M144

I'm always surprised when a band's debut album is a double, surprised first of all because the record company usually would frown upon it, and second would a new band have enough good material to fill the 90 minutes. In BURNIN RED IVANHOE's case they had been playing together for 2 years before they recorded this album, so it's not surprising that these talented Danes had lots of material.This was released in 1969 and is an interesting blend of Jazz / Blues and Rock. Lots of horns, organ, guitar, bass and drums, but also some violin, flute and vibes. I wish there was more guitar and organ though.

"Ivanhoe I Brondbyerne" is a good opener with the forceful vocals and drums while the organ plays along. I really like the organ in this one and the mellower sections. Flute before 2 minutes. "Ridder Red" opens and closes with horns but the rest is fairly laid back and catchy with outbursts of guitar. The vocals are almost spoken. The drums come to the fore after 2 1/2 minutes. "Saxophonepiece 1" is uptempo with sax playing over top. "Marsfesten" has these soft vocals with a mellow soundscape which are contrasted with the fuller more passionate passages. "Antique Pepperment" has this catchy beat with horns. Guitar after 2 minutes. Vocal melodies a minute later. "Indre Landskab" also has a catchy beat with what sounds like harmonica.Vocals join in. "Jiizlou" opens with horns and drums. Guitar 1 1/2 minutes in. "Kaj" and the next three tracks are the best stretch of music for me. Raw guitar opens this one before drums, bass, organ and vocals join in. I like the sound here a lot. Horns 1 1/2 minutes in. "Tingel-Tangelmanden" is slower paced with the focus on the vocals early. I like the guitar that goes on and on as the drums pound from 1 1/2 minutes to 4 1/2 minutes.

"Laeg Dig Kun Ned" has a good rhythm and they have two vocalists singing different lyrics at the same time. It works ! "Saxophonepiece 2" has a Rio flavour with the dissonant horns. "Medarjus" opens with solemn horns. A change after a minute as drums take over. Bass joins in,guitar and horns follow. Vocals after 2 minutes. It ends as it began. "Purple Hearts" reminds me of Syd Barrett. A fun song with lots of organ. A nice prolonged instrumental section to end it as well. "Larsen" is laid back with reserved vocals and floating organ. "Oylzi" is taken over by the drumming fairly quickly. Violin comes in then horns. A drums solo after 3 minutes. "Ivanhoe In The Woods" opens sounding like "Satisfaction" by the STONES. Lots of horns. "Ida Verlaine" is mournful to open. It kicks in with guitar before 1 1/2 minutes. "Sensitive Plant" opens with organ and drums as vocals join in. It's ok. "Inside" is experimental with sounds coming and going. "Ksilioy" is the 10 1/2 minute closer. It's uptempo with vocals right away. A good rhythm as vocals come and go. They jam for a long period of time. I like it.

Very much a mixed bag as most double albums tend to be for me. So much to like here though. I'm looking forward to hearing the more Jazzy followup. 3.5 stars.