RESTORATION

Probably I would rate this album very good to good because although there are good songs on it I miss the excellence of the three early '70s Island albums. This is not nostalgia: In the early '70s they used more instruments to create a pseudo-Renaissance sound which made them so fascinating. Still, I would like to see Amazing Blondel in concert any time (I've never attended a concert so far). They are still said to be excellent 'live'.

One of the names I picked up as worth checking out when studying 'similar artists' -links of allmusic.com. "Medieval moody Blues" sounded VERY interesting, since I like both Moodies and Early Music - and of course folk-prog such as Tull and Strawbs. "England" was in fact the first one I heard. Recently I overtaped my taping of it (by Dusty Springfield - what a wondeful singer!). This CD is probably enough of Amazing Blondel for me. After having big expectations of something unheard before, AB was some sort of disappointment. AB misses some feeling of early vocal music but has not much anything else either. List of instruments sounds better than the modest music itself, where the acoustic guitar dominates and flute, harpsichord or organ have only minor roles. But I must say this is quite respectable comeback after 25 years or so and a respectable alternative to our noisy modern music world. I just wish they were more daring and put more prog/art rock elements in their music. I prefer Magna Carta (a folksy art rock band from 70's - ought to be here too if it isn't).

Restoration is exactly what you would expect from a band of this type. Good songs confidently performed by a well established band. The music itself is reminisent of 17/18th century tunes, as intended I guess! but brought up to date and given a slightly rocky twist. The use of harpsichord, dulcimers & mandolin make the music so different to almost anything else I own, and well worth exploring. And with so much original music of the Charles II/James II era, comedy plays a part in many of the songs.(eg. Sir John in love again). My own favourite from this album is Road to Sedgemoor. I must rate this album lower than I actually want to though just because my hobby of re-enactment is what drew me to it and therefore I have a biased opinion.

Too many bands reunite for all the wrong reasons and then proceed to show us that they can no longer sing, write, play or arrange. Amazing Blondel's first album as a trio since 1973 seems to result from a genuine desire to come together as a band. The general basis for their sound remains intact - the almost entirely acoustic ancient instrumentation, the vocal harmonies, the well played quaint dances of honour. Sure it's more subdued than what came in the early 70s, but what can one expect? They must all have been well into their 50s by 1997, and the compositions reflect...well, the reflective spirit of middle age. Nothing wrong with that, and in fact you might even say that the style is more suited to the grey haired to begin with. So all's well right?

Not really. Where are the really soaring harmonies, the rambunctious yet controlled melodies, the showmanship? It's just TOO sedate for words, from the opening Latin prayer right through the proceedings. This disappointing CD just never takes off, but at the same time makes me feel guilty for not liking it. It has all the raw ingredients but commits the great sin of sounding unenthusiastic, independent of what the band was feeling as they created the oeuvre. This might explain why it appears to have been a one off. It's like a restored mechanical device that looks good behind glass, but simply can't pass muster in its original environment.

While I looped the "Amazing Blondel" loop with this album, I was not quite enthusiast to review this last album. It was released more than twenty years after the dreadful and well titled "Bad Dreams" and I was actually expecting the worse from this "Restoration".

What I have discovered is actually a quite pleasant folk album. After the deception of the opening track, the whole album flows nicely from one nice little folk song to another.

There is nothing great nor revolutionary featured on this work, but the whole is nice to listen to: some fine fluting overall and the acoustic guitar parts are rather enjoyable as well. Some tracks are instrumental and highlights the skills of man in charge of the classic guitar.

I have never been a deep fan of this band since none of their previous albums scored higher than two stars in my books. For this time, I will rate this one with three stars because it left a sweet mark on my mind.