SHIP OF MEMORIES

Focus

Symphonic Prog

3.18 | 206 ratings

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Evolver
Special Collaborator
Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

Luckily, I didn't pay to much for this album. I have the Sire LP version, and I picked it up at a used record store. It appears to be in pristine condition, but the sound throughout it is muddy.

The album opens with P's March a mix of fusion and medieval sounds. Can't Believe My Eyes is primarilay a vehicle for a bluesy Jan Akkerman solo. The grungy guitar then gives way to Focus V, a slow, light fusion song by Thijs van Leer. Side 1 closes with Out Of Vesuvius, another bluesy jam, that doesn't quite erupt.

Glider, a funky guitar piece with a little fusion, opens the second side. It has a heft helping of cheese, but Akkerman's guitar saves it. Red Sky At Night a slow piano driven ballad, is also assisted by Akkeman's adept guitar. Spoke The Lord Creator, the worst titled song on the album, doesn't seem to know if it wants to be a keyboard prog song, or country rock. This version of Crackers which fared better on an Akkerman solo album I've heard, has some nice fusion sections, but the arrangement wanders much too close to disco. And the title track, Pierre van der Linden' Ship Of Memories starts out like it may be a grand voyage, but just sinks.

There is very little prog on this album, compared to the better known focus albums. But with Akkerman and van Leer together, it's not completely uninteresting.

2.5 stars, rounded down (sorry).

Evolver | 2/5 | 2011-3-21

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