Prog Britannia - Album Reviews

Holy Moses! It's time now to have a listen to the first of the solid Prog-Rock tablets of stone handed down to Moses from the biblical Holy Mount of legend. We're in suitably reverential mood for "Prelude / He Is My God", which opens to the sound of a hauntingly-atmospheric church organ at the grand altar of Progressive Rock. This tremendous cathedral-esque opening number steadily builds up into the most wonderful crypt-kicking crescendo of overblown and pompous prog in all of its grandiose majesty and holy splendour. The religiously-inspired music sounds holier than the stained glass windows in Canterbury Cathedral with a grandness that's as awe-inspiring as the gleaming white marble of the Acropolis of Athens, or an ancient Roman Amphitheatre. You really have to hear this album to believe it, because the music is so powerfully inspirational that it's enough to turn a lifelong atheist into the most devout of religious believers, but that's the power and the glory of almighty Prog-Rock. After such a grand auspicious opening, How on God's Holy Earth do you follow that!?? You follow it with "Images", a dynamic Stormbringer of thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening Heavy Prog that hits you straight between the eyes with the unrelenting pounding and percussive energy of a steamhammer. When you're sufficiently recovered from that sonic attack, you can relax and bask in the warm glow of "People", an altogether gentler refrain that's simply beautiful. It's the kind of gloriously uplifting tune that makes you want to run out into the street and sing "Oh Happy Day" at the top of your voice, despite the strange bemused looks from passers-by. In fact, the entire album has a delightful celebratory air to it that makes you feel glad to be alive and full of the joys of spring, even in the bleak midwinter, in a snowstorm at midnight. Feel free to join in too and sing along with "God's Day", a song that's as bright and radiant as a brilliant ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, and sounding like a religious hybrid of early Blood, Sweat & Tears, on steroids. This fine upstanding album is like musical Viagra to the ears. It's positively bursting at the seams with joy and love and passion. Side One draws gently to a close now with "Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother", a sweet message of love and devotion that leaves you feeling all warm and cuddly inside. Altogether now, "Ahh!"

Opening Side Two in dramatic style, we arrive now at the Sixth Commandment/Song in the Decalogue: "(Thou Shalt Not) Kill", a tremendously rousing and anthemic display of pompous prog in all of its magnificent glory, featuring theatrical spoken word passages (with shades of the Moody Blues), adding a solemn and sombre air to the high drama of the occasion. After all, this is a song about a heinous murder, followed by the dastardly villain being sentenced to death by hanging, so it's literally a matter of life or death, or just a matter of death, as there's no leniency to be shown or expected for the accused here. After that dark depressing tale, it's time to lighten the mood now with the wistfully nostalgic sound of "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery", a gorgeous Folk-Pop refrain, bringing back fond memories of The Seekers in their heyday. Salamander are Bringing on Back the Good Times again here, so it's time to put on those tie-dyed cheesecloth shirts, bright flared trousers and gold platform boots and celebrate the golden era of the early 1970's, when everything was fab and groovy. This uplifting song is positively awash with golden scintillating strings, bathing the listener in a warm radiance of brilliant Sunshine Pop. The music's so bright, you gotta wear shades, and break open a bottle of suntan lotion at the same time. Onto the Eighth Commandment/Song now with "(Thou Shalt Not) Steal", a sonorous non-stop artillery barrage of heavy Heavy Prog, with the dynamic fired-up organ player attacking his keyboards with all of the passionate fury and gusto of a whirling dervish in a sandstorm. No one's going to Steal his thunder here! And so dear friends, we come to Commandment/Song No. 9: "False Witness", a lively and energetic Jazz-Rock number with a bold and brassy attitude - very much in the style of Ginger Baker's Air Force - with the powerful singer imbuing the music with all of the emotional intensity his vocal chords can muster. He was probably in need of a throat lozenge, a stiff drink and a good lie down after that impressive performance. The Tenth Commandment decrees that thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's "Possessions", but you can certainly "covet" this sensational storming Rocker, which rounds off the album in furiously fine style.

Salamander have seared a blazing trail of God Almighty Symphonic Prog with the magnificent majesty of their marvellous ultra-rare one-off masterpiece. The Eleventh Commandment of Prog, ordained by the Prog Gods on high, should be that every self-respecting prog fan owns a copy of Salamander's "Ten Commandments". This superb album is as welcome an addition to your prog collection as being given the welcome news that you're to be employed as a stage hand by Fleetwood Mac for one night only, where your job will be to adjust Stevie Nicks' knicker gusset when she's on stage. If, on the other hand, you're lucky enough to already own a rare vinyl copy of this fine album, then that's as lucky as walking into an antiques shop to buy some trinkets and curios, and discovering the Ark of the Covenant for sale at a bargain price. Well, maybe not quite THAT lucky.

