AUNT MARY

Reading some of the reviews for this truly leaves me concerned as to whether the goal is sometimes to try the first couple of tracks from an album and then report here about how "prog" it is.

An excellent album, Aunt Mary's Loaded covers quite a bit of ground. This is certainly a hard rock album, but it is much more. "Delight" would not be out of place on some obscure RPI album from 1970 or 1971, with amazing multi-falsetto vocals finding harmony in a sensationally catchy chorus that is draped over a soft acoustic guitar backdrop. Pt. II of "Farewell My Friend" is like some amazing ELP outtake, with bass that cuts through a minefield of ripping organ work. In fact, the latter part of the album really sounds quite ELP-influenced, but often retains a riffing style more in the Deep Purple vein.

The CD released by Phillips/Polygram sounds excellent. No credit that I can find but very nicely mastered by somebody with a nice ear for this album and an obvious appreciation for what seems to have already been a quality engineering job on the original recordings. If Deep Purple appeals to you and you have a soft spot for a bit of an early 70s progressive twist on that sound, this is going to hit the spot.

Aunt Mary's third and final album is an odd beast. The heavy psych I remember from their debut is still there, but they seem to have tried to spice up their sound by borrowing extremely heavily from the most popular prog acts of the time. In particular - as in the songs Path of Your Dream and For All Eternity - the band will from time to time do their absolute best to sound as much like Yes as they possibly can, though other influences do creep in - some quiet acoustic passages a la Trespass-era Genesis here, a few Keith Emerson keyboard lines there.

But it's the shameless Yes mimicry that really stands out, and that's a shame, because it overshadows some of the more original aspects of the album, such as the sinister Nocturnal Voice. On balance, I have to give this only two stars. It's a competently performed album that shows promise, but the fact is that there's a thin line between paying homage to your musical influences and just trying to hitch a free ride on their success, and Janus crosses it at a couple of points with gusto - and more than that (and this is the greater sin) it doesn't do so in an interesting way.

Aunt Mary's debut album isn't really in the prog style they would eventually develop on Janus, their third album; instead, it's a rather typical and not especially interesting hard rock album with plenty of psychedelic touches. There's brass and string sections popping in here and there, but they're used in a fairly unimaginative way and don't add very much to proceedings. The performances and the material performed are adequate, but adds nothing particularly new or vital to the body of psychedelic work from the era.

Most of the ideas the band try out had previously been done better by other groups back in the 1960s, so the sound of the album must have been rather dated even when it first came out. By modern standards, it's decidedly inessential; there's plenty of superior hard rock-psych hybrids out there, and most of them are more memorable than this album.

Third and the last studio album from Norwegian early progressive band Aunt Mary. Not so heavy, as previous two, but still hard rock based. More symphonic elements added.

I like this music - early hard rock based progressive, with still very acoustic sound, melodic songs and natural energy and beauty. Later too many will try to exploit this formula for making money unhappily.

Sound is well balanced, all musicians -very competent. Just to imagine what their music is, think about early Uriah Heep (without heavy organ passages). Vocals are great as well, and common music atmosphere is real early 70-s.

Very important band in Norwegian progressive rock history. Dated quite well, so it is really pleasant album for every early heavy prog lover.

