Guitar hero Gordon Giltrap has jumped back in the rock saddle, with a new full band, and an album recorded with keyboard wizard Oliver Wakeman.

Gordon and Oliver, son of ‘’Yes’’ man Rick Wakeman, are curently touring with the band, to promote the new CD, Raven’s And Lullabies, stopping off in Swindon on Sunday April 27.

Gordon hit the charts in 1978 with a massive chartbuster called Heartsong, which became the theme tune for the BBC’s Holiday programme, and is instantly recognised all over the world. The guitarist has appeared on TV’s Top of the Pops and the Old Grey Whistle Test. Last year he expanded and re-released his trio of Prog Rock classic albums from the 1970s, Perilious Journey, Visionary and Fear of the Dark on Esoteric Records.

Since teaching himself to play guitar at 12 years of age, the Kent-born musician first immersed himself in the folk rock influence of the 1960s, naming Bert Jansch and Mike Oldfield as huge influences.

Although he is back wearing his rock mantle, Gordon’s folk roots gel well with the fleet-fingered Oliver, who was keyboard player with the folk rock giants The Strawbs, before taking his father’s place in the rock band Yes.

He and Gordon have worked together as a duo and in a band, but this current project is all about the rock element. Joining Gordon and Oliver in the Ravens and Lullabies’ band are rock heavy weights Paul Manzi lead singer from Arena, Johanne James and Steve Anderson from Threshold, and Nick Kendall who has just finished his run in the Rock Of Ages musical in the West End.

Gordon is no stranger to musical theatre himself, as he worked wih Cliff Richard on Heathcliff the musical, playing the musical narrator and composing some of the songs.

On Sunday, April 27 the band will rock up at The Vic, Victoria Road in Old Town, Swindon, for a gig starting at 8pm. Tickets are £15 from 01793 535713. - Flicky Harrison