The Ten Commandments of Prog:-

1. The Prog Gods are the Lords of Prog and Thou shalt have no other Prog Gods before thee

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image of a classic Prog-Rock album cover

3. Thou shalt not take the names of the Lords of Prog in vain

4. Remember the Black Sabbath day, for the seventh day is for the Holy worship of Prog-Rock

5. Honour thy father and thy mother's Prog-Rock collection

6. Thou shalt not murder a classic Prog-Rock anthem

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery with a fellow Prog-Rock fan's husband or wife

8. Thou shalt not steal a Prog-Rock album

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against a fellow Prog-Rock fan

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's Prog-Rock collection

I'm a Wanderer at heart and the book inspired me to travel on a Secret Mission to the Distant Horizons of Istanbul On the Frontier of Asia aboard the Orient Express. It sometimes feels like time is Running Away from You and I was Running Hard like a Bullet  out of a gun in The Race to arrive on time At the Harbour. I arrived just in time to set sail across the English Channel on the Ocean Gypsy ferry and leave behind the Island of Great Britain. I love the Sounds of the Sea and it was a beautiful day In the Sunshine, underneath the Carpet of the Sun which glimmered like sparkling Porcelain.

Upon arrival in France, I felt like I was Bound for Infinity, with the most dramatic adventure In My Life just about to unfold. Can You Understand how good it felt to realise a dream when I'd Let It Grow in my heart for so long? I still had a long way to go though but at least I was Closer Than Yesterday to realising my dream. The Face of Yesterday was behind me now because this was the Day of the Dreamer! I dreamed of  travelling to exotic places like the Island of Kalynda, A Magical Isle with a Waterfall which sparkles Blood Silver Like Moonlight and where The Vultures Fly High in their Flight over distant shores. That was about as likely as seeing Faeries Living at the Bottom of the Garden though and my dreams vanished as quickly as the flames on a funeral pyre when only the Ashes Are Burning.

My real ambition was to eventually travel north from Istanbul to Kiev to experience exotic Things I Don't Understand, including those mysterious Ukraine Ways. I'd have to be careful to avoid Touching Once on the delicate subject of the current war with Russia though. I was planning  to head to the  northwest of Mother Russia where I'd heard the extreme Cold is Being like the inside of a freezer. I'd love to see the Northern Lights for the first time with their Majik shimmering Symphony of Light. It'd be like one of those awesome moments when you could sing A Song for All Seasons and Cry to the World with joy and shout "Can You Hear Me now"?

I had a long journey ahead but I was looking forward to being  Back Home Once Again with my Friends, when I'd be sure to remind them that I Think of You when I'm away. 

Annie's Complete Renaissance, including:- Illusion; Annie Haslam solo; Jane Relf's Renaissance; Michael Dunford's Renaissance; & Annie Haslam's Nevada, in roughly chronological order. 

  1969: Renaissance - Renaissance - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nVNgH8bM6nt9-sohxxFOqvP4FMOzZvAbQ

  1971: Renaissance - Illusion - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mBsgKAeM7YKTisSIh0sp09HnVoDaGWt78

  1972: Renaissance - Prologue - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nsKGwkJQV8nk_f5Xi353Il9e1A-tspJHg

  1973: Renaissance - Ashes Are Burning - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kLlzvwRGj185pGq9yYhveAzan1m0qWHbQ

  1974: Renaissance - Turn of the Cards - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJfwklRIOOp26u-IL_X0dD9tYslMZvEIR

  1975: Renaissance - Scheherazade and Other Stories - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIwTNEhpVOv1gteY4V1ebEqSGu_9MfeVw

  1976: Renaissance - Live at Carnegie Hall - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lBZgxdlejr_LlB6XiCdeCOmx4vZarpprU

  1977: Renaissance - Novella - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDmNtmO30E4Hv0Z87Q_zad5EyglMAMrLs

  1977: Renaissance - Live at the BBC Sight & Sound - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B578LuXbPI

  1978: Renaissance - A Song for All Seasons - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mgE2kx7W8VBgkLIsb3ReXdobZc5oB7xnI

  1979: Renaissance - Azure d'Or - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nEYEFeCF0FKzAov9wq3XwAV7sUfChdGbo

  1981: Renaissance - Camera Camera - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kznu9_bJxu-CgNje8WzygHis-4gJD4vXw

  1983: Renaissance - Time-Line - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLTHh_FHzIgEaxosCjbO4kIgjm9HK6t_Y

