THE MISSING FIREFLIES...

This is a compilation album of both studio and live tracks. The live music is from 1977 and the studio tracks are either seventies songs that weren't completed back then and finished here (tracks 1 & 2) or different versions of those 1977 songs (tracks 3 & 4). The biggest compliment I can give this band is that the new music they have recorded here (tracks 1-4) is amazing. These guys sound as good if not better than they did with their 1977 classic. Unfortunately the power and beauty of the first four songs disappears with those final three live tracks. The sound quality isn't nearly as good on those live ones sadly. I have to mention the cover art as well which rivals the famous one from their 1977 debut. Beautiful stuff.

"Crescendo" opens with pulsating organ that builds as drums, synths then guitar join in. Vocals before 2 minutes. Piano and drums lead 4 minutes in then the vocals return 5 1/2 minutes in as it settles. It kicks back in a minute later. "Sequenza Circolare" is a short intro for the next track and it consists of piano melodies then bang ! It kicks in at the start of "La Giostra". Amazing sound ! Vocals follow. This is simply gorgeous. It's so uplifting after 4 minutes. By the way this track was featured on their 1977 live album but not on the studio album back then. "Non Chiudere A Chiave Le Stelle" is from that 1977 studio album. It's mellow to start with mellotron. And yes it's real mellotron, in fact an M400. Vocals a minute in.

As I mentioned the live tracks just don't sound nearly as good although I kind of got used to the sound by the closing 8 minute song.

I will be keeping this in my rotation simply to listen to those 4 amazing opening songs. These guys still have it ! A low 4 stars.