Archive for July, 2010

(Review from amazon)

“Actual Fantasy Revisited” is the (mostly) re-recorded version of Ayreon’s 1996 release Actual Fantasy. Released after the highly successful rock opera debut, The Final Experiment, mastermind Arjen Lucassen decided to surprise his fans with a more electronic-based album consisting of fewer singers and a loosely connected lyrical theme. To give the album a more electronic feel and digital atmosphere, Lucassen used a drum machine. Lucassen always wondered how it would sound if he used a real drummer and another bass player. Which he realized eight years after the original release. Enter drummer Ed Warby and bassist Peter Vink. Most of the guitars were re-recorded, some from scratch, the synth solos were changed, and even the programmed flute was replaced by the real instrument.

If you’ve heard the original version, be prepared to be blown away by the excellently crisp production. Each instrument is audible and perfectly mixed. The re-recorded guitars and synths are a lot better and more interesting. The result is definitely a more powerful, more fresh, more crisp, and more alive.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / guitars, keyboards, additional noises
- Peter Vink / bass guitar
- Ed Warby / drums
- Ewa Alberink / flute
- Robert Soeterboek / vocals
- Edward Reekers / vocals
- Okkie Huysdens / vocals
- Cleem Determeyer / synthesizers solos
- Rene Merkelbach / Hammond, synthesizers solos

Track List:
01. Actual Fantasy – 1:45
02. Abbey Of Synn – 9:20
03. The Stranger From Within – 7:34
04. Computer Eyes – 7:17
05. Beyond The Last Horizon – 7:16
06. Farside Of The World – 6:31
07. Back On Planet Earth – 7:05
08. Forevermore – 7:35
09. The Dawn Of Man – 7:39

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Edward Reekers

Ayreon – Human Equation (2004) (@256)

25 Jul 2010

(Review from seaoftranquility.org, metal-archives.com, progarchives.com)

With his new Ayreon album, Arjen Lucassen seems to be moving deeper and deeper into the rock opera world. Looking at the lyric sheet here it looks like something written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The guest list on each album is getting longer with the singers on this album being assigned roles to play.

The Human Equation follows the story of a man who falls in a coma after plowing his car into a tree. While in a coma, he unlocks some hidden region of his mind where he confronts his emotions and and memories. Meanwhile, his best friend and wife sit at his hospital bed waiting for a sign of life.

Like most rock operas, the songs work best as a unified whole, but songs like “Day Eleven: Love” and “Day Sixteen: Loser” certainly do stand out for the great vocals and melodies. There is one thing that cannot be overlooked and that is the impressive roster of singers and instrumentalists Lucassen has assembled for his latest project: Martin Orford from IQ and Ken Hensley from Uriah Heep make small but invaluable contributions. Hensley’s short but raging Hammond organ solo on “Day Sixteen: Loser” certainly takes us back to Hensley’s work with Uriah Heep.

As for the singers, James LaBrie from Dream Theater plays the part of the man in the coma, simply known as Me. If you are used to Labrie’s work with Dream Theater, be prepared to be surprised here. For the most part, his singing is mellow and happily he proves that he has more depth as a singer than he is generally given credit for. Heather Findlay from Mostly Autumn is cast as Love and her singing is as impressive and moving here as it is with her own band. Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth is given ample opportunity to shine as well; the man has a great voice. Relative newcomer Marcela Bovia also deserves a mention as the wife; judging from her performance with Ayreon, she has a bright future ahead of her.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, analogue synthesizers, Hammond, Mellotron, additional keyboards, mandoline, vocals as ‘Best Friend’
- Devon Graves / vocals as ‘Agony’
- Devin Townsend / vocals as ‘Rage’
- Eric Clayton / vocals as ‘Reason’
- Mikael Akerfeldt / vocals as ‘Fear’
- Magnus Ekwall / vocals as ‘Pride’
- Heather Findlay / vocals as ‘Love’
- Irene Jansen / vocals as ‘Passion’
- James LaBrie / vocals as ‘Me’
- Marcela Bovio / vocals as ‘Wife’
- Mike Baker / vocals as ‘Father’
- Ken Hensley / Hammond (16)
- Oliver Wakeman / keyboards (17)
- Martin Orford / keyboards (15)
- Ed Warby / drums
- Joost van den Broek / synthesizer (2), spinet (13)
- John McManus / Low-flute (13,16,18), tin-whistle (18)
- Jeroen Goossens / flute (3,5,9,14,18), alto-flute (2), bass flute (5,14), panpipes (6), descant and treble recorder (13), didgeridoo (16), bassoon (18)
- Robert Baba / violins
- Marieke van der Heyden / cello

Track List:
CD1
01. Day One: Vigil – 1:33
02. Day Two: Isolation – 8:42
03. Day Three: Pain – 4:58
04. Day Four: Mystery – 5:37
05. Day Five: Voices – 7:09
06. Day Six: Childhood – 5:05
07. Day Seven: Hope – 2:47
08. Day Eight: School – 4:22
09. Day Nine: Playground – 2:15
10. Day Ten: Memories – 3:57
11. Day Eleven: Love – 4:18
CD2
12. Day Twelve: Trauma – 8:59
13. Day Thirteen: Sign – 4:47
14. Day Fourteen: Pride – 4:42
15. Day Fifteen: Betrayal – 5:24
16. Day Sixteen: Loser – 4:46
17. Day Seventeen: Accident? – 5:42
18. Day Eighteen: Realization – 4:31
19. Day Nineteen: Disclosure – 4:42
20. Day Twenty: Confrontation – 7:03

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, James LaBrie, Jeroen Goossens, Ken Hensley, Marcela Bovio, Martin Orford, Sakalli's Pick

Star One – Live On Earth (2003) (@256)

24 Jul 2010

(Review from metal-archives.com, progarchives.com)

After the release of “Space Metal”, most of the cast of “Star One” went on the Intergalactic Space Crusader Tour 2002. ”Live On Earth” was recorded during the tour’s last gig in Rijssen, The Netherlands. The recording and sonics are superbly rendered and brilliantly representative of the studio recording.

“Live On Earth” draws it’s set list from both Star One and Ayreon albums. All of Ayreon albums are at least represented with one song. Star One being the reason for the tour is also quite well represented.

Anyone who is familiar with Ayreon’s material can well imagine the complexity entailed in bringing most of the material live in a form that would do justice to the studio version. First being the presence of multiple vocalists. Luckily 2 out of 3 male vocalist present in the Star One studio album are present, Russell Allen and Damian Wilson. Robert Soeterbek fills and sings Dan Swano vocal parts on the Star One material. There is no let down due to the change, Soeterbek sings with energy and passion.