  2001: Renaissance - Tuscany - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mK75ngTrOs9Z9b5WU9Hx3sSk_ygB1QpQI

  2002: Renaissance - In the Land of the Rising Sun - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lhdgy8UIrWsqVCcCTrZhDXSh2KY1U_rCo

  2008: Renaissance - Dreams and Omens - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n5dGctoC_Ekcrg661Guh-HdO3wsZ_sOJM

  2014: Renaissance - Symphony of Light - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_luDpArUd5yXPax6W3TZWxWy2BDOL-faJM

  2015: Renaissance - Live at the Union Chapel - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m2K5nJxcB-sbSXbSgMYwxC1WipO3dw8SA

  2018: Renaissance - A Symphonic Journey - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lYS_FELCMlbArvpuKD0v1tX9tBq9RjHhQ

  1969: Rare Bird - Rare Bird - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvK5vQsU60ak-yGesZp3Yen

  1970: Rare Bird - As Your Mind Flies By - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvI-Pen5pmOJ0zVlbAQXt_X

  1972: Rare Bird - Epic Forest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtkaynDl__Z0-c4rj3Hl-oo

  1973: Rare Bird - Somebody's Watching - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuUYnP2zpkCAIr8GjekptN4

  1974: Rare Bird - Born Again - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvY1UlcF6vFgut4qxljDu8f

The album opens powerfully and dramatically with "Iceberg", an imposing cliff of pristine white ice as tall as a building with the awesome latent power to sink ships. This imposing organ-powered piece of music has similar grandeur and magnificent majesty. The song begins as a delicate and atmospheric slow fugue, sounding like a church organ, before erupting into a wild keyboard jamboree in which the organist goes absolutely berserk in a roaring storm of sound. The golden-voiced singer emerges from the organ storm in full impassioned voice in this dramatic refrain. It's powerful and heavy, but also beautifully melodic at the same time. This is the kind of thunderous and unrestrained organ music they ought to play in a grand cathedral as the bishop glides diagonally down the aisle across the chequered floor. How can Rare Bird possibly follow that storming opening foray onto the music scene. They follow it with "Times", a fast-based barnstorming number with all the unstoppable power of Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf leading his army into battle. This powerful raw and raucous song features fantastic fugues and pounding percussion, so don't play it TOO loud or it might just give you a pounding headache. Onwards now to "You Went Away", a refined and sweet-sounding organ piece with the vocalist imploringly pouring his heart out over his lost love:- "You went away, And left me one that day, When we were much too close, Dreaming of a private piece, You went away." ..... This is no gentle ballad though, because the crazy organist and manic drummer are just waiting in the wings, so be prepared for a sonic onslaught in their wild moment of glory for the powerful grand finale. There's no let-up in the incredible pace and power of this album with "Melanie", a flamboyant and foot-stompingly good slice of funky fusion to close out Side One.

Opening Side Two comes "Beautiful Scarlet", an elevating and exuberant blitzkrieg of music which explodes into life with a dramatic chord sequence. This is energetic keyboard playing to die for, the like of which we don't hear any more. This is exhilarating and exuberant music designed to lift the spirits up into the stratosphere. The pianist and organist battle it out in unison to see who's the greatest keyboard player of them all. It's pompous and passionate and everything we could wish for in a powerful burst of Progressive Rock. And now for Rare Bird's BIG number, "Sympathy", their main claim to fame which was a massive hit across Europe but only made it to No. 27 in the British charts, so it looks like the good people of continental Europe knows a good song when they hear it. "Nature's Fruit" is another rollicking and rambunctious keyboard-driven song on an album full of outstanding songs where every song sounds like it's good enough to be released as a single. We're taking flight now with "Bird on a Wing", an emotionally-rich song featuring soaring vocals and the sound of that oh-so-beautiful organ in accompaniment. The dazzling guitarist deserves a mention too with his stirring power chords carrying the music along on a sonorous wave of sound. Just when you thought this album couldn't get any better comes "God of War" to close out the album in dramatically fine style. The music rumbles along like a powerful express train steaming down the tracks with the powerful voice of the singer sounding like he's ominously prophesising doom and gloom and catastrophe. It's a suitably dynamic and dramatic conclusion to a superb album.

You can't beat a good solid dose of boom and bombast in a Prog-Rock album and this passionate and powerful album has it in spades. This is spectacular organ-driven British Rock, going full speed ahead on full locomotive power from beginning to end. it's also melodic and occasionally melancholic, but it's ALWAYS great music. This first Rare Bird album deserves to be treasured and preserved like a magnificent golden eagle.