Programme notes:

At the southern end of the Niagara Gorge, bordering the US state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario, lies a trio of waterfalls: the Niagara Falls. The largest of these is the Canadian or ‘Horseshoe’ Falls, where over half a million gallons of water fall an enormous height of 167 feet per second. Niagara is a busy town, particularly during summer when tourists are aplenty. The wide viewing stretch that runs parallel to the top of the falls provides a long walk down a heavily populated street. The Maid of the Mist – a crowded boat, bustling with passengers – transports you on the azure waters. Bypassing the smaller American Falls and a plethora of rocky cliffs, the ride initially appears steady. Soon, however, the sheer size and force of the Horseshoe Falls becomes apparent. The boat pauses on its journey. Looking up in awe from the fringes of the plunge pool, you marvel at the beauty and magnificence in front of your very own eyes. It is at this point at which the falls are so immensely vast, strikingly loud, and fiercely powerful.

Ashton's words: "When writing this, I felt the start needing to act more as an opening to the gig, and that's where the freer intro came from. The water from the falls has a sort of rhythm to it - that rhythm is the 12/8 groove that underpins the music. The piano later then plays what I called the 'waterfall riff' on the gig. I remember coming up with that name on the spot though, not really sure it worked... but it's stuck with me now!"