PAINTINGS (AS MICHAEL QUATRO JAM BAND)

Born in 1943, US composer, promoter, producer and songwriter Michael Quatro received Classical education on piano already at the age of seven and during the 60's he established a succesful promoting/management agency, developing talents such as Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, his sister Susie Quatro or Iggy Pop, highlighted by a great number of music festivals.In the 70's Quatro focused on his personal compositions and came up with a solo debut entitled ''Paintings'' in 1972 on Evolution Records as Mike Quatro Jam Band.He was responsible for the analog keyboard parts and collaborated with Ted Nugent on guitars, Terry Mullen on drums as well as vocalists John Finley, Pat and Nancy Quatro.

The album contains some excellent Symphonic Rock pieces next to some dull moments and it is quite uneven, however its value is to be desired.The first two compositions ''Paintings'' and ''Time Spent In Dreams'' are fantastic examples of Romantic-period Classical/Symphonic Rock with strong NOVALIS, OCEAN and ELP vibes, offering majestic Mellotron waves, superb piano interludes and melodic moog synth parts of the highest caliber.The short ''Circus (What I Am)'' features the Quatro's vocals but this one totally uninspired catchy American/Boogie/Blues Rock mixed with Soul, pretty awful regarding Michael's talent.Side A closes with the piano ballad ''Each Day I Want You More'', which is pretty nice and emotional with a good performance on piano.''Life'' opens the flipside, the keyboard/piano work of Quatro is still pretty good, but the style of Funky Rock chosen is just unsuccesful.''Rachmaninoff's Prelude'' is a long instrumental piece in the style of the opening tracks.Superb Mellotron, spacey moog synths and grandiose piano themes of the best symphonic quality, this man can really mix up Rock with Classical Music in an awesome way.''Detroit City Blues'' says it all.Uninspired piano-based grooves with a bluesy touch and horendous vocal arrangements, just skip this one.The closing re-edition of KING CRIMSON's ''The Court Of The Crimson King'' is absolutely personal and satisfying.Featuring Quatro's own voice and respecting the grandiose sound of Mellotron, the track is added the lovely moog synths and piano of the composer to make it less darker and more sensitive as a composition.

One of the best Symphonic Rock albums I have ever listened to.The couple of dull tracks in this release prevent this from being a masterpiece, but the symphonic arrangements of Quatro are of first class and easily compared to the best of KEITH EMERSON or RICK WAKEMAN.Absolutely recommended.