THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Preston can sing! He has such character in his voice. I mean it sounds dated, sounding like he's from the late sixties. but man he can let it rip. There's a folk vibe to his voice, sort of similar at times to the singer from COMUS. The band would then get signed to Capitol Records but when Capitol heard the final result they weren't happy. They wanted a more commercial styled music than what was created on "Lies To Live By". The band stood their ground, and a lawsuit resulted. The album would finally get it's release a year later in 1974, but not on Capitol, and a much smaller release as a result. Sadly this album barely caused a ripple. You gotta love these clueless record executives.

We get six tracks over 41 minutes. The first three songs really bring that folk vibe out with the vocals and stories. Even though the music isn't folk. "All The Wrong Roads" opens with slide guitar as acoustic guitar then vocals join in. It picks up quickly with drums and bass joining the party. And talk about folky, check it out at 1 1/2 minutes. "Stay Dead Lazarus" and the next tune "Voice In The Wilderness" reference the Bible which is interesting since Bob would eventually become a Pastor. The first of those is like a dark, folk inspired piece where the bass leads much of the time. Nice. The latter is quite uplifting to my ears. The bass again is upfront. Some piano later. We're having fun 2 minutes in. Such a feel good tune.

Those first three songs are all under 4 1/2 minutes. The next three are 9 to 11 minutes in length, and no doubt of great interest to Prog fans. "War Story" is an anti-war tune that opens with heavy gun fire that had me looking in confusion at my stereo. I had just spent time with BLISTERING MOMENTS "Therapeutic Dreams" where we get this heavy gun fire on a couple of tracks. I was briefly confused(haha). This is one of two songs with mellotron on it. Love when it kicks in at 3 minutes. The wordless vocals, the ripping guitar solos. An earlier theme returns at 5 minutes. Mellotron and piano follow.

"Factory" is my favourite. Those vocals really shine on this one. Lots of energy right out of the gate. A calm with piano follows. This all changes before 2 minutes as the guitar lights it up and we get those repeated lines "Down at the factory." The guitar gets a little crazy after this then a welcomed calm at 4 minutes. Another calm at 5 1/2 minutes where it's almost silent. Then those words "Everything's under control" over and over. This reminds me of THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS and their "Chemical Playschool 10" record, and in particular the song "Saucers #1" where Ed Ka-Spel announces over and over "We do not have everything under control."

Finally we get the closer "Beyond The Fields We Know" which is the longest at over 11 minutes. Mellotron on here along with some inventive instrumental work. Whispered vocals at one point before it builds before 8 minutes with emotion. Wordless vocals follow. An adventerous way to end this record. I read that a young Alex Lifeson would go and see Bob and his bands many times, while Bob in return would eventually do the same with RUSH. This album and RUSH's debut were released the same year. Bob was on his way of getting out of music while Alex was just getting started. Passing the torch as it were. This album is a monster and it's part of my "best of" Eclectic list.

Vocals are very good with excellent voices. Clean and wonderful sound. The craftsmanship gleams with polish. The vocals have one foot in 60s folk but they stretch the tunes in exciting ways and have such a great grooves and emotions. Full of pleasant and very musical surprises. Highly listenable.

I am ever astonished at how much great music was being made during the 60's and 70's.From practically all corners of the Earth. No doubt the wars and the advent of electronic media and instruments, radio, etc. were the seeds that sprouted that generation. A new world, a new frontier. One we are still exploring. Often these days you hear bands trying to recreate these earlier styles. Ugh. Faux. I don't mind taking anything as a starting point but if you are always conscious of "coloring within the lines", well, it's nothing but painting by numbers, is it? This album is the real deal and has twists and turns that delight. Highly recommended!