THE MOMENT OF HEARING

Lift was a great USA progrock band that existed in two line-ups in the Seventies: the New Orleans years between 1972 and 1975 and the Atlanta years between 1975 and 1979. In 1974 the band recorded four songs but they were never released officially. In 1977 an illegal LP was released by the label Guiness Records but it lasted until 1990 until the album was legally released by the known USA progrock label Syn-Phonic from Greg Walker.

This CD is a compilation that contains the four compositions from the original album (Yes inspired and loaded with vintage keyboards like the spectacular Moog synthesizer, the ubiquitous Mellotron and the powerful Hammond organ) and five compositions from the Atlanta years. These are more mid-Genesis oriented and have female vocals in the vein of Annie Haslam (Renaissance). Most songs sound nice but not really special except the two tracks The Waiting Room (wonderful twanging acoustic guitar and a flashy synthesizer solo) and The Masque (dreamy start, great build-up featuring choir-Mellotron and a fiery guitar solo). If you don't own the Caverns Of Your Brain CD, this CD is a must. If you already have that 1990 CD, then this could be a fine addition. It's up to your taste ... and perhaps your purse?

After finishing their debut album the band decided to relocate from New Orleans to Atlanta, Georgia. Not long after the move the vocalist (male) along with the bass player left the band. So this Atlanta lineup sounds quite different as they added a female singer, a new bass player plus a second guitarist who also played mellotron. Since i've already reviewed the debut album which is included on this compilation i'll focus on the songs from the "Atlanta Years". The music here is less energetic than the "New Orleans Years" which isn't a bad thing at all, but like the debut the vocals (although different of course) I would classify as below average at best.The variety of keyboards is the highlight on this one. At one time we could be hearing the keyboardist, the guitar player playing mellotron and the singer playing synths.

"Perspectives" opens with drums and keyboards then it settles as acoustic guitar and vocals arrive. My favourite section is the instrumental passage before 4 1/2 minutes to after 7 1/2 minutes. Nice. "The Toast" is led by synths(I think) and drums as male vocals join in.The sound quality isn't the best here. Not a fan at all although the mellotron after 5 minutes is good.

"The Waiting Room" opens with mellotron, strummed guitar, bass and drums as the vocals join in. She sounds like Kate Bush here with those high pitched vocals. "The Masque" sounds good to start as it's quite pastoral. Vocals after a minute. Some aggressive guitar before 5 1/2 minutes.Some male and female vocal arrangements follow. "Wind Psalm" opens with organ then it settles with drums and piano. It picks up before 3 1/2 minutes. Orchestral-like sounds after 5 minutes to end it.

There are a lot of fans of this band out there so if your into Symphonic music with a fair amount of mellotron this might be for you.