you name it, he’s probably done it.
His origins as a musician go way back into the late 70’s, with this band True Myth (clever name huh?). From London Ontario, the band members came together at a music school. They reputedly spun this band off from a class music project.
The music was described to me as a pomp/prog crossover. Though upon hearing this, it definitely has leanings toward the progressive, with jazz/fusion influences heavy in the mix.
Interestingly, and from a technical viewpoint, ‘True Myth’ the album, was a unique recording. In that it was the second album ever to be produced digitally. Remembering 1979 was in the middle of the analog era.
Warner Bros co-opted top producer Jack Richardson to utilise a machine called the Soundstream. It would record the band playing live into this two track digital system. For trainspotters, apparently the first ever digitally recorded album was Stevie Wonder‘s ‘Secret Life Of Plants’.
The Songs
Music wise, True Myth are quite a technical sounding band. There are time changes galore, and an approach that combines Yes and U.K. And no doubt many others if I sit down and think about it a bit more. The musical chops displayed by this band is remarkable at times.
‘Reach For The Heavens’ takes us through several different passages, from Treumuth’s stabbing piano work to Bollinger’s dexterous drum work.
‘Light Years Before’ is full of piano rolls, clavinet and interesting synth parts. It takes on a Yes like personality, with Tony Cook doing his best Steve Howe rendition.
Going down the pomp path is ‘It’s Got To Be’, with strong multi-part harmonies and ever-present rhodes piano.
‘Time And Time Again’ again moves in a Yes direction. Considering how Messrs Anderson, Wakeman etc were obsessed with ‘time’ in their lyrics, it’s a good fit!
The obligatory ballad on the album ‘Space Promenade’ also happens to be an instrumental.
‘In The Mist’ features excellent vocals from Cumming, the track a progressive workout with everyone taking a lead.
Though mostly restrained, ‘Song Of The World’ picks up momentum, it’s etheric sound reminding us of latterday Stencil Forest and Starcastle.
In Summary
The band would return for one more album, 1981’s ‘Telegram’ with a slightly altered lineup. Both albums though collectors items at best, did not move a lot of units, but still remain a cultured taste among Canada’s prog-literati.
Treumuth would go on to produce many Canadian acts, most notably Helix, The Breits and Honeymoon Suite. He is still involved in the industry today (as at 2009), and it’s great to see him featured here at Glory Daze.
For those wanting to hear a good slice of Canadian prog, go no further than True Myth.
True Myth on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