The star of the show is without a doubt the vocal performance of Russell Allen. He seems that have grown in leaps and bounds since his last recorded live outing on Symphony X’s Live on the Edge of Forever (which itself was excellent). On Star One he displays more power and a smoother delivery than he did on Live on the Edge of Forever. Indicating perhaps a better mastery of live vocal techniques.

Speaking of vocalists we are introduced to Irene Jansen sister of After Forever’s Floor Jansen. Both sisters perform as back up singers throughout the set and do a fantastic job adding harmonious layers to the songs. As a coming party Irene delivers a knock out solo performance on the haunting Valley of the Queens.

The backing band is extremely solid and delivers a precise performance, that’s quite the compliment considering the complexity of some of the Ayreon material.

Highlights include “Dreamtime” and “Valley Of The Queens”, the lively “Set Your Controls”, the synth-heavy “Into the Black Hole” and the grandiose “Eye Of Ra” to name just a few.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / guitars
- Joost van den Broek / keyboards
- Peter Vink / bass
- Ed Warby / drums
- Russell Allen / vocals
- Damian Wilson / vocals
- Floor Jansen / vocals
- Irene Jansen / vocals
- Robert Soeterboek / vocals
with
- Edward Reekers / vocals
- Ewa Albering / flute

Track List:
CD1
01. Lift Off – 1:34
02. Set Your Controls – 6:19
03. High Moon – 5:28
04. Dreamtime – 2:58
05. Eyes Of Time – 3:49
06. Songs Of The Ocean – 5:59
07. Dawn Of A Million Souls – 5:17
08. The Dream Sequencer – 6:03
09. Into The Black Hole – 11:27
10. Actual Fantasy – 1:28
11. Valley Of The Queens – 3:22
CD2
01. Isis And Osiris – 8:48
02. Amazing Flight In Space – 8:00
03. Intergalactic Space Crusaders – 5:15
04. Castle Hall – 4:57
05. The Eye Of Ra – 9:16
06. Starchild – 9:21
07. The Two Gates – 14:34

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Edward Reekers, Star One

Star One – Space Metal (2002) (@256)

23 Jul 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

Star One is a straightforward and hard-edge metal side-project which Arjen Lucassen created as a reaction to the soft and atmospheric Ambeon release a year earlier. Although Star One was initially intended to be a single-singer project, it quickly transformed into a multi-singer project featuring stellar singers.

The album title tells you all you need to know. The music is loud and powerful, whilst also being extremely melodic. At times, such as on “Songs of the ocean” and “Intergalactic space crusaders”, it verges on becoming pop. The Sweet in their heyday could well have taken the latter to the top of the charts! The songs are generally less complex than those of Ayreon, but there’s still much to enjoy, with tracks like “The eye of Ra” and “Starchild” being developed into longer, slightly more progressive pieces.

The production and performance are excellent, as you would expect, with the usual array of guest vocalists and musicians. The album was inspired by “films that take place entirely in space”, with the vocalists performing dialogue “roles” on each track. Some may feel the space theme is wearing a bit thin these days, but it appears to be where Arjen finds the inspiration to create some of his best works.

Nearly all the songs are based on science fiction movies situated in space. The name Star One come comes from a 70s cult British television series named Blakes 7 in which an artificial planet called Star One is featured. The song Intergalactic Space Crusaders is also based on this series.

This edition of the album includes a bonus disc. This features additional tracks, re-workings and cover versions. The version of “Space Oddity” is interesting, somewhat heavier and darker than the original, whilst retaining strong echoes of Bowie’s vocals. Dave Brock of Hawkwind makes a personal appearance on vocals on the “Hawkwind medley”, a 9 minute run through of some of that bands better know tracks. The music of Hawkwind does not really lend itself to the medley format, thus while the track is enjoyable, it might have been better to simply cover a couple of their tracks in full.

For those who enjoy a harder edge to their music, while still wishing to hear strong melodies, and solid performances this album fits the bill very nicely.

Line-up:
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen / guitars, bass, keyboards
- Ed Warby / drums
- Russell Allen / vocals
- Damian Wilson / vocals
- Dan Swano / vocals
- Floor Jansen / vocals
with
- Jens Johansson / keyboards
- Erik Norlander / keyboards
- Gary Wehrkamp / guitar
- Robert Soeterboek / back vocals
- Dave Brock / vocals (11)

Track List:
CD1
01. Lift-off – 1:13
02. Set Your Controls – 6:01
03. High Moon – 5:36
04. Songs of the Ocean – 5:23
05. Master of Darkness – 5:14
06. The Eye of Ra – 7:34
07. Sandrider – 5:31
08. Perfect Survivor – 4:46
09. Intergalactic Space Crusaders – 5:22
10. Starchild – 9:04
CD2
01. Hawkwind Medley – 9:46
02. Spaced Out – 4:53
03. Inseparable Enemies – 4:15
04. Space Oddity [Bowie] – 4:59
05. Starchild [Mixed in Dolby Pro-Logic] – 9:31
06. Spaced Out [Alternate Version] – 4:55
07. Intergalactic Laxative – 2:32

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Dave Brock, Star One

AVG Antivirus Warnings and Voting System

23 Jul 2010

20 comments

For the past week, there have been complaints from some visitors that the site is “infected”.

This seems to be a warning from the AVG Antivirus software they have been using. The software whines about a coding style in the voting plugin that we’ve been using for the last couple of months.

There doesn’t seem to be a real problem; however since most AVG users will see this as a threat, I’ve disabled the voting plugin for the time being to stop the panic :)

Thanks to Jörg for providing the full warning message, so I could understand what AVG was picking on.

Ambeon – Fate of a Dreamer (2001) (@256)

22 Jul 2010

(Review from progarchives.com, wikipedia)

Ambeon is a side project of Arjen Lucassen, featuring a young and very talented female vocalist, Astrid van der Veen.

Originally Arjen set out to record an ambient instrumental album based on certain electronic patterns, chords and melodies derived from the recorded tracks of existing Ayreon songs (to test his new studio hardware system). In the process some new songs evolved, and Arjen figured female vocals on one or two songs would add a warm human touch.

After hearing a recording of a 14-year young Dutch singer named Astrid van der Veen, he thought that this was exactly the voice he was looking for, and so asked her to write lyrics and melodies to go over some of these re-constructed ambient tracks and then sing them. This arrangement worked out extremely well. So before he realized it the album had developed from an instrumental album with two vocal songs to a vocal album with two instrumentals.

