Posts tagged Fantasy

(Review from holeintheweb.com)

Fantasy was one of those rare but yet typical British bands of the 1970′s: they sounded like no one else and their music was quirkily individual as much as it was “progressive.” Like other such bands, Fantasy were song-oriented and had a distinctive vocal sound, built on tight harmonies. The instrumental accompaniment was subordinate, but finely crafted to each piece.

“Vivariatum” collects four tracks recorded on acetate by Chapel Farm (an early incarnation of the band) in 1970 and six pieces recorded (but weren’t released) during a brief reformation in 1976, and the B-side of their one Polydor single.

The album has a odd track order. It opens with two of the 1970 tracks, follows them with three of the 1976 tracks, tosses the 1973 B-side into the exact center of the album and follows that with the remaining three tracks from 1976, followed in turn by the remaining two tracks from 1970.

Being a collection of various unreleased material, the album isn’t consistent, probably appealing the Fantasy fans only.

Line-up:
- David Read / bass, double bass, vocals
- Paul Lawrence / 12 string guitar, vocals
- David Metcalfe / keyboards, clarinet, vocals
- Paul Petley / lead vocals
- Peter James / lead guitar, vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / lead guitar
- Jon Webster / drums

Track List:
01. Fire Fire – 6:40
02. Vacuum – 4:03
03. in my life – 3:55
04. Low Love – 4:25
05. Stardrifing – 4:29
06. I Was Once Aware – 3:28
07. Could It Be Forever – 3:55
08. Fantasy Moods – 4:10
09. Angel – 3:23
10. Alone – 4:30
11. Afterthought (Original version) – 7:25

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(Review from vintageprog.com)

Along with Spring and Cressida, Fantasy was one of the classic bands in the soft, symphonic and melodic vein of early British progressive rock. “Paint…” was unfortunately the only album they managed to get out while they still existed, but in return, the whole album is a true delight! Very beautiful, melodic and atmospheric with great songwriting from the first to the last track. Personally I like the band best when they were at their most mellow, and tracks like “Icy River”, “Gnome Song”, “The Award” and the title-track are among my favourites. “Politely Insane” is probably the best of the more uptempo tracks, with its catchy melody and great brass-arrangement. Both the atmosphere, sound and lyrics of the last track, “Silent Mime”, reminds me actually quite a lot of the title track from Novalis’ “Banished Bridge”. Vocals are soft and pleasant with lots of good harmonies. Arrangements are tasty with lots of atmospheric organ, Mellotron and guitar. Overall, this is classic stuff.

Line-up:
- Paul Lawrence / 12 string guitar, vocals
- David Read / bass, vocals
- David Metcalfe / keyboards, vocals
- Peter James / lead guitar, vocals
- Jon Webster / percussion, vocals

Track List:
01. Paint A Picture (5:24)
02. Circus (6:18)
03. The Award (4:52)
04. Politely Insane (3:27)
05. Widow (2:12)
06. Icy River (5:53)
07. Thank Christ (4:06)
08. Young Man’s Fortune (3:41)
09. Gnome Song (4:19)
10. Silent Mine (4:39)
11. Beyond The Beyond (Bonus) (5:37)
12. Reality (Bonus) (2:58)
13. Alanderie (Bonus) (9:01)
14. Afterthought (Bonus) (5:51)
15. Worried Man (Bonus) (2:56)
16. Just A Dream (Bonus) (3:32)
17. Winter Rose (Bonus) (3:27)

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