Multi-instrumentalist Darryl Way has been at this for a while. He first came to the fore as the co-founder and violinist of the progressive-rock group Curved Air in 1970, alongside keyboardist Francis Monkman and singer Sonja Kristina.
When that band imploded in the early ’70s, he formed Darryl Way’s Wolf, though he participated in numerous Curved Air reunions. He also did some studio work, contributing to Jethro Tull’s Heavy Horses before recording numerous solo albums. That includes the first Destinations, released in 2019. It was a showcase of instrumentals inspired by Way’s imagined journeys to exotic places. Now Destinations 2 continues those journeys, and like that earlier recording, Darryl Way performs at least as much on guitar as on violin.
The opening “Alhambra Knights,” brings to mind the Moors of 13th century Spain. The focus here is mostly on Way’s acoustic guitar. “Mother Earth” is very Floydian, especially reminiscent of when David Gilmour and company recorded with an orchestra. Wait, that never happened? Well, it just did. Way’s electric guitar certainly channels Gilmour, and the instrumental atmosphere in keeping with Pink Floyd classics from the ’70s such as Animals and Wish You Were Here.
“Café de Paris” indeed recalls that bastion of French culture. “Choctaw Ridge” is a spirited hoedown, while the following “Rio Grande” is appropriately expansive in scope. Many of the others don’t necessarily bring to mind musical traditions from that destination – “Vegas” and “Ocean Blues,” for example – but are still thoroughly enjoyable. The former features a loping beat for Darryl Way and the orchestra, while the latter is a mournful excursion that brings to mind a blues-rock guitarist fronting the Mannheim Steamroller.
“Fiesta Mexicana” showcases Way’s guitar, and “Hungarian Rhapsody” his violin, both demonstrating his ability to write and play in very different styles. The brief “Across a River Wide” is the only vocal track, and as such seems an odd way to conclude an otherwise successful and enjoyable set of rock-ish instrumentals.
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