3.5 for sure

Third album of this legendary band from Norway named Janus from 1973 is a big inprovement over previous one Laded. Now we can talk about a heavy prog album, nothing realy eclectic here and less rockier than Loaded for sure. Aunt Mary begun to sound better, more progier, the hard rock elements are just second phase and the progressive rock come first in their vision here. This album remind me a lot of May Blitz or Birth Control, almost same heavy key passages who invade the album, but combined very well with the guitar who now is more diverse and less hard rock. This album s a perfect blend between hard rock and hevy prog, with up tempo pieces, good musicianship , good vocals and solid druming. The instruments sound better then before with a plus on guitar, very fine moments but aswell the keyboards are more influnced by prog arrangements, is a little more complicated rather then a background instrument like on Loaded. Some acustic guitar interplay very well and change the mood of the piece in a good manner.This time Aunt Mary tried and succed to come with a more valueble album, they are more confident in their musical abilities, is better crafted and for sure more diverse. I wonder why when they reach to the perfect balance between hard rock and heavy prog they disbanded, they just become better then before with Janus. Better in any way then predecesors this album was the last one from this famous norwegian band, who has a meteoric career but left their mark in heavy prog movement from this country. Not an essential listning for sure but worth some spins if you like this kinda of prog.3.5 for Janus , pleasent all the way. Forte tracks all, not a weak moment here, specialy I prefer opening track Path of your dream, For all eternity or Candles of Heaven who represents the best what this band has.

One of the pioneers of norwegian rock is for sure Aunt Mary. They are considered one of the best from this country and aswell one of the first who explore the hard rock territories with progressive elements. They released 3 albums in early '70's this one is from 1972 named Loaded. I know Aunt Mary for 2 years now and I was quite pleased to have their last two albums. Loaded is a hard rock album with some heavy prog leanings and for sure not an eclectic one as is stated here in the description of the band. Being similar with Jeronimo from Germany same period, Jerusalem or Junipher Greene their country fellows Aunt Mary did agood job on this second effort but nothing over the top, just almost plain hard rock all almost all the pieces. It was a typical album foor that period to combine hard rock with progressive elements, but in this case the progressive elements are only fiew and specially in keyboards department, who are to tell the truth not very adventurous. The album beggin very strong with an instrumental pieces Playthings of the wind, pure hard rock with some excellent guitar work and solid bass lines, one of the best from here for sure, the next piece Joinin the crowd is a bluesy kinda tune up tempo , good piece remind a lot of the old good times in rock music, great piece while nothing complicated here just pleasent . The rest of the pieces are ok, nothining groundbreaking but pleaset all of them. So a good album , far from being an essential listning but with some catchy riffs and solid bass lines and drum chops.3 stars

I see something. It looks like signs of progressivness, but for example first track, "Whispering Farewell" is combined with so annoying melody, that it's hard to hear them here (first I though that the line is ""ice cream man""). but second one, "Did You Notice?" is instant change. And second change (in pace, from flute driven sound to heavy prog) within song, after 1/3 is done.

Anyway, it's strange pattern in their albums. GOOD-BAD-GOOD. But there is something I don't like about how this album sounds. This is strange kind of prog, which does not sound like it should for me, for my prog taste. It has all ingredients (I hoped that I will never use this phrase), but don't fit me at all. Something here is not right. I listen to good albums, if I can make a decision. It's difficult to rate album which (as I know) will never listen to again.

3(+) and strange feeling.

Huh, majority of reviews here is 2 stars. So here wee have three points of view. Prog, rock and finally, how I personally like it.

Skilled guitar solos, very well played, voice which sounds very bluesy. In fact, I would dare to call this blues rock, at least some parts of it. But this genre is not so favourite here on PA, is it ?By far, I see it as lesser three stars. "Delight" is terrible track, vocals sounds like scratching with nails on blackboard. It's listenable album, but I understand that for its year of birth, it's not progressive at all. In fact I have strong feeling that I heard this music many times. And lyrics aren't some wise-crackng ones too as shown in "Upside Down". Sadly, good guitar work is domain mostly for first two tracks. "Farewell My Friend" shows some keyboards too, but not too much. Second part is better about it. And "Blowin Tiffany's" is probably something like epic here and, to be fair, it is very prog song.

3(-) stars for more of classic rock than prog.

This was AUNT MARY's third and final album released in 1973. A nice blend of mellow symphonic passages with that more rocking style that was more prominant on their previous release. Weird album cover I must say, but then again who calls their band AUNT MARY ? Well it was the early seventies I suppose.