“Fate Of A Dreamer” is a very ambient “Arjen Lucassen” album. You’ll definitely recognize the melodies which are all derived from existing Ayreon tracks. They work great in an ambient setting with the wonderful voice of (then) teenage girl Astrid van der Veen.

Arjen Lucassen has stated that he’s not satisfied with “Fate of a Dreamer” and one day would very much like to make another, better Ambeon album.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / acoustic and electric guitars, analogue keyboards, samples and weird noises
- Astrid Van Der Veen / vocals and backing vocals
- Stephen Van Haestregt / acoustic and electronic drums and percussion
- Walter Latupeirissa / bass and fretless bass guitar
with
- John McManus / low flute and Uilleann pipes
- Pat McManus / fiddle
- Erik Norlander / additional synths
- Lana Lane / reversed backing vocals

Track List:
01. Estranged – 2:49
02. Ashes – 5:31
03. High – 4:14
04. Cold Metal – 6:52
05. Fate – 7:41
06. Sick Ceremony – 3:46
07. Lost Message – 4:32
08. Surreal – 4:39
09. Sweet Little Brother – 6:08
10. Dreamer – 5:17

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Astrid van der Veen

Ayreon – Ayreonauts Only (Compilation 2000) (@256)

21 Jul 2010

(Review from wikipedia, amazon, progvisions.net)

As the title suggests, it is an album made primarily for fans of Ayreon, and contains demos and alternate versions of Ayreon songs.

Every previous Ayreon studio album is represented. There are three tracks from Ayreon’s debut album, “Final Experiment”, one from “Actual Fantasy”, one from “Into the Electric Castle”, one from “The Dream Sequencer” and four from “Flight of the Migrator”.

The first alternate version is “Into the black hole” sung by Damian Wilson and Lana Lane instead of Bruce Dickinson, who this time gives chorus only. Robert Soeterboek is the one in charge of doing vocals in “To the Solar System”, giving a more bluesy and hard rock feel.

Something similar happens to “Through the Wormhole” sung by Ian Parry in a more “classical” mood. To conclude with the “Migrators”, we find a beautiful acoustic version of “Temple of the Cat” sung by Astrid Van Der Veen, a 14-year old lady.

From “Actual Fantasy” there is only one version of “Beyond the Last Horizon” sung by Gary Hughes (Ten). From “Final Experiment” there are three tracks: “Charm of the Seer” sung by Arjen himself; “Eyes of Time” where Leon Goewie (ex Vengeance) does his best to complicate the song with his voice making a final noisy version. In “Nature’s Dance”, a beautiful acoustic guitar driven track with the voice of Arjen not filtered by Hammond’s Leslie as it was in the original.

We can find the original version of “Chaos” (opening track of “Flight of the Migrator”), originally recorded 9 years ago, now renamed as “Carpe Diem”. A very faithful version to the original but without Ed Warby’s drums.

“Original Hippie’s Amazing Trip” is sung by Mouse who originally had to be the hippie in “Into the Electric Castle” but was replaced by Arjen. With a beautiful Floydian feel the hippie’s character from the album is developed with the help of the good choirs of Anneke Van Giersbergen and Edward Reekers.

The last track is “Cold Metal”, a preview of Ambeon, the new project of Arjen Lucassen with the splendid voice of Astrid van der Veen (from track 5). The “Ambeon” project seeks a more ambient effect to Ayreon music. This track shows a new direction in the career of Arjen, beautiful and rich music with a moderate and pleasant ambient touch.

This is a great offering for Ayreon fans, however if you don’t have any material from this Dutchman, it is always better to pick any of the original works.

Line-up:
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen / vocals (8, 10), all other instruments
with
- Ed Warby / drums (1-3)
- Erik Norlander / keyboards (1, 2)
- Clive Nolan / keyboards (1)
- Gary(eon) Wehrkamp / guitar, synth (3)
- Roland Bakker / hammond (6)
- Robby Valentine / piano (6)
- Stephen van Haestregt / drums (7, 11)
- Ernst van Ee / drums (9)
- Peter Vink / bass (9)
- Cleem Determeijer / hammond, minimoog (9)
- Jolanda Verduijn / bass (11)
- Damian Wilson / vocals (1)
- Lana Lane / vocals (1), back vocals (3)
- Rob Soeterbroek / vocals (2)
- Astrid van der Veen / vocals (5, 11)
- Mouse / vocals (6)
- Anneke van Giersbergen / vocals (6)
- Edward Reekers / vocals (6)
- Gary Hughes / vocals (7)
- Leon Goewie / vocals (9)
- Bruce Dickinson / back vocals (1)
- Fabio Lione / back vocals (3)
- Rob Soeterbroek / back vocals (7)
- Okkie Huysdens / back vocals (7)
- Mirjam van Doorn / back vocals (9)
- Debbie Schreuder / back vocals (9)
- Rene Merkelbach / back vocals (9)

Track List:
01. Into the Black Hole – 10:46
02. Out of the White Hole – 7:12
03. Through the Wormhole – 6:14
04. Carpe Diem – Chaos – 4:15
05. Temple of the Cat – 3:07
06. Original Hippie’s Amazing Trip – 6:38
07. Beyond the Last Horizon – 5:34
08. The Charm of the Seer – 3:30
09. Eyes of Time – 5:10
10. Nature’s Dance – 2:33
11. Ambeon: Cold Metal – 7:10

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Astrid van der Veen, Ayreon, Bruce Dickinson, Clive Nolan, Edward Reekers

Ayreon – Universal Migrator, Pt. 2 – Flight of the Migrator (2000) (@256)

20 Jul 2010

5 comments

(Review from progarchives.com)

Part 1 of “Universal Migrator” was melodic and atmospheric, while this album is a heavy progressive adventure.

There are a plethora of guest singers and musicians, including Bruce Dickinson and Clive Nolan on “Into the Black Hole”, but the sound and feel remain very much Ayreon. The list of bands supplying guests gives more than a hint of what to expect, including as it does Symphony X, Arena, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Stratovarius, and Rhapsody.

