HAMBURGER CONCERTO

This is often considered to be the Dutch rock group's finest album. The strong classical influences in the music mainly came from organist/flautist Thijs van Leer and most listeners are sure to agree that it's absolutely brilliant.

The intro "Delicate Musicae" is a soft, short and sweet renaissance track. This quickly gives way to the most quirky, energetic, stomping "Harem Scarem" which kicks in with some churning guitar and piano. Van Leer's vocals add lots of charm and character to the music. There is some really nice flute work and accordian here too.

"La Cathedral de Strasbourg" is an absolutely magnificent piece, with a beautiful church organ backing the piano. The bells and whistling contribute to the gentle atmospheric feel. "Birth" is an equally wonderful, entirely instrumental track with a great flute riff that reminds many people of something by Jethro Tull. There are switching solos by the band members which flow nicely.

The epic "Hamburger Concerto" is a grand, well-paced, floating piece, led by lots of organ and keyboards. Although it is twenty minutes long, it never rambles. Van Leer adds some interesting falsetto singing and yodeling into some parts. The guitar work is also excellent here. I recently realised that each movement was named after the different stages of making a hambuger, which is quite funny. I love it, even though I'm a vegetarian!

Overall, the mood is very relaxing. It's a perfect album to listen to from start to finish while at home with no disturbances. 5 stars for sure.