STAINED GLASS STORIES

One of the finest examples of late-70's US Prog by a band,who got lost for over thirty years before returning in the 00's with a new album.CATHEDRAL's roots can be found on the psych rock outfit Odyssey,with whom bassist Fred Callan and keyboardist Tom Doncourt recorded two albums.The band split up in mid-70's,just when they were moving onto a more progressive sound,but Callan and Doncourt continued with CATHEDRAL,what they left unfinished with Odyssey.''Stained glass stories'' was published in 1978 and got a CD re-issue in 1989 on Syn-Phonic.

STYLE: The album falls fairly in the Symphonic Prog genre but I wouldn't recommend it to initiators of progressive rock.''Stained glass stories'' ranks among the most adventuruous and complex albums of late-70's classic prog with ever-changing moods and sudden breaks all the way and a battle among strong complicated moments and quieter acoustic passages loaded with keyboards.One reason for its complexity is Callan's bass work,which is trully unbelievable.Vocals,delivered by Paul Seal,are quite decent having an expressive theatrical approach.A very good guitarist ,named Rudy Perrone ,is responsible for the melodic touches of the music.Organ and especially mellotron sound pretty good and 45 minutes of music split in 5 tracks can only guarantee a unique sounding rock experience.

INFLUENCES/SOUNDS LIKE: Often a copy of YES,CATHEDRAL are after the traces of their heroes in their complicated phase.Compatriots ETHOS and YEZDA URFA are good reference points as well.

PLUS: It's not often that I speak for a bassist but this time Fred Callan is the man to notice in this album.One of the greatest bassist I have ever heard,who torments its Rickenbacker bass.Those after complex Symphonic Prog will find a certain long-time stop here,as ''Stained glass stories'' is one of the finest LP's of the style.Acoustic passages are also top notch,a great combination of acoustic guitar covered with symphonic keys and great bass.Speaking of keys,mellotron is used as often as it should be,creating a grandiose and haunting atmosphere.

MINUS: Not that original music with 1972-1974 period YES coming in mind every now and then,with Perrone sounding a lot like STEVE HOWE.Complexity is a good thing but the guys overdo it at moments with endless breaks and the whole thing doesn't work always succesful (at least to my ears).Vocal work is good,but it's not always succesfully connected with the music.

WILL APPEAL TO: Already written: complex Classic/Symph Prog fans and especially YES followers...but this album is a good example why progressive rock is not simply yet another rock path.

CONCLUSION/RATING: I really enjoyed this album,though it is hard to follow it at some points.I have listened to it over 20 times,yet I always discover something I skipped before. The final feeling is somewhat mixed: Difficult music,excellent musicians,nice atmosphere but with often a questionable result.3.5 stars is my final taste translated into numbers.