There is still plenty of melodic, and indeed accessible rock here though, “Dawn of a Million Souls” for example has an anthemic chorus backed by heavy keyboards and orchestration. The usual space and time themes prevail throughout, with more synthesiser, organ and guitar solos than most bands manage in their entire existence. There’s an excitement and good feeling to the music which gives this concept album a lasting appeal.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, analogue synthesizers, Hammond, Mellotron and additional keyboards
- Erik Norlander / analogue synthesizers, piano, vocoder, Hammond and additional keyboards
- Ed Warby / drums
- Michael Romeo / guitar (2)
- Oscar Holleman / guitar (4)
- Gary Wehrkamp / guitar, keyboards (6)
- Rene Merkelbach / keyboards (4)
- Clive Nolan / synth (5)
- Keiko Kumagai / keyboards (9)
- Russel Allen / vocals (2)
- Ralf Scheepers / vocals (3)
- Andi Deris / vocals (4)
- Bruce Dickinson / vocals (5)
- Fabio Leone / vocals (7)
- Timo Kotipelto / vocals (7)
- Robert Soeterboek / vocals (8)
- Ian Parry / vocals (9)
- Damion Wilson / back vocals (2)
- Lana Lane / back vocals (4-6, 9), narration (1)

Track List:
01. Chaos – 5:11
02. Dawn Of A Million Souls – 7:45
03. Journey On The Waves Of Time – 5:47
04. To The Quasar – 8:42
05. Into The Black Hole – 10:25
06. Through The Wormhole – 6:05
07. Out Of The White Hole – 7:10
08. To The Solar System – 6:12
09. The New Migrator – 8:15

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Bruce Dickinson, Clive Nolan

Ayreon – Universal Migrator Pt. 1 – Dream Sequencer (2000) (@256)

19 Jul 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

Released in 2000 as the first of two albums entitled “Universal Migrator”, this set bears the sub-title “Dream Sequencer”. The two sets come from rather different moulds. While part 2 (“Flight of the Migrator”) has a distinctly metal edge to it, this album focuses on lighter, more melodic aspects.

These albums continue a developing science fiction story started on Ayreon’s first album (but bypassed on the second). By now, Earth has been destroyed by a war, the survivors forming a colony on Mars. These innovative people build a “Dream Sequencer”, allowing them to experience once again, their past lives.

The opening “The dream sequencer” is a smooth, Gilmour-esque scene setter, with atmospheric spoken word introducing a lead guitar instrumental. As we merge into “My house on Mars”, the mood remains constrained, with processed lead vocals alternating with a female chorus. The track builds subtly, with horn like synths (as featured on the aforementioned “The final countdown”) conveying the main theme. If you enjoy those opening numbers, you are pretty much guaranteed to be drawn in by the rest of the album. “One small step” for example is a magnificent piece, but could well be “My house on mars, part 2″.

“The shooting company of Captain Frans B. Cocq” is one of the most diverse numbers on the album, dipping into David Bowie territory at one stage, complete with his Cockney style accent. As is Lucassen’s custom, he calls on the services of a diverse range of vocalists and instrumentalists throughout the album. Of these, highlights include the appearance of Lana Lane on a number of tracks, and Clive Nolan adding keyboards to “2084″. The closing “The first man on Earth” features the distinctive voice of Neal Morse, resulting in a song which is a strange crossbreed of Ayreon and Spock’s Beard.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the album is the way Lucassen develops the songs. Time it seems is not an issue here with many of the numbers, while relatively simple in structure, being elaborated into 7 and 8 minute pieces. That is not to imply that they outstay their welcome, the listener’s attention is retained throughout by inventive instrumentation and variations on the themes.

Simply sit back and enjoy and hour or so of highly melodic music performed by masters in their field.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, analogue synthesizers, Hammond, Mellotron and additional keyboards, vocals
- Erik Norlander / analogue synthesizers, piano, vocoder, Hammond and additional keyboards
- Rob Snijders / drums
- Clive Nolan / synth solo (3)
- Johan Edlund / vocals (2)
- Floor Jansen / vocals (2)
- Lana Lane – vocals (3, 6), voice (1), back vocals (4, 5)
- Edward Reekers / vocals (4)
- Mouse / vocals (5)
- Jacqueline Govaert / vocals (7)
- Damian Wilson / vocals
- Neal Morse / vocals (10)
- Mark McCrite / back vocals (10)

Track List:
01. The Dream Sequencer – 5:09
02. My house on Mars – 7:48
03. 2084 – 7:41
04. One small step – 8:45
05. The Shooting Company of Captain Frans B. Cocq – 7:57
06. Dragon on the Sea – 7:08
07. Temple of the Cat – 4:10
08. Carried by the Wind – 3:58
09. And the Druids turn to stone – 6:36
10. The first man on Earth – 7:19
11. The Dream Sequencer reprise – 3:38

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Clive Nolan, Edward Reekers

Ayreon – Into The Electric Castle (1998) (@256)

18 Jul 2010

1 comment

(Review from progarchives.com, allmusic)

Into the Electric Castle is a complicated story involving eight individuals who are pulled from out of their timeline and brought together by an entity called Forever of the Stars. They are given the task of finding the Electric Castle and entering it to find out what’s inside. The storyline is actually a lot more complex and covers several levels of concepts.

The historical characters include the Roman played by Edwin Balogh (Omega), the Indian played by Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), the Barbarian played by Jay van Feggelin (Bodine), the Highlander played by Fish (Marillion), the Egyptian played by Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering), the Hippie played by Anthony Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon’s creator), the Futureman played by Edward Reekers (Kayak), and the Knight played by Damian Wilson (Threshold, Landmarq). In addition, Peter Daltrey (Kaleidoscope) is the voice of Forever of the Stars. In addition to all these vocalists, a number of guest instrumentalists appear on this album, including Clive Nolan (Arena), Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak), Thijs van Leer (Focus), Ed Warby (Gorefest), and others. Lucassen really gathered together a wonderful group of performers.

The musicianship on this album is superb incorporating elements of symphonic progressive rock, progressive metal, psychedelic, electronica, and occasionally some blues and jazz. The production is amazing, the mix is perfect. Lucassen is clearly a skilled studio technician in addition to his musicianship.

The concept and characters are based on old sci-fi TV shows and B-movies. They still reflect on so many levels of human perception, such as how each character perceives what the Electric Castle might be. The Highlander perceives it as Hell, the Knight as the Island of Avalon where the Holy Grail is, the Roman perceives it as the Underworld, the Egyptian perceives it as the Afterlife, the Hippie thinks he’s in a drug-induced stupor, and the Futureman perceives it as a virtual reality. The conflicts between these different personalities from different eras of civilization adds a whole additional layer. Lucassen may have been inspired by B-movies, but he has the making of a compelling storyline for a full-blown science fiction novel.

