MEDITERRANEAN TALES (ACROSS THE WATERS)

It is about time i reviewed this album. As Triumvirat records go, this is one of the best, but tends to be overlooked. Mediterranean Tales is the epitome of what rock fans used to call "classical rock", and is obviously inspired by the groups ELP and The Nice, what with direct quotations from classical music used. (for example, the beginning and end of side one's suite is an adaptation of the overture used in the Mozart opera "Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail")

This debut album's music is complex and sophisticated as classical music is, but in the same breath is dramatic, exciting and beautiful in the way rock music can be. The main strengths of this record are it's thrilling instrumental passages, and there are quite a few of those. At times even a bit of a jazz feel to sections that mesh with the classical parts. The vocal content and delivery is pretty average, but things are so exciting and refreshing, instrumentally, that that makes up for things.

After side one's exciting and dramatic suite comes three tracks on side two which are just as invigorating and interesting. The most wonderful part of the album for me is the last track of side two of the original lp, called Broken Mirror-beginning with a stirring part for solo piano by Jurgen Fritz that is deeply moving, and then the rest of the band kicks in.

All in all, this record hangs together well, and has stood the test of time for me. And even greater things were to come with Triumvirat's next two releases, and the addition of keyboardist Jurgen Fritz's cousin Helmut Koellen on guitar and lead vocals. Mediterranean Tales is very worth your while to listen to, though, in itself-i rate it 5 stars. (On the 2002 remastered edition, there are two tracks that were singles that are called Ride In The Night and Sing Me A Song-they are a delight, and really worthwhile additions.)