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TERRACED GARDEN

Crossover Prog • Canada


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Terraced Garden picture
Terraced Garden biography
Canadian project TERRACED GARDEN is the creative vehicle of composer and instrumentalist Carl Tafel. In 1981 he hit a studio to record material he had composed over the years that didn't fit his previous band Ex Libris and Cardboard Brains. He was accompanied by Peter Weeks (drums) and Ian Colvin (reeds, woodwinds) for the initial sessions, and later Simon Jacobs (violin) was invited to supplement the recordings. Tafel ran out of money before the recording sessions were finished, but one year later he returned to finish them, this time accompanied by Phil Dewhurst (drums). The end result was released in December 1982 as Menace & melody under the Terraced Garden moniker.

With an album release Tafel set about to form a band that could perform the material live, as well as writing additional material for live and later recording purposes. Darrell Flint (bass), Scott Weber (drums), Jody Mitchell (guitars) and Simon Jacobs (violin) hooked up with Tafel, and following extensive gigging in their local Toronto scene they managed to build a loyal fanbase. In 1984 they hit the studio again, resulting in the release of Braille later the same year. But while the album got it's fair share of positive reviews nationally and internationally the sales didn't manage to fulfil the needs of a permanent band, and in 1985 Terraced Garden disbanded as a live unit.

1986 saw Tafel return to the studio, this time accompanied by Darrell Flint (bass) and Garry Flint (drums), and for the next two years the material was slowly assembled into the third full length album to be released under the Terraced Garden moniker: Within, issued in 1988. As with the previous albums this production was met with critial acclaim, and Tafel decided to assemble a new live band, this time consisting of the Flint brothers, Mark McLay (guitars) and Rob Falco (drums). The next year saw the band establishing themselves as a popular live act in their local scene, but as matters didn't progress any further Terraced Garden once again called it a day as a permanent band in 1989.

Life and circumstance prevented any further efforts by this band project for the next years. Tafel joined the band Station Twang as a bassist in 2000, and have also occasionally been doing solo gigs over the years. On rare occasions Terraced Garden have been revived for live purposes as well, although without any permanent members as this has solely been sporadic events. Tafel have also been working on a new Terrace...
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TERRACED GARDEN discography


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TERRACED GARDEN top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.89 | 8 ratings
Melody And Menace
1982
3.68 | 10 ratings
Braille
1984
4.00 | 3 ratings
Within
1988

TERRACED GARDEN Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

TERRACED GARDEN Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

TERRACED GARDEN Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

TERRACED GARDEN Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

TERRACED GARDEN Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Braille by TERRACED GARDEN album cover Studio Album, 1984
3.68 | 10 ratings

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Braille
Terraced Garden Crossover Prog

Review by gr8dane

4 stars I like to thank historian9 for pushing for this band to be included at progarchives.They do totally belong here,and I understand that it might have been a little tricky to categorize these guys.I was lucky enough to catch Terraced Garden live a couple of times and they were excellent.Great musicians changing between instruments between themselves.

Then there is psarro's great review of Melody and Menace.A very appropriate title I would say.His review is spot on on and there is no way I could better it.So in using his review to review these,here goes.

I am kinda gonna review there 3 albums in this review for Braille,cause there is no mistaking who's playing and the albums are sorta the same but yet with little differencies between the 3.

Melody and Menace is a band with some great ideas and putting them all on vinyl.It may seem a bit scattered but there is a lot of charm here.Between 3 1/2 and 4 stars.

Braille is my favourite.Sound has been tightened up,music is less scattered and it much catchier and easy to digest.Not a weak song here.4 solid stars.

Within,sound has been tightened up even more and at the same time they are rocking out more,but there is no mistaking who is playing here.Also between 3 1/2 and 4 stars.

So indeed ,if you are a fan of Gentle Giant,Happy the Man,The Moodies and maybe Gnidrolog you will be a happy camper with these guys.

 Melody And Menace by TERRACED GARDEN album cover Studio Album, 1982
3.89 | 8 ratings

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Melody And Menace
Terraced Garden Crossover Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Different sounding than most of the bands around the same time,Toronto-based TERRACED GARDEN were the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Carl Tafel,who was a member of heavy sounding rock bands Ex Libris and Cardboard Brains.He began recording tracks for the band's debut in 1981 with the help of by drummer Peter Weeks,woodwind player Ian Colvin (from Ex Libris) and violinist Simon Jacobs.Tafel run out of money,the project stayed in hiatus for sometime,before returning the next year with Phil Dewhurst this time on drums and finishing the recordings and mixing of the album.Around Christmas 82' ''Melody and menace'' was finally released.

The album is a fantastic journey through the different streets of the progressive rock world with a band delivering a mixed but captivating bag of sounds.Sometimes I wonder if GENTLE GIANT or HAPPY THE MAN were formed in the 80's,how they would sound like?Perhaps ''Melody and menace'' is the answer.Filled with piano,mellotrons,violins,acoustic guitars and flutes,most of the tracks explore the sounds of symphonic music,jazz tradition and relaxed acoustic folk in one package.You can add the soft and ethereal multi-vocal harmonies and background choirs to the mix to get a soundscape of unmet beauty.On the other hand the band can play also some really intricate and dynamic guitar-based rock with an obvious fusion breeze,supported by the powerful drums and the pounding bass lines with nice keys on the background.Short tracks with fine interplays,dreamy vocals and adventuruous blend of instruments,sounding very modern until today.Can you ask for more?

Unfortunately this album never got a CD-reissue and propably that's a good reason why it remained in obscurity.Recommended to all prog fans who love KING CRIMSON,GENTLE GIANT,HAPPY THE MAN and ECHOLYN.

Thanks to windhawk for the artist addition.

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