This campy rock opera spawned a devout cult following for Ayreon.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / guitars, mandolin, bass, Minimoog, Mellotron & keyboards, vocals
with
- Fish / vocals
- Damian Wilson / vocals
- Sharon Den Adel / vocals
- Edward Reekers / vocals
- Anneke van Giersbergen / vocals
- Edwin Balogh / vocals
- Jay van Feggelen / vocals
- Peter Daltrey / narrator
- Roland Bakker / Hammonds
- Jack Pisters / sitar
- Robby Valentine / pianos, synth solos on IIa, IIIa (disc 1) and IV (disc 2), mellotron on VIa (disc 2)
- Erno Olah / violins
- Clive Nolan / synth solos
- Rene Merkelbach / synth solos, harpsichord
- Ton Scherpenzeel / synth solos
- Ed Warby / drums
- Taco Kooistra / celli
- Thijs van Leer / flute

Track List:
CD1
01. Welcome To The New Dimension – 3:06
02. Isis And Osiris – 11:11
03. Amazing Flight – 10:15
04. Time Beyond Time – 6:04
05. The Decision Tree (We’re Alive) – 6:23
06. Tunnel Of Light – 4:05
07. Across The Rainbow Bridge – 6:19
CD2
01. The Garden Of Emotions – 9:41
02. Valley Of The Queens – 2:24
03. The Castle Hall – 5:49
04. Tower Of Hope – 4:53
05. Cosmic Fusion – 7:27
06. The Mirror Maze – 6:34
07. Evil Devolution – 6:30
08. The Two Gates – 6:28
09. ‘Forever’ Of The Stars – 2:02
10. Another Time, Another Space – 5:20

Link in comments.

Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Clive Nolan, Edward Reekers, Fish, Thijs van Leer, Ton Scherpenzeel

Ayreon – Actual Fantasy (1996) (@256)

17 Jul 2010

(Review from metal-archives.com, progarchives.com)

Ayreon second release is the only one which does not stick to the plot that is gradually developed on the other albums, namely that science fiction story about the alien species called Forevers and their pursuit of rediscovering their lost emotions. “Actual Fantasy” also develops science-fiction and social themes, but they are taken separately. That said, this release can be regarded as the easiest to listen from the Ayreon catalogue, not only because of the independent songs, but also because this is the less progressive work Lucassen has developed in the Ayreon project.

Highlights? “Abbey of Synn” is one of them, not only because of the inspiration from Umberto Eco’s novel “The name of the rose”, the song, despite its length, manages to capture the listener’s attention due to its atmospheric and vocal passages. The next two songs, “Stranger from within” and “Computer Eyes” follow the same manner. The electronic passages are intertwined throughout the album, “Computer eyes” and “Far side of the world” are full of them.

Arjen Lucassen has never been the man for outstanding guitar solos, so this album kind of lacks this component, but it’s compensated by the strong use of electric sounds, acoustic guitars, the overused layer of synths and of course, the metal incorporated.

Added to this, there are the lyrics which treat, as mentioned, various themes, such as: mental fantasies, criticism on the inappropriate and excessive use of computer games and virtual reality, post-death experiences and so on.

Although this is a great feat of musical composition, arrangement and technical precision; it’s actually not one of the best albums of the band. Ayreon was destined to do a lot better.

Line-up:
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen / all instruments
with
- Robert Soeterbeek / vocals
- Edward Reekers / vocals
- Okkie Huysden / vocals
- Cleem Determeijer / synth solo (3, 4)
- Rene Merkelenbach / hammond, synth solo (2)

Track List:
01. Actual Fantasy – 1:33
02. Abbey Of Synn – 9:34
03. The Stranger From Within – 7:40
04. Computer Eyes – 7:27
05. Beyond The Last Horizon – 7:35
06. Farside Of The World – 6:20
07. Back On Planet Earth – 7:04
08. Forevermore – 7:16
09. The Dawn Of Man (Bonus) – 7:32
10. The Stranger From Within (Bonus Single) – 3:38

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Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Edward Reekers

Wally – Valley Gardens (1975) (@256)

16 Jul 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

Before they released their second album in 1975, Paul Gerrett leaves the band is replaced by Nick Glennie-Smith.

The music on this album is a lot more symphonic and space rock’ed than the debut album. The sound is pretty full of spacey elements. Pink Floyd is a natural inspiration, it seems. Yet the music is still rooted in country & western, with the violin still omni-present.

The nineteen minutes long “The Reason Why” is noteworthy, a work out of astronomical proportions with space rock and country vocal harmonies.

This is an interesting album, with a sound that promised more than they delivered by the time the band broke up.

Line-up:
- Pete Cosker / Electric and acoustic guitars, vocals, bass
- Nick Glennie-Smith / Keyboards
- Paul Middleton / Steel guitar, bass
- Roger Narraway / Percussion
- Pete Sage / Electric violin, bass, mandolin
- Roy Webber / Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
with
- Jan Glennie Smith / Vocals
- Madeline Bell / Vocals
- Ray Wherstein / Sax

Track List:
01. Valley Gardens – 9:51
02. Nez Perce – 5:03
03. The Mood I’m In – 7:07
04. The Reason Why – 18:28

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Wally

Wally – Wally (1974) (@256)

15 Jul 2010

7 comments

(Review from progarchives.com)

While much of the sixties were marked by the British invasion of America and all points west and east of Liverpool, there seem to have been some points in time where the influences flowed the other direction, if only in isolated pockets. Wally are one of those rare examples of this phenomenon.

Wally was formed in the early 70s, discovered in 1972 when they reached the finals of a “Melody Maker” contest. Bob Harris, one of the judges, got them a contract and with the support of Rick Wakeman co-produced their debut self titled album in 1974.

The album has a clear symphonic sound, specially in the opener “Martyr” and the twelve minutes epic “To the Urban Man” with great mellotron but a good deal of country music influence, more evident in songs as “I Just Wanna Be a Cowboy” that mixes some Eagles sound.

Line-up:
- Pete Cosker / Electric and acoustic guitars, vocals, bass guitar
- Paul Gerrett / Fender Rhodes, harmonium, grand piano, harpischord, Mellotron, hammond organ, vocals
- Paul Middleton / Steel guitar, bass guitar
- Roger Narraway / percussion
- Pete Sage / Electric violin, bass guitar, mandolin
- Roy Webber / lead vocals, acoustic guitar

Track List:
01. The Martyr – 7:59
02. I Just Wanna Be A Cowboy – 4:03
03. What To Do – 7:37
04. Sunday Walking Lady – 2:36
05. To The Urban Man – 13:45
06. Your Own Way – 5:27

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Wally

Necromandus – Necrothology (1971-73) (@256)

14 Jul 2010

5 comments

(Review from alexgitlin.com)

“Necrothology” features extended and alternate versions of songs from the Morgan Studios sessions together with some otherwise unavailable tracks, a very rare live number from 1971 and a special tribute song.

