What does it sound like?:
Resplendent in its Roger Dean artwork, this was Greenslade’s second album and indeed their second release of that proggiest of years 1973. It’s now reissued in remastered form as a cd plus dvd set. The original album is well known to prog lovers of course, the band’s innovative groundbreaking sound being dominated by the double keyboard sound of Dave Greenslade and Dave Lawson, and also being notable for the total absence of a lead guitarist. However, the music here is actually more of a hybrid combination of prog and jazz-fusion. Many would argue that its sequel, Spyglass Guest, is the band’s highpoint, but I always preferred this one, albeit by a short head. The album’s original half dozen pieces are already well known, so the main interest in this release is with the extras. The cd contains a previously unreleased Radio One ‘Sounds Of The Seventies’ session recorded in October 1973 and broadcast later that year, comprising excellent takes on three songs from the album, the title track being the highlight. The dvd meanwhile has a recently unearthed Warners promo film featuring Drowning Man, Temple Song and Melange, while the second section features two songs from the OGWT in November ’73 – both parts of the dvd make for really good viewing. The set has a very good booklet too, with rare cuttings, a new essay on the band and exclusive interviews with Messrs Greenslade and Lawson.
What does it all *mean*?
A landmark recording that really broke the band in progressive circles.
Goes well with…
Listening intently, and marvelling at the intricacies of their complex sound.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
If you love prog, you’ll already know and love this!
The instrumental sections are great but the singing…not to much.
Again, the absence of the avuncular announcer from The Goon Show is to be lamented.
I think you’re overstating how good it is. I bought it and was very disappointed. It really isn’t very good at all. The tunes aren’t great, the singer cannot sing. The best thing about it is the sleeve.
Its prog, it’s from 1973 and we’re all old. How dare you not like it?
I didn’t like it in 73 and when I tried it again on Spotify recently it was still useless!
Always liked the title track but nothing else of theirs has done much for me. In old money very much a 2nd division prog outfit. Dave Greenslade peaked with his organ solo on Valentyne Suite