AMARYLLIS

What can I say. I love this band ever since a friend exposed me to this band 10 years ago. I must have heard the 20+ minute title track to this album over 1000 times in the last 10 years and I never get tired of it. The album toys with emotions of joy, sadness, melancholy, fear and even has a sense of humor. The lyrics are wonder and can leave many with their own perception of what many of the songs are all about (I'm still trying to figure out what the lyrics of Amaryllis are all about after 10 years and lovin' every minute of the mystery). Etheral/pastoral vocals from both female/male, wonderful harmonies and unforgettable melodies up and down the album.

And if that is not enough, we are graced by Danny Thompson's (of Pentangle) hypnotic double-bass and Tony Cox (of Pentangle) on drums.

For me, it does not get any better than this. Sure I love bands like King Crimson, the italian prog acts, germany's finest, yes, etc... But with all of those bands, it's Bread/Love and Dreams that holds a special place with me.

Others may not be all that excited with this band but they strike a chord (and such a good chord with me).

The last 4-5 minutes of the title track is pure heaven with the organ (they just don't make it sound like that anymore. Even if it's dated, I love it more and more compared to the digital stuff they play today), etheral vocal harmonies, poetic lyrics and a fade off so appropriate that it begs for a replay.

This is just one of those albums I consider an acid-folk masterpiece. Mark Fry's "Dreaming with Alice", Roger Rodier's album and Montreal's "A summer night", the Justin album and the Nick Drake albums are on that list as well.

BLD = "Essential" for me. Check 'em out if you like Hippy psychadelic/flower folk with awesome melodies.

I wish this band would have made more albums. Guess they were dropped by the record label because their albums were not selling. Just proves to me that "quality music" and "sales success" are mutually exclusive. A lot of junk out their sells. A lot of quality out there is lost and forgotten. This is one such prime example.

If I could thank the members of this band personally for 3 great essential prog-folk masterpieces, I'd be honored. They deserve every last bit of thanks!!!

A classic to my ears!!!!