RARE BIRD [AKA: SYMPATHY]

RARE BIRD were a fantastic early British prog rock band who uniquely sported dual keyboardists (David Kaffinetti on electric piano and Graham Field on organ). Their music was powerful and creative and apparently also somewhat catchy as this album circa 1969 actually posted to the European billboard charts thanks to the hit "SYMPATHY". MARILLION fans will note that this track was re-done by them in their "Holiday In Eden" days. The surprisingly thing here is that there is no guitarist on the album with bass and lead vocals being handled by Steve Gould and drumming by Mark Ashton. The album has some fantastic numbers like "Beautiful Scarlet", "Iceberg", and the haunting "God of War". Their self titled debut album is clearly an impressive display of keyboard dominated jazz-like playing and in many ways actually reminds me of the work of CARAVAN with the darkness of ELP. Steve Gould's vocals may take a bit to get used to but I love his almost raw sound and think it fits the music stylistically.