Record Reviews

HENRY COW ~ CONCERTS RER HC5/6 (Barcode: 752725022521) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2006 This magnificent and legendary album is a true document of an era and a glimpse at the process of musical groundbreaking. Henry Cow’s visionary music and musical ideology was of course aeons ahead of their time and influenced (in fact influences to this very day) generations of musicians. At the time these recording were made, Henry Cow were an obscure band, unwanted by their record label (Virgin), which was the cause of this music being released as a double LP on a tiny Norwegian label (Compendium). The vinyl album turned almost immediately into a collectors’ item and with time became a Holy Grail of every serious Prog collector (priced accordingly). The fact that the music, although composed, is predominantly improvised, makes it so innovative and fascinating. Although early traces of improvisation in rock were already present since the late 1960s (mostly by musicians, who had some jazz background), the unique combined talents of Henry Cow members managed to give birth to a whole new genre of music, which later was christened as RIO. Improvised rock, with heavy traces of jazz and contemporary classical music is about as close a description as one might think of, but of course words are hardly adequate when describing music, especially music is this caliber. Today the music contained on these two pieces of plastic belongs to the canon of modern music and any person, who considers himself a music connoisseur, can not afford to have this album missing in his collection.

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend