WATERS OF CHANGE

-Beggars Operais one of the most underrated progressive rock bands from early '70 from UK, more specific from Scotland. They begun their carrer in 1969 , thaken their name from a novel of John Gray from 1728. Even they share same period with the giants like Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, Yes, Pink Floyd or King Crimson, Beggars Opera never made it in first league, strange because at least first 3 albums are a worthy aquisition to anyones collection. Water of change is their second album from 1971, release at famous Vertigo label , after the moderate succes Act one previous year. The sound on this second offer is more elaborated, more confident, established and instristing in same time then on first album. The music is somthing between Barclay James Harves, the eclectic moments with a touch of symphonic arrangements not far from Genesis, Yes, with catchy mellotron elements and great guitar chops all over. The keyboards arrangements, here included mellotron, piano and organ are made in a great diversivity, some duels between female Virginia Scott with excellent musician Alan Park. Above all I like a lot the voice of Martin Griffith, very powerful range and a catchy as hell tone of voice, even for some reviewers the voice is the weakest part of the album, for me is quite contrary, excellent job. All the pieces are winners here, not a weak moment, I'de liked to hear more vein in some parts and more bursting moments to give a certain esthablished atmosphere from their music, but anyway good album for sure. The pieces are well developed with great passages , like on the title traks , a classic of early prog music, but my fav track is The Fox, with stunning bass lines and solid rythmic arrangements all over and with some very intrsting key passages who interluded like glove with the guitar. With such great second album, Beggars Opera was a truly a band to follow in the future with good potential, but with all that positive reviews from fans and critics , the band after 3 great albums, took a wrong path in progressive rock and almost fall into oblivion in mid to late '70's, and for good reason, the music was weak and almost lost everything magic like on this album and third one from 1972. Maybe that 's why they never made it in first league of progressive rock movement like the masters. I will give easy for Waters of change 4 stars, a great album, quite unnoticed in comparation with other albums from that period and for sure has great moments to offer. Great additon to anyones collection and one of the good aquisition if you like to discover a little less known acts from progressive rock treasure chest.