Sunday, March 20, 2011

Focus-Hamburger Concerto.

Thijs van Leer-organ, piano, harpsichord, electric piano, flute, alto flute, Arp synthesizer, recorder, mellotron, vibes, accordion, the organ of St Mary the virgin, Barnes, handclaps, all voices, whistling.
Bert Ruiter-bass, auto harp, triangles, Chinese hand cymbals, handclaps, Swiss bells.
Colin Allen (ex Stone the Crows)-drums, conga drums, tambourine, castanets, cabasa, woodblock, Chines gong timpani, handclaps, flexatone, cuica.
Jan Akkerman,- lute, timpani, handclaps, all guitars.

Focus is a progressive Dutch band-Holland top musical export. It was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the songs "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia".

This album under the Polydor label was recorded in 1974-it lacks the magical quality of their previous hits maybe because of the long jamming.

Music styles from classical, progressive rock to jazz fusion which are their forte - are well arranged and composed and gives each band member a chance to show of their musical talent.

The song Hamburger Concerto in 6 movements was named after the different stages of cooking a hamburger.

My fave song is " Hamburger Concerto"



Side One: 1. "Delitiae Musicae" 2."Harem Scarem" 3. "La Cathedrale de Strasbour 4. "Birth"

Side Two: 1. "Hamburger Concerto" a. "Starter" "Rare" b. "Medium I" c. "Medium II" d. "Well Done" e. "One for the Road" (video)







Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Curved Air-Phantasmagoria.

Sonja Kristina-vocals, acoustic guitar (with a mysterious voice).
Francis Monkman (ex- Sisyphus)-guitars, keyboards, tubular bells, gong, percussion (cool guitar).
Florian Pilkington-Miksa (ex-Sisyphus)-drums, percussion (solid and extraordinary).
Darryl Way (ex-Trace)-violin, keyboards, tubular bells, mellotron (eerie synths on his violin).
Mike Wedgewood (ex-Caravan)-bass, acoustic guitar, vocals (understated bass).

Guest Musicians:
- Annie Stewart / flute on "Melinda (More or Less)"
- Crispian Steele-Perkins / trumpet
- Paul Cosh / trumpet
- Jim Watson / trumpet
- George Parnaby / trumpet
- Chris Pyne / trombone
- Alan Gout / trombone
- David Purser / trombone
- Steve Saunders / trombone
- Frank Ricotti / xylophone, vibes
- Mal Linwood-Ross / percussion
- Colin Caldwell / percussion
- Jean Akers / percussion and featuring
- Doris the Cheetah / Grand Finale on Cheetah

Curved Air were a British progressive art rock band formed in 1968.

This masterpiece 3rd album was recorded in 1972 under the Warner Bros Record.
It reached No. 20 in the UK Charts and is notable for its early use of the EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer to process lead singer Sonja Kristina's voice on the second side.

Music is advanced for it's time-soft, progressive rock and does not offend the ears.

My fave song is " Melinda (More or less)" and "Marie Antoinette."



Side One: 1. "Marie Antoinette" 2. "Melinda (More or Less)" (video) 3. "Not Quite the Same" 4 "Cheetah" 5. "Ultra-Vivaldi"

Side Two: 1. "Phantasmagoria" 2. "Whose Shoulder Are You Looking Over Anyway? 3. "Over and Above" 4."Once a Ghost, Always a Ghost"