Line-up:
- Barry Dunnery / guitar
- Frank Hall / drums
- Dennis McCarten / bass
- Bill Branch / vocals

Track List:
01. Intro – 1:08
02. Curly Sea Slug – 6:12
03. Nightjar – 4:58
04. Orexis of Death – 4:54
05. I’ve Been Evil – 6:21
06. A Black Solitude – 4:28
07. Still Born Beauty – 4:06
08. Gypsy Dancer – 6:51
09. Homicidal Psychopath – 3:24
10. Orexis of Death – 4:29
11. Mogidisimo – 1:19
12. Nightjar – 5:23

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Necromandus

Necromandus – Live (1973) (@256)

13 Jul 2010

(Review from recordhaven.net)

This is a recording made at one of the band’s gigs in Blackpool, on March 30th, 1973.

This complete concert is dark and powerful as you’d expect with amazing lead guitar wizardry . A sombre trademark of this highly regarded downer-rock quartet. The mild banter between songs is so humble, yet the music is so killer.

Also notable are two songs performed here that were intended for a never-realised second album.

Line-up:
- Barry Dunnery / guitar
- Frank Hall / drums
- Dennis McCarten / bass
- Bill Branch / vocals

Track List:
01. Judy Green Rocket – 3:54
02. Still Born Beauty – 4:19
03. Homicidal Psychopath – 3:26
04. Gypsy Dancer – 9:56
05. Limpet Man – 6:02
06. A Black Solitude – 4:41
07. Orexis of Death – 4:17
08. Nightjar – 4:40

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Necromandus

Necromandus – Orexis of Death (1973) (@256)

12 Jul 2010

(Review from rockofages, alexgitlin.com)

One of the more obscure but interesting stories in early 70s British rock is that of Cumbrian band Necromandus. As early associates of Black Sabbath; the band were taken under the wing of Tony Iommi, who subsequently acted as the band’s mentor and producer as the band assembled tracks for their debut album.

A short acoustic piece entitled “Mogidissimo Pt. 1″ gives way quickly to the first song proper, the excellent “Nightjar”. A rollicking, riffing piece of pure early 70s progressive blues rock it quickly dispels any thoughts that Necromandus are mere Sabbath copyists as this is more akin to Wishbone Ash or Uriah Heep.

“Still Born Beauty”, the A side closer, is another excellent track that proves that even lacking the wall of sound Sabbath could boast they did possess the dark subject matter and just dressed it differently and with a lot more subtlety.

Gypsy Dancer is again a drawn out progressive rock workout that draws on folk and jazz influences at times but allows for some guitar wizardry.

Title track Orexis Of Death is another fine rocker and the vocals of Bill Branch are more enhanced here to great benefit. However once again it’s the guitar work that steals the attention. Dunnery alternates between intricacy and intensity and is joined for some subtle jazz-rock soloing by Tony Iommi himself.

The slow, sparsely instrumented introduction to “I’ve Been Evil” is heavy enough to at last see some real comparison to Black Sabbath themselves until a suitably demonic final swirl ultimately gives way to a final return of the Satanic music-box sound of Mogidissimo Pt.2 that closes the album.

The album was shelved and not released at the time, this event being a key to the band’s disintegration.

This edition of the album includes two versions of the band’s 1972 doomy, riff-laden “Judy Green Rocket” as a bonus.

Line-up:
- Barry Dunnery / guitar
- Frank Hall / drums
- Dennis McCarten / bass
- Bill Branch / vocals

Track List:
01. Judy Green Rocket (Bonus Demo) – 3:39
02. Mogidisimo – 0:31
03. Nightjar – 4:14
04. A Black Solitude – 4:32
05. Homicidal Psychopath – 3:24
06. Still Born Beauty – 4:07
07. Gypsy Dancer – 6:53
08. Orexis of Death – 4:30
09. Mogidisimo (Reprise) – 1:16
10. Judy Green Rocket (Bonus Live) – 3:34

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Necromandus

Waniyetula – Iron City (1971-78) (@256)

11 Jul 2010

(Info from recordhaven.net)

This is an archival release, made of the band’s unreleased early studio and live tracks from 1971-78 in good sound quality.

Line-up:
- Heinz Kuhne / guitar, vocals, keyboads
- Herman Beckert / bass
- Thomas Goerdten / drums
- Richard Kersten / acoustic guitar, vocals (2-7)
- Norbert Abels / keyboads (2-7)

Track List:
01. Lindis Farne (Live 1971) – 8:50
02. Wish I Were Happy (1974) – 12:39
03. You’ve Really Got It Fixed (1974) – 10:31
04. Iron City (1974) – 11:23
05. Look At The People (1974) – 12:18
06. Alone (1978) – 5:58
07. Valley Of Unrest (1978) – 7:06

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Waniyetula

Waniyetula – A Dream Within A Dream (1983) (@256)

10 Jul 2010

(Review from gnosis2000.net)

During the interim between the recording and release of “Nature’s Clear Well”, Waniyetula embarked on an ambitious project surrounding the works of Edgar Allan Poe. When the Alan Parsons Project debuted with the exact idea, Waniyetula were deflated and it took a number of years to finally get the sound they wanted.

Not surprising, then, that the Poe titled “A Dream Within a Dream” has the distinct pop-prog sound of Alan Parsons Project. In fact, the closest comparison would be the Canadian group Saga, especially at the time of “World’s Apart”.

The songwriting is crisp, with an eye on the sales charts, but an unusually high music quotient. Other than the stray mellotron and organ sighting, most of the sounds are out of the early 80s digital factory. The production is almost too perfect.

This is an album that traps a spacey atmosphere and draws you into it as in a dream.

