THE BROKEN HEARTED BRIDE

Even though the present album reminds me of the old "vintage" folk prog, regarding the early period, especially in its mood, it seems quite different...the "key" tune is "Call to Action", originally written for another work by Dave Cousins and Conny Conrad, entitled "High Seas"; but here it's realized in a strange version, which is enriched by means of the violin and other odd istrumentation. Nevertheless- unfortunately- such tune seems pre-recorded...instead I wonder if the overall sound is equal or anyway close to their classic evergreen "Hero and Heroine" and "Ghosts" or- once again- in a different way, if you note something new in the arrangement and in the spirit too! However It's difficult to express a definitive opinion about it (as it's typical, by considering the artistic value of their compositions in general...), but the first four tracks are quite essential within a collection of folk prog, being complex enough...I'm so curious about a different version of the same tunes with Rick Wakeman at the keybaords for example (if ever He would decide to change artistic direction and come back live on stage with them, perhaps as a special guest, one day...), despite the work by Chas Cronk, "coupled" with the supporting keybaords by Cousins is good, after all!!

At the end this album is quite essential within its particular genre, which is a bit far away from the polyphonic folk of the Renaissance, in the most progressive sense of the term I mean, but nevermind...You'll choose to check it out at least, in any case, even by erasing one star from the final score!!