SONG OF THE MARCHING CHILDREN

EARTH & FIRE were one of the leading prog rock bands to come out of Holland, while at the same time, being able to rack up a bunch of hits in their homeland. "Song of the Marching Children", their second album, released in 1971, is by far their best one, as far as I'm concerned. The band was by far best known for female vocalist Jerney Kaagman, which her voice is put to good use on songs like "Carnival of the Animals", "Ebbtide", "Storm and Thunder", and the side-length title track. The album is also loaded with lots of great Mellotron work. Hard to describe their music, but I've heard it described as JEFFERSON AIRPLANE meets KING CRIMSON.

Anyways, the original Dutch LP on Polydor features a gatefold with some truly trippy artwork inside (although later pressings did not come with a gatefold).

This is truly one of my favorites to come out of Holland. (4 1/2 stars)