"Path Of Your Dream" opens with a LED ZEPPELIN riff before it settles with vocals. Not a fan of the vocals here at times. "Mr.Kaye" has a THE BEATLES feel to it. Light and bright. "Nocturnal Voice" features strummed guitar, organ, drums, bass and vocals.This is a pretty good mid- paced and catchy tune. I like when it changes late and the guitar and drums lead the way. The intro of the opening track (LED ZEPPELIN riff) is reprised 5 minutes in. "For All Eternity" has a nice intro with some good organ. It settles with vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. I think of CARAVAN on the chorus. A hidden track comes in that features samples and silliness. It's very short.

"Stumblin' Stone" has a good dark sound to it with organ. Vocals before 4 minutes. I'm reminded of GENTLE GIANT. I like the guitar and drums after 5 minutes. "All We've Got To Do Is Dream" opens with reserved vocals and acoustic guitar. This is contrasted with the fuller sections throughout. "Candles Of Heaven" is led by organ and drums,vocals 2 minutes in. "What A Lovely Day" is my favourite. It opens with acoustic guitar ansd vocals before turning heavy 2 minutes in. Gotta love the electric guitar solo late.beautiful.

I was reminded of a lot of bands while listening to this, it's quite pleasant and well done. 3.5 stars.

This is an old norwegian classic that deserves more fans than it ever had - which is the case with all good norwegian prog bands. Norway is a small country with less than 5 million inhabitants, and back in the 70's the norwegian music-audience was more into dance band-music than prog rock. Which is sad, because less local popularity eases off the chances for an international breakthrough. Some norwegian prog bands actually became more popular in German and Switzerland back then. Aunt Mary is not the only good prog band that never became much popular globally, but they're sure one of the best I've heard, and I've heard some rarities during my 17 years in this world.

Path of Your Dream has a simple but tasty two-chords progressive-introriff that really rocks my sock. It breaks down in the verses, and has some odd & catchy lyrics. It's easy to listen too, as it is a simple composition, but might give wrong impression since it's so simple. Mr. Kaye sounds like it could be a Beatles-song, experimental and poppy. Nocturnal Voice is a song with lots of various sides and a lot of changing paces, where drummer Ketil Stensvik shows some creativity, probably inspired by Zeppelin- drummer John Bonham. The song ends surprisingly with the intro of Path of Your Dream played once again. Which could make the song more creative if the riff hadn't been used before. The next song; For All Eternity is my favourite song of the album. It has its moments where you can really heard that this is a talented band, especially in it's up-tempo moments. The only thing that slightly bothers me, is that they should have a better singer. Someone with a voice lik Jon Anderson would fit in nice in Aunt Mary. In the end, For All Eternity is an unforgettable song - it's highly progressive and catchy for those who like prog with shrieking steel-string guitars, fast tempo and Yes-like vocals (though Yes' singer is way better). Hidden Track is just a funky guitar-solo lasting about 30 seconds. Sounds like guitarist Bjørn Christiansen wrote while beeing stoned. The next track is Stumblin' Stone which I think is a great heavy rock song, with heavy distortion on the guitarists Stratocaster ( I think it is. The song might a little straight forward, and uses half the song to get started, but I think it's just gradually building up the excitement. Good song! All We've Got To Do Is Dream is the song that is closest to a ballad on this album, with beautiful acoustick guitar-licks, and some synth-riffs in the refrain, where the band chores: All we've got to do is dream - dream of life in the sun! It's a beautiful song which gets me in a good mood. Candles of Heaven is another great track, which is based on Bengt Jensen's organ-playing and synth-solo and contains Christiansens perhaps parodical Gong-like lyrics. Nice, hard to describe track, which slides perfectly into the album-closer What A Lovely Day. This song really makes the goosebumps slide down my back. The song last for almost 6 minutes of two sequences, first one is an acoustic part, where Christiansen once again showes how passionated he is a guitarist. The next part of the song is heavy, with one guitar holding a heavy rythm, while the other guitar plays fantastic solo with so much feeling and insight. A perfect album-closer!