SCHEHERAZADE AND OTHER STORIES

Finding this album was one of the biggest revelations of my many years long exploration of the progressive rock scene. It was worthy all the hassle with Ebay and Google.

The album kicks off with an incredible good piano part before the vocals of Annie Haslam kicks in on the fantastic ten minutes long opening track Trip To The Fair. The melody is pretty nice in the beginning before it become haunting and brooding. It is clear something is wrong. This is music turned into superb drama and Annie Haslam turns my blood to ice. Superb !! The next track The Vultures Fly High is good, but nothing more. The piano drives this track again and Annie does her best. The next track, Ocean Gypsy, is a Renaissance classic. The music is haunting and really beautiful. It is not one of my favorites, but I understand those who loves it. The title track is a piece of true symphonic prog in the original sense of this phrase. Some strings supports the keys, bass and drums and creates an intro, song and crescendo at the end. The vocals are again superb. Never boring and highly rewarding. This also sums up this album.

I have some gripes with The Vultures Fly High. But I will give the opening track Trip To The Fair and the title track full marks. But this album is still an essential album for any symphonic prog fans out there. It is most certainly one of the most beautiful symphonic albums ever released.

4.5 stars from me.

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