Instead of immediately preparing for live performance, the decision was made to focus attention and effort on creating a follow-up CD, the feeling being that producing the next CD would further establish The Far Cry as a fully legitimate neo-prog-rock entity, not just a "one-off."

However, as in life, the road ahead was met with obstacles. One major blow occurred when Bryan Collin, the guitarist for the entirety of the "If Only" CD, decided to exit the band to pursue his own particular musical interests and projects. Ouch! There's a tough one: but....a few deep breaths....OK....understood. We thanked Bryan for his high quality contributions and wished him well.

Nonetheless, The Far Cry were now confronted with a gaping hole in their very existence. Their musical style, material and identity required a guitarist, and a very good one at that. The band put out the ads for a new guitarist. The needs and wants given in the ads were honest and straightforward regarding the necessary requirements.

The ads elicited a response. Yes....one. Enter Brendan Kinchla. The Berklee School of Music grad faced the daunting task of learning the material from the first CD as well as taking on and interpreting the new material that was step-by-step being presented that would comprise the next CD, "Once There Was." He had his hands full, but he didn't buckle and demonstrated that he was here to stay.

Very fortunately, so, too, was Chris Dabbo. Originally brought in as a session player during the early stages of the recording of the "If Only" CD, his connection and contributions to the compositions on the new CD, "Once There Was;" evidence his commitment as well as his developed musical skillset. He was fully on-board. Jeff and Hutch were quite gratified. The major portion of the piece "Crossing Pangea" is from Chris.

The material on this new CD was almost written and recorded in reverse order from how it is presented on the CD itself. The long, multi-faceted title piece, "Once There Was;" is from several elements and short pieces brought in by Hutch. These items contained lyrical, melodic and rhythmic form but were somewhat raw, The team of Brewer and Dabbo went to work and fleshed it all out with finding the right chords and shaping the arrangement. Chris Dabbo developed the "Dimension of Darkness" section working from one of the main melodic themes presented early on and Jeff Brewer did the same with his "Gathering of Shadows." Later, Brendan Kinchla contributed a motif in the middle of the "Falling in Line" piece. Thus it resulted in a very satisfying "all hands on deck" production.

The previously mentioned instrumental "Crossing Pangea" was done next. Similar to the "Once There Was" opus, this Chris Dabbo piece also benefited from additions from the different members with Jeff Brewer evidencing his deft hand at arrangement.

The piece that opens the CD, "Unholy Waters," was brought in by Jeff Brewer. A great deal of work went into finding its' final form. Jeff brought in a subject matter and lyrical idea and handed lyric chores over to Hutch, who accepted the challenge. Each player shines here and the Brendan Kinchla guitar solos are worthy of notice. Again, Jeff's ear and vision for arrangement brings it all home.

The last song worked on for inclusion on the CD is the melodic and slightly less aggressive ,"The Following." The subject, lyrics and basic melody were brought in by Hutch but, again, the final form was achieved through the arrangement by the ever strengthening team of Brewer and Dabbo.

Thus, the new CD presentation by The Far Cry: "Once There Was." Being released as this was written, it will be available on the streaming platforms as given in the "modern" world, yet The Far Cry would humbly suggest getting the CD and, with the graphics and enclosed lyrics booklet, actually sitting down and listening. Hmmm.....a very late-60's to mid-70's "classical era" concept.

Ah, but it;s your choice, After all, the music is for you.

Unholy Waters (14:09)

Crossing Pangea (12:38)

The Following (6:39)

Once There Was (31:05)

Robert Hutchinson:
drums, percussion, bells, spoken words

Jeff Brewer:
lead & backing vocals, bass, bass synth, bass pedals, guitar

Chris Dabbo:
piano, keyboards, vocals

Brendan Kinchla:
lead guitar, acoustic & electric guitars

Produced by Jeff Brewer, Robert Hutchinson and John Bolduc

Engineered and Mixed by John Bolduc

Photography by Len Williams

CD and website design: Brian Curran of Abacab Designs, LLC.

Recorded at Massiphonic Studios, Manchester, CT USA