GALLEONS OF PASSION

Review Nº 853

As we know, progressive rock music was born in the end of the 60's. During the 70's it was essentially a phenomenon that occurred in the UK. Despite of that, it also appeared in many other countries all over the world. But, it had an important expression in some European countries, like Germany, Italy, France, Sweden and the Netherlands. The most representative Dutch bands in those days, were probably Focus, Supersister, Kayak, Trace, Earth And Fire and Finch.

Finch was a Dutch progressive rock band that continued to be known internationally years after their final concert on 14 November 1978 at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague. Finch was established by guitarist Joop Van Nimwegen, bass player Peter Vink (vink meaning Finch in Dutch) and drummer Beer Klaasse. The first two earlier worked together in the Dutch formation Q'65. The musical leader was Joop Van Nimwegen. For lack of a good singer, Finch decided to build a repertoire of instrumental rock. Keyboardist Paul Vink soon was replaced by Clemens (Cleem) Determeijer, then a student at the Rotterdam Academy of Music. Finch released their debut album "Glory Of The Inner Force" without much success, despite have been published in the Netherlands and USA. Their second album "Beyond Expression" became popular in the Netherlands. A third album "Galleons Of Passion" was published in the Netherlands and the UK. On that album, Determijer, which wanted to be concentrated on his piano studies, was replaced by Ad Wammes. Beer Klasse was also replaced by Hans Bosboom on drums. In 1978 the partnership was discontinued when Joop Van Nimwegen wanted to quit. So, the frequent personal changes in the band made it impossible to continue.

So, "Galleons Of Passion" is the third and last studio album of Finch and that was released in 1977. The line up on "Galleons Of Passion" is Joop Van Nimwegen (electric guitar and cabasa), Ad Wammes (keyboards and flute), Peter Vink (bass guitar and cowbell) and Hans Bosboom (drums and percussion).

Finch with this third and last album plays a beautiful melodic instrumental rock on "Galleons Of Passion". If you dare to tread thin ice in instrumental music, you can easily fall as it should offer quite a bit due to the missing vocals. But Finch pulls them out of the affair more than respectably, because their music is just bursting with some great melodies and sounds, without sinking into the absolutely easily digestible melodic swamp. Rather, the band knows how to skilfully keep their compositions on the same level. The guitar is dominant in the melody and the keyboards in the wide variety of background music. Due to the melodic part, the tempo is forced to be slow, up to medium tempo. Since there are only five pieces on this album, there is enough time for development and variety in the individual songs. Quite relaxed, the flutes are played briefly, the keyboards run slow and the guitar solos are solemn. It's nice to listen to, really dreamy.

So, "Galleons Of Passion" has only five tracks. "Unspoken Is The Word" starts out with a wailing guitar. Then the keyboards come in and after a while there's a much laid back atmospheric part with guitar on the foreground and layers of keyboards in the beneath of it. Joop shows that he can really play with feeling. The melodies of this song are rather straightforward and accessible. The band sounds quite a lot like Focus on this track. "Remembering The Future" is shorter and starts off with the typical Finch sound of this album before it ends with Peter Vink's unique sounding bass and a bunch of percussion. The sound is very slow moving, but after over two minutes the track turns very percussive a bit in the Latin style. "As One" is very spacial and this is the reason why it has been often described as Focus playing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". This track is again very melodic and with some great guitar melodies, very clear and very pronounced. "With Love As The Motive" is divided into three parts, "Impulse", "Reaching" and "Sinful Delight?". It's the longest track that again starts off spacial. The track starts out quite menacing and is supported by a repetitive guitar/keyboard riff. All over the track there are cool guitar riffs and spacy string synths, before the rather mellow finale. "Reconciling" is quite (jazz) rocky that features some totally mind blowing intense passages that harkens back to the finer moments of "Glory Of The Inner Force". It has a long terrific guitar solo too. It's a killer way to close this album.

Conclusion: "Galleons Of Passion" basically continues in a similar symphonic fusion style, but the music has become more accessible. More symphonic elements were built in, which, together with an elegiac string treatment, unfold a dreamy character. The sound often unfolds a majestic grace, which then increases to a euphoric climax. Dynamic and explosive arrangements are still woven in, which provide the necessary moments of tension. The striking lead guitar continues to set the pace and duels with fanfare like keyboard runs. The jazz- rock elements were largely thrown way but the dreamy instrumental sequences pile up to a dense elegance. Finch's last album reaches its emotional peak and shines with a sumptuous bombastic sound. "Galleons Of Passion" is definitely the most accessible of Finch's albums.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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