LORD OF THE AGES + MARTIN'S CAFÉ

A boxset release and an unusual one too. On the one hand you have the excellent Lord of The Ages from 1973 and on the other the alarmingly poor Martin's Cafe from 1977. So if you want to get the best and worst of the bands music then this is an excellent way to go about it. But who would do such an unusual act? For those who do not know Magna Carta's music it is Progressive Folk and Lord Of The Ages will want you crying out for more of their music. From the epic title track, the moving Father John and the slow steady Song Of The Evening the whole album is very good. Martin's Cafe is largely forgettable and apart from Easy If You Try and the clever Mixed Up Sensations there is not much else on offer unless you are an extreme prog folk enthusiast. Because of Lord Of The Ages making up half this boxset, three stars is a fair go.