MAGIC THEATRE

It was in the mid-Eighties that the Austrian multi-instrumentalist Gandalf visited for the first time Holland, in the famous Paradiso Theatre in Amsterdam. The gig was far from sold out, we could easily take a seat in front of the stage. There Gandalf had put his Persian carpet on the ground and he was surrounded by many analogue keyboards, acoustic - and electric guitars and a sitar (I love that mesmerizing ethnic sound!). Both the crowd as Gandalf enjoyed the concert and I had another pleasant and unforgettable progrock concert memory, so warm and pleasant.

That concert was the promotional tour for this album, in my opinion his most symphonic effort. On this site Gandalf his music is described as a kind of New Age, here it has mellow and sometimes a bit ambient climates but in general it's far from the often boring New Age atmosphere. Highlight is the long composition entitled "Castels in the sand" featuring a splendid build-up with wonderful play on the Grand piano (from classical to jazzy) and very moving, Spanish inspired acoustic guitar, supported by soft choir-Mellotron waves, GOOSE BUMPS! The other tracks sound pleasant and varied with fine interplay between acoustic - and electric guitars and keyboards (piano, synthesizers, Mellotron) along some saxophone and flute. Imagine a blend of MIKE OLDFIELD, KITARO and ANTHONY PHILLIPS.

By the way, last year I witnessed Gandalf as a support act for The Musical Box (performing "The lamb...") and I have heard that he will tour again and even visit Holland for the second time, I will be there!