Line-up:
- Heinz Kuhne / guitar, vocals
- Herman Beckert / bass
- Stephan Remes / drums, vocals
- Norbert Abels / keyboads

Track List:
01. The Foreboding – 4:24
02. Alone – 6:19
03. Feathery Bird – 4:57
04. Valley Of Unrest – 7:06
05. A Dream Within A Dream – 4:57
06. Song Of Master And Boatswain – 4:39
07. If I Could Tell You – 3:49
08. Dreamland – 5:37
09. Yessertronics – 3:40
10. Vision (Bonus) – 4:20
11. Light My Fire (Bonus Live Doors Cover) – 7:35
12. Lindis Farne (Bonus Live) – 8:36

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Waniyetula

Waniyetula (Galaxy) – Nature’s Clear Well (1975) (@256)

09 Jul 2010

6 comments

(Review from progarchives.com)

Waniyetula were a German band that existed for nearly a decade and a half, but one whose career was marred by bad timing and bad marketing.

The band recorded a full-length studio album in 1975 with Dieter Dirks producing it, but when it was finally released in the U.S. in 1978, progressive music was already in decline and their label issued the album (“Nature’s Clear Well”) under the band name Galaxy.

The lyrics are introspective, and are apparently supposed to represent an other-worldly view of earth through the eyes of visitors from afar. Kind of similar to the perspective of Klaatu’s “Hope” album, or the Kansas tune “Nobody’s Home”: “The world is full of a bunch of self-destructive humans who would do well to look to the skies for inspiration and a better way of living”.

The music is melodic with lots of funky guitars, mellow keyboards, and harmonic vocals. And speaking of the vocals, these guys don’t sound German at all. The keyboards are quite good for the time period, and are a perfect example of the neo symphonic resurgence that peaked a couple years before this was released.

The title track is the highlight of the album; mellow vocals, intricate and vibrant keyboards and piano, jazzy guitars (including a lot of acoustic guitar) and a varied tempo that makes the track seem even longer and more epic-like than its eleven minutes.

The rest of the album is in much the same vein, with the exceptions of “Dreams out in The Rain” which has an Alan Parsons Project feel to it; “I’ve Come from a World” which sounds like it was recorded apart from the rest of the album and has a latter-seventies borderline arena-rock anthem groove; and the closing “Wish I Were Happy”, which was clearly written to be performed at the end of a live concert — acoustic guitar strumming, string synths, and a jam session ending.

Line-up:
- Norbert Abels / keyboards, backing vocals
- Hermann Beckert / bass
- Victor Bergmann / drums, percussion
- Richard Kersten / lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars
- Heinz Kuhne / acoustic & electric guitars, backing vocals
with
- Mario Argandona / back vocals
- Tato Gomez / back vocals
- Chico de los Reyes / back vocals

Track List:
01. Nature’s Clear Well – 10:42
02. You’ve Really Got It Fixed – 4:25
03. Warning Walls – 5:16
04. Dreams Out In The Rain – 6:25
05. I’ve Come From A World – 4:20
06. Wish I Were Happy – 6:17

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Waniyetula

Linda Hoyle – Pieces Of Me (1971) (@256)

08 Jul 2010

6 comments

(Review from allmusic)

It probably isn’t surprising to learn that Hoyle’s solo debut, cut following the final dissolution of Affinity in 1971, does not deviate too far from that band’s jazz-rock modus operandi. Yet, in seeking to trim the instrumental fat from Affinity’s sometimes gruelling work-outs, and concentrate the attention on the songs (and lyrics) themselves, to showcase Hoyle as a far more exciting figure.

Reminiscent in places of the best of Julie Driscoll’s late 1960s work – a role model that Hoyle was singularly well-placed to succeed – Pieces Of Me likewise borrows from several of Driscoll’s own influences. The Nina Simone and Laura Nyro songbooks both contribute to the proceedings, with the latter’s “Lonely Woman” standing among the best tracks on the entire album.

Hoyle’s own work, largely written in tandem with keyboard player Karl Jenkins, is equally powerful, with the eerie “Hymn To Valerie Solanis”, and the regretful “Journey’s End” ranking among the other highlights. The intriguing “Ballad Of Marty Mole”, meanwhile, reads like a cross between Bob Dylan and Beatrix Potter, and could well give children nightmares for days.

Track List:
01. Backlash Blues – 5:55
02. Paper Tulips – 3:34
03. Black Crow – 3:18
04. For My Darling – 3:58
05. Pieces Of Me – 4:06
06. Lonely Women – 4:06
07. Hymn To Valerie Solanas – 4:03
08. The Ballad Of Marty Mole – 4:31
09. Journey’s End – 3:16
10. Morning For One – 4:23
11. Barrel House Music – 2:41

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Linda Hoyle

Affinity – 1971-72 (@256)

07 Jul 2010

(Review from allmusic)

Singer Linda Hoyle and organ player Lynton Naiff left Affinity in 1971. This set — aptly titled for the timespan it covers — not only documents the band’s further activities, it also suggests that their ultimate demise was far from timely.

With Vivienne McAuliffe proving a more than ample replacement, Affinity continued both gigging and recording, and this collection of previously unreleased demos and outtakes finds the band in excellent form.

One can only imagine how great they might have been, had they had a full studio (and a recording budget) at their disposal!

Line-up:
- Mo Foster / bass, percussion, Hammond organ, double bass, Fender piano
- Vivienne McAuliffe / vocals, vacuum cleaner
- Grant Serpell / drums, vacuum cleaner
- Dave Watts / piano, Hammond organ, vacuum cleaner

Track List:
01. Moira’s Hand – 5:21
02. Grey Skies – 8:42
03. Cream On Your Face – 5:23
04. Sunshower – 5:47
05. All Along The Watchtower, It’s About That Time – 7:45
06. Rio – 4:50
07. Poor Man’s Son – 3:25
08. Sarah’s Wardrobe – 4:17
09. Highgate – 3:56

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Affinity

Affinity – If You Live (1969-70) (@256)

06 Jul 2010

5 comments

(Review from allmusic)

Kicking off with both sides of their “Eli’s Coming” single, “If You Live” then divides itself between early (1968-1969) demos and material intended for the group’s abandoned second album.

A seven-minute jazz workout, “Yes Man” is as strong as anything on the first album, while there’s also a powerful revision of “I Am the Walrus” that might not be as intense as their “All Along the Watchtower”, but still rates among the most dynamic Beatles covers of the age.

It all adds up to the most consistent of the manifold Affinity outtakes, off cuts, and oddities collections to have surfaced and a well-deserved indication of just how far they could have traveled if they hadn’t imploded so tragically early.

