THE GOING'S EASY

The 2nd LP from one the best acts of the early 70's. Same 'big band' line up as the 1st LP (please check reviews out for that one). This album offers a heavier and more progressive side. Tracks are lengthy, more solos and time changes are evident. Lots of percussion used as well to give the band a sound not unlike early CHICAGO or SANTANA. Had many debates with people who have heard the band, about which LP of the two is better. Many think that this a step down, but I like both of them equally. Such a shame they didn't make more.

Like the 1st LP, an album you should not be without.

3.5 stars really!!!

The second album of TGSOE, released fairly shortly after their debut, is a bit different than the brass-heavy debut. The group is now only a sextet as the Repertoire reissue of the album mentions indicates as only Hanson is mentioned from the brass band, but we get some sax from one other blower. The train-artwork is much tamer, which is wise regarding the band's name and the album still out on Harvest and reissued by Repertoire in the early 90's, but I find the sound a bit poor>> remastering needed.

The album is definitely more appealing to hard prog rockers, especially after an intriguing distorted intro of the 9-min opener Borderline promises and they convince in the UK proto-prog realm. The other lengthy track Love Magnet is definitely in the JR/F territory with some almost-perfect lines and might sound at times as Van Morrison's Young Lovers and at other excellent Chicago

But the group was still trying to pump some potential hits like Magic Woman Touch (with some very unwise/ill-advised sound effects), or the energetic Story Times, the rocking- rolling Leader and the album closer piano-dominated sing-along (no doubt it was designed as such in concerts) Tell The Story, which was on the accompanying single's B- side. As a bonus track comes the single A-side non-album track Mountain Song, which doesn't really add much.

The band would tour until the half of next year before disbanding, domestic lack of success being the main reason. Indeed in the mid-70's, their record company gave the band another try at success by reissuing both albums together, mostly on the band's strengths and The Hollies' successful cover of Magic Woman Touch. But as far as this writer is concerned, TGSOE was not destined to become a long running group, but this second album seems a better effort than their debut as it is much more even and progressive. But none are essential to a proghead, and unless you have a knack for brass-rock, they will stay that way.

After their debut album "Horizons" I did not think much could better that release and for some reason I think they just may have done this with "The Going's Easy". Another superbly fashioned album full of excellent and complex progressive elements. This albums best track is "Magic Woman Touch" and for those who are also Hollies fans will recognize this from their "Romany" album (If anyone out there honestly owns both alnums please contact me ! ). This album is simply killer from the opening number to the last track. The Greatest Show On Earth's two albums are both stunning and need to be in your growing Prog rock collection. Essentially this album is a a full bodied cup of java that never really sleeps!