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Golden Earring - Golden Earring [Aka: Wall of Dolls] CD (album) cover

GOLDEN EARRING [AKA: WALL OF DOLLS]

Golden Earring

 

Prog Related

3.86 | 67 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Golden Earring was one of the bands that colored my childhood in the 70s through their song 'From Heaven From Hell' taken from 'Together' (1972) album because my brother, Jokky, kept playing the cassette. Since then I was quite familiar with the music and I explored other albums like 'The Wall of Dolls' (Golden Earring). I was then aware that actually this Dutch band started in 1961 in The Hague. I always consider GE (not general Electric, of course) as rock'n'roll band with their compositions mainly using rhythm section as basic elements of their music. On top of that are the guitar, vocal plus sometime flute. This album is actually a sixth album while the previous five I have never heard it until now. One thing that I admire from this band who initially put The Beatles as their main influence is their solod line-up of Barry Hay (vocals, guitar, flute and saxophone, member since 1968), George Kooymans (vocals and guitar, founder of band), Rinus Gerritsen (bass and keyboard, founding member), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums and percussion, member since 1970). They have sold millions of albums worldwide, and they are the oldest rock band in the world that are still performing today. This year they celebrate their 48th birthday ? one year younger than me! (ooops! I'm getting old ?,oh dear ?)

Solid composition combining psychedelic and blues

The roots of their music are basically psychedelic, pop with some flavor of prog, using blues style in some of the compositions. Like in 'Yellow And Blue', the acoustic guitar at intro part layered by ambient flute work confirms their standing in psychedelic with bluesy style. It's a killing track and it's good being put as the album opener. As the music moves, it changes into energetic style maintaining good melody through the vocal line. The harmonies created through vocal and flute are excellent. It might reminds you to the music of Jethro Tull, actually.

'The Loner' relies in itself with the soft guitar riffs that bring the music into medium tempo composition with good melody. You can see the bass guitar playing is quite attractive throughout the song combined with catchy guitar riffs. The guitar solo is also stunning. 'This Is The Time Of The Year' brings the music into break with vocal line performance followed later with soft guitar riffs that bring the music flows in an attractive way.

The opening part of 'Big Tree Blue Sea' would definitely remind you to the kind of Focus / Jethro Tull music. This track has various styles as it moves from one segment to another. That makes a progressive move, actually, in terms of music structure. You might really categorize this as a prog song. The guitar solo and interlude at 'The Wall Of Dolls' are really stunning. 'Back Home' is like The Rolling Stones tune with flutework. The other excellent track is 'As Long As The Wind Blows'.

Overall, I consider this album as an excellent classic rock album especially with its vintage style plus flutework. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild ? GW

Gatot | 4/5 |

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