Record Reviews
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  | FIELDS ~ CONTRASTS: URBAN ROAR TO COUNTRY PEACE
ESOTERIC 2488 (Barcode: 5013929458840) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2015
This is the second album by British Prog trio FieldsFind albums by this artist, led by keyboardist Graham FieldFind albums by this artist, which included guitarist / bassist / vocalist Frank FarrellFind albums by this artist (who replaced the original bassist Alan BarryFind albums by this artist) and drummer Andy McCullochFind albums by this artist. The recording of this album was interrupted after the trio was dropped by their label (CBSFind albums on this label Records) and the album was never released at the time. This release includes the eight tracks that the trio managed to record as well as the demos of three additional tracks that were made at the time. Nine of the tracks were written by Field and two were co-written by Field and Farrell.
The music is a wonderful amalgam of melodic songs and Jazzy arrangements, all masterly put together by Field and featuring his superb keyboards playing. This continued the approach Field already displayed as a founding member of the group Rare BirdFind albums by this artist, which he left to form Fields. The music also projected a typical "Englishness", which blissfully ornamented the output by many of the British Prog bands at the time, a quality that is impossible to describe and is only recognized by listeners familiar with the recorded work by these bands.
Sadly Field left the career of songwriting and performing as a Rock musician and British music lost a great composer and very unique keyboards player, who might have contributed many more splendid pieces of music, like those present here. Thankfully this lost gem is finally available for all Prog fans to enjoy, as usual better late than never. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 24/01/2017Posted: 24/01/2017 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | FIELDS ~ FIELDS
ESOTERIC 2207 (Barcode: 5013929730748) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2010
Only album by the short-lived Prog trio FieldsFind albums by this artist formed by keyboardist Graham FieldFind albums by this artist after he left Rare BirdFind albums by this artist, following the recording of their first two albums, with guitarist Alan BarryFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy McCullochFind albums by this artist. Field, who was the main composer in Rare Bird, wrote all the music for this album, which in many respects could be considered as Rare Bird´s 3rd album. The trio had a great rapport between them and the album is really excellent in every respect. Field plays some amazing keyboards and McCulloch was one of the best British drummers at the time, so it´s quite natural that the album really works. In time the album was accepted as a classic of the genre and this new edition is most welcome. A must to all Progheads!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | RARE BIRD ~ AS YOUR MIND FLIES BY
ESOTERIC 2002 (Barcode: 5013929710221) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007
2nd album by excellent British Prog band Rare BirdFind albums by this artist, one of the most unusual and original outfits on the burgeoning scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s. Fronted by two keyboards players Graham FieldsFind albums by this artist (organ) and David KaffinettiFind albums by this artist (electric piano) the group also included bassist / vocalist Steve GouldFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark AshtonFind albums by this artist. Purposely avoiding the sound of guitar, they created a wonderful balance between the two keyboards, exchanging licks and complimenting each other virtuously. Their material was also excellent, often with quirky rhythmic background but not eschewing beautiful ballads. With the second album the band faced the incredible challenge to repeat and perhaps improve the amazing achievement of their debut and they passed the test with flying colors. Completely disregarding any commercial influences, they moved even deeper into Prog and included on the album a lengthy song cycle called "Flight", which occupied the entire B side of the original LP. The music is absolutely stunning and consists of some of the most intriguing stuff recorded at the time. This is a true gem and an essential piece of music, which lost absolutely nothing of its initial impact.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | RARE BIRD ~ RARE BIRD
ESOTERIC 2001 (Barcode: 5013929710122) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2007
1st album by excellent British Prog band Rare BirdFind albums by this artist, one of the most unusual and original outfits on the burgeoning scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s. Fronted by two keyboards players Graham FieldsFind albums by this artist (organ) and David KaffinettiFind albums by this artist (electric piano) the group also included bassist / vocalist Steve GouldFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark AshtonFind albums by this artist. Purposely avoiding the sound of guitar, they created a wonderful balance between the two keyboards, exchanging licks and complimenting each other virtuously. Their material was also excellent, often with quirky rhythmic background but not eschewing beautiful ballads. The eponymous debut album is a beautiful showcase of daring innovation and excellent musical taste, rarely achieved by other groups and remains one of the most stunning debuts ever. It includes the song "Sympathy", one of the greatest and everlasting anthems of British Prog, which enjoyed enormous chart success all over the world in spite of its unusual sound. This is a true gem and an essential piece of music, which lost absolutely nothing of its initial impact.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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