(A BALLAD OF) A PEACEFUL MAN

Gravy Train is and was always considered a band that for some resons never hit big time in prog scene, they were in shadow of the bands that emerges in late '60's to early '70's, and I'm talking about the big names of that period, Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Tull. While their music is more heavy prog in places with a good dose of folk here and there with excellent flute arrangements, Gravy Train has a special emotional atmosphere on almost every piece , mainly because of Norman Barrett voice. The music besides heavy prog with folk touches has that psychedelic feel of late '60's british music, very well combined with more rougher ones, the guitar of Norman Barrett does the main work here. A peaceful man is their second album from 1971 , from totaly of 4 albums released between 1970-1975, when disbanded and gone almost unnoticed in prog circles. This album is a little better then predecor in my ears, is more solid, more better composed, and has a special atmosphere of that early '70's progressive music. All the pieces are good, not a weak moment here, the guitar, keys where are more in front, the voice, and the flute done a wonderful job, living the listner with no regrets that he was able to listen to them. Even the album was released in the golden era of prog, and specially when progressive music was taking wings, this second album is considered also a classic or a lost little gem in prog music. As a whole A peaceful man is no masterpiece or close, but is enjoyble and has some very good moments. They remind me in places , maybe because of the flute with Jethro Tull early years, but aswell some comparation with french Triode is obvious. Best track are to me:Jule's Delight with nice string arrangements and superb chorus, Old tin box, a heavy prog piece withe some great sax interplay with the rest of the instruments, Home again another worthy track with great flute play, the rest are ok. Something worth mentioning is that the whole album is mid tempo with here and there some laid back moents, but very good combined to each other. The pieces flow very nice one to other living the listner satisfied about this second Gravy Train release. I will give 3 stars, a good album all the way, not a weak moment, maybe Alone in Georgia is lesser good with a country feel, but the rest are all good and even great in places. A little underrated band from early years of prog with their own contribution to the unmatch world of progressive music.