DAUGHTER OF TIME

What should I do when I'm waiting for my daughter, Dian, going back from school activity? Oh I'd better go to the coffee shop, open my laptop and write a review on Colosseum's "Daughter of Time" album. Well, it seems the album title fits with the situation I'm currently having: waiting (something to do with "time") for my "daughter" finishing the school activity. Hope I can finish this review just before a call from her. Hm. So sorry, it's just an introduction - nothing to do with the music of Colosseum at all. It's just an indication how prog rules my life. Yeah - I live, I breathe, I work with prog music .

This album was actually not recommended by my colleague proggers because according to them, this one is not as powerful as Valentyne Suite or Live albums. But for the sake of having a complete set of Colosseum album, I bought it anyway. To my surprise, the music of this album is truly meeting my taste and I can see that the musical quality of this album is at par excellent as the band's Valentyne Suite. In general, the music is so classic where I can hear may styles of seventies sounds blending the classic rock style, jazz, as well as blues. It's really a gem for me. So many organ sounds that remind me to old days sound like those played by Brian Auger, Ekseption, etc.

Track 1 "Three Score And Ten, Amen" (5:36) has an intro that gives an impression of somewhat KING CRIMSON's music of "In The Court of Crimson King" album especially on the nuance created by mellotron-like sound. But it's not truly King Crimson as when the vocal enters the scene it gives an impression of the like of CHASE, CHICAGO Transit Authority or Blood Sweat & Tears. Of course they don't sound exactly the same but the style is similar. The tight bass lines by Mark Clarke seems like bringing the beat of the song combined with excellent brass section and powerful vocal line by Chris Farlowe, which sometimes sings in high register notes. The style and tempo changes have formed the music in cohesive way.

"Time Lament" (6:04) starts off with a string orchestra in relatively complex arrangements with excellent combination of brass section wonderfully played by Dick-Heckstall Smith and Barbara Thompson. Well, who doesn't know Barbara Thompson and Dick-Heckstall Smith? They are both excellent brass instruments players. When vocal enters the song, it seems very obvious how the music has shifted into a blues-based music with powerful vocal line. The rest of the track shows great combination of brass section and dynamic drum-work by Jon Hiseman. Excellent track!

Track 3 "Take Me Back To Doomsday" (4:26) starts with piano exploration by Dave Greenslade in a jazzy mode. The electric guitar played by Clem Clempson brings the music in faster tempo followed with duo vocals. "Take me back . take me back .". The album title "The Daughter Of Time" (3:30) starts somewhat complex with circus-like music followed with distorted guitar solo and brass section that slashes afterwards. The vocal enters in classic style backed with rhythm section which comprises combination of powerful brass section and organ. I do enjoy the combined work of guitar solo and brass section. It's really excellent.

"Theme For An Imaginary Western" (4:05) opens with vocal line in relatively high register note augmented with acoustic guitar and organ sound that reminds me to the music of Procol Harum. Oh yeah, this tune sounds like PROCOL HARUM's. It's cool, especially when I hear the organ sound and electric guitar fills. Oh my God . I like this track very much.

"Bring Out Your Dead" (4:25) opens with keyboard / organ sounds that remind me to the music of The NICE. The organ work is really stunning, combined with dynamic drumming by Jon Hiseman and electric guitar. Vibes take its part during transition pieces. It's an excellent instrumental track. "Downhill And Shadows" (6:11) enters with sax solo in relatively long duration (1 minute) followed with drum, bass and guitar that form a truly great blues music. The vocal line enters with a lyric of "From now on ." oh . this is really great!!!! Yeah man, it's one of my favorites blues music especially with the use of brass section to accentuate the music and stunning guitar fills and solo. Oh I'd better sip my coffee now commemorating the wonderful blues beats this track offers. It's really awesome!!! And . the guitar solo is fantastic. Clem Clempson rules!!! The vocal is also powerful.

"The Time Machine" (8:12) is a live track that concludes the album. As usual, it's performed with high energy and it's very dynamic. Look at how the drum set is played wonderfully by Jon Hiseman. Well, I'm sure Jon is one of the best rock drummers that I have ever known. He has a lot of variations in how he combines the snare, bass drum as well as tom tam. It's really great and very enjoyable.

Folks, what can I say about this legendary album after I have been listening to it many times and written long review? Of course, it's a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED prog album that you must have. Don't miss it. As for the sonic quality, this is the seventies record so don't expect something really good coming out of this record. But with this kind of sound I really have an emotional bound with the album because it casts the memorable time of the glory days of rock music during my childhood. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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