Line-up:
- Mo Foster / percussion, bass, double bass
- Linda Hoyle / vocals
- Lynton Naiff / percussion, piano, harpsichord, Hammond organ, vibraphone, Wurlitzer
- Grant Serpell / percussion, drums

Track List:
01. Eli’s Coming – 3:28
02. United States of Mind – 2:45
03. Yes Man – 7:22
04. If You Live – 3:12
05. I Am The Walrus – 4:04
06. You Met Your Match – 2:59
07. Long Voyage – 4:17
08. Little Lonely Man – 3:57

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Affinity, Linda Hoyle

Affinity – Live Instrumentals (1969) (@256)

05 Jul 2010

(Review from allmusic)

A magnificent piece of archive scouring, “Live Instrumentals” was recorded during the month or so that Affinity vocalist Linda Hoyle spent recuperating from an operation on her vocal chords, leaving bandmates to fill their time with a month-long residency at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London.

Nine of the tracks here, including tumultuous jazz-rock versions of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” (a staple of the like-minded Brian Auger’s repertoire around the same time), and “Fever” were recorded there; four more were taken from a period-radio broadcast, and the album wraps up with the instrumental rampage “On Green Dolphin Street,” recorded by the University of Sussex Jazz Trio, from which the original Affinity ultimately arose.

Line-up:
- Mo Foster / Bass
- Lynton Naiff / Piano, Hammond Organ
- Nick Nicholas / Double Bass
- Grant Serpell / Drums

Track List:
01. Jive Samba – 4:50
02. Dis Here – 5:48
03. Comin’ Home Baby – 3:48
04. Out Of The Storm – 7:25
05. Fever – 3:15
06. 13 Death March – 5:42
07. All Blues – 4:17
08. 81 – 4:01
09. A Day In The Life – 6:48
10. All Blues – 4:25
11. 81 – 4:36
12. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – 4:47
13. Jive Samba – 3:45
14. On Green Dolphin Street – 4:28

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Affinity

Affinity – Origins (1965-67) (@256)

04 Jul 2010

(Review from allmusic)

After Baskervilles, drummer Mo Foster joins future Affinity pianist Lynton Naiff. Alongside double-bassist Nick Nicholas, the pair formed the succinctly and so accurately named Jazz Trio.

This trio’s recordings make up this set, a clutch of songs recorded in sundry locations around their university base: a rudimentary studio, the debating chamber, and various noisy bars; spanning over three years.

It’s fairly straightforward stuff; the repertoire is locked into light jazz arrangements of sundry pop and torch classics.

However, one definite treat on board, as the final track, a reprise of “My Funny Valentine,” reunites Nicholas and Foster at a 1980 party, then adds Linda Hoyle’s so distinctive vocals to the brew. It isn’t brilliant, it isn’t especially well-recorded. But it does lend a neat circularity to the collection.

Line-up:
- Mo Foster / Drums
- Lynton Naiff / Piano
- Nick Nichols / Double bass

Track List:
01. Autumn Leaves – 4:49
02. Django – 3:30
03. My Funny Valentine – 3:16
04. I Got Plenty – 4:54
05. Dat Dere – 6:21
06. Lover Man – 5:23
07. Blues Etude – 1:49
08. Some Day My Prince Will Come – 2:28
09. Cubano Chant – 2:35
10. Jordu – 0:58
11. My Funny Valentine – 5:00
12. Autumn Leaves – 5:31
13. You Look Good To Me – 6:17
14. The Preacher – 5:34
15. My Funny Valentine (Bonus 1980) – 2:13

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Affinity

Affinity – Origins: Baskervilles (Live 1965) (@256)

03 Jul 2010

(Review from allmusic)

At first glance this doesn’t look a very promising release; for starters, the only future Affinity member within is Mo Foster, and he’s playing drums. Besides, the Baskervilles were no more than a short-lived college covers band, and the bulk of the group members left music swiftly behind once they gained their degrees.

However the band appear to be astonishingly accomplished — even Foster, who learned drums while playing them here. As was the fashion in those days, the Baskervilles faithfully echoed as closely as possible the original style and feel of the songs, yet their repertoire was diverse enough to showcase their jazz, blues, surf, and R&B influences.

Their steaming “Freight Train,” scorching “Summertime Blues,” thundering “Peggy Sue Got Married,” and exuberant “Hallelujah I Love Her So” show where their real sympathies lay. The group’s take on “Get Off of My Cloud” comes close to rivaling the Rolling Stones, whom they promptly snookered by using the song as the opening of a medley comprising more saccharine fare.

Just as amusing is the Baskervilles’ recorder-led stab at “Take Five,” or Foster exuberantly battering about on his kit on “I Feel Fine.” More telling is the slight surf twist Kris Johnson gives “She’s Not There,” a trick he successfully employs elsewhere on the set, and reaches an apotheosis on the rehearsal version of “Perfidia.”

The bulk of this album was recorded live at two school functions and the Baskervilles never attempted any original numbers, happy just to reproduce others’ hits in the band’s own indomitable manner.

Line-up:
- Andy Brentnall / Vocals
- Kris Johnson / Guitars
- Brian Davis / Guitars
- Mo Foster / Drums
- John Carter / Back Vocals
with
- Helen Wright / Tambourine

Track List:
01. She’s Not There – 2:32
02. I Feel Fine – 3:02
03. Good News Week – 3:03
04. Tambourine Man – 3:24
05. I Saw Her Standing There – 2:31
06. Hallelujah I Love Her – 2:32
07. Freight Train – 2:09
08. Love Potion 9 – 2:02
09. You Like Me Too Much – 2:40
10. Day Tripper – 2:57
11. We Can Work It Out – 2:09
12. Peggy Sue – 2:27
13. Satisfaction – 3:45
14. Yesterday – 2:13
15. Bumble Bee – 2:19
16. Perfidia – 2:15
17. Another Girl – 2:11
18. Summertime Blues – 2:32
19. Merry Christmas – 1:36
20. Get Off My Cloud – 1:39
21. Sweets For My Sweet – 0:37
22. Hang On Sloopy – 0:42
23. Get Off My Cloud – 1:43
24. Tambourine Man (Bonus Rehearsal) – 3:27
25. Always Something (Bonus Rehearsal) – 2:36
26. You Like Me (Bonus Rehearsal) – 2:49
27. Perfidia (Bonus Rehearsal) – 2:18
28. Trains & Boats (Bonus Rehearsal) – 3:05
29. Last Time (Bonus Rehearsal) – 3:22
30. Hide Your Love (Bonus Live) – 2:23
31. Take 5 (Bonus Live) – 3:06
32. Merry Christmas (Bonus Live) – 1:00

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Affinity

Samla Mammas Manna – Dear Mamma (Live 2002) (@256)

02 Jul 2010