THE STRAWBS, FROM THE WITCHWOOD

STRAWBS ES SIN DUDA ALGUNA UNA DE LAS BANDAS MÁS QUERIDAS Y APRECIADAS DEL FOLK PROGRESIVO BRITÁNICO. CON UNA LARGUÍSIMA DISCOGRAFÍA A SUS ESPALDAS, MUCHOS DE SUS ÁLBUMES SON IMPRESCINDIBLES EN CUALQUIER BUENA COLECCIÓN. "FROM THE WITCHWOOD" Y "HERO & HEROINE" SON DOS OBRAS MAESTRAS.

One of the better British progressive groups, The STRAWBS were a 60's folk and medieval band turned prog-rock with the help of Dave COUSINS (the heart and soul of this group) and Rick WAKEMAN "master of the keyboards". WAKEMAN is featured on the albums "Strawbs", "Dragonfly", "Just A Collection of...", and "From The Witchwood" before he joined YES. The line-up for the group changed markedly over the years. Their sound has been in a state of constant evolution combining English folk and progressive sounds to form their unique style. Critics seem to have a preference for the STRAWBS in the early Seventies when the group consisted of Tony & John HOOPER, John FORD, Richard HUDSON and keyboard virtuoso Rick WAKEMAN. The group ceased to exist at the end of the 1970s, and COUSINS embarked on some solo projects. STRAWBS would appeal to fans of bands like FAIRPORT CONVENTION, STEELEYE SPAN, PENTANGLE, etc. They have recorded over 15 albums through the years, with various lineups around the core of Dave COUSINS who offered beautiful melodic compositions. Every STRAWBS album between "Witchwood" and "Nomadness" has something unique to offer. A perfect introduction to the sound of The STRAWBS is the compilation-CD "A Choice of Strawbs" (16 tracks). It features all their best material from their most creative and "symphonic" period (between '71 and '74). The music of The STRAWBS frequently ranges from folky (acoustic guitars) and classic (piano and harpsichord) to bombastic, symphonic rock (fiery electric guitar and glorious Mellotron in the vein of BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST and The MOODY BLUES). The vocals are powerful with a lot of expression.

Más información:
Página oficial de The Strawbs • Página de Strawbs en AMG Comprar álbumes de Strawbs

Just for Testing Purposes:
Listen "From the Witchwood" Listen "Hero & Heroine"

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites. ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists. • • • Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre

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STACKRIDGE, THE BEST OF ENGLAND

TRAS CUARENTA AÑOS GRABANDO DISCOS EXCEPCIONALES, DESDE LA PRIMERA HASTA LA ÚLTIMA NOTA, STACKRIDGE SIGUEN SIENDO UNOS PERFECTOS DESCONOCIDOS PARA EL GRAN PÚBLICO, UN GRUPO DE CULTO DEL QUE ES IMPOSIBLE NO QUEDAR PRENDADO.

Todos los artistas o grupos de este mundo, y poco importa su estilo musical, su atmósfera o su procedencia, tienen imitadores, continuadores de su sonido, o se parecen a otros, o toman prestados logros e ideas de otros, etcétera. Precisamente por eso, cuando alguien quiere explicar rápidamente a un amigo cómo suena, por ejemplo, Starcastle, es normal que termine resolviéndolo por la vía fácil: "son como unos Yes a la americana, bastante buenos". Y punto. Y así con todo. Pero no con Stackridge. Con Stackridge rompieron el molde. De ahí que sea tan difícil explicar qué música componen y tocan y cómo suenan. Voy a intentarlo, y no tengo otro método que tirar de comparaciones. Aunque aviso por adelantado que ellos no tienen nada que ver con ningún artista que yo pueda citar, pues son únicos y formidablemente buenos. Tan buenos que cuesta creer que algo tan bueno no haya triunfado a gran escala. Vamos allá. Stackridge son británicos, y eso marca sus voces y su carácter. Voces británicas, perfectas, amantes de la armonía y de la melodía. Digamos que sus voces son tan buenas como las de los Beatles cuando se ponían sublimes. Stackridge tiene una faceta pop muy marcada. En eso son también como los de Liverpool, pero juro que sus composiciones no tienen nada (NADA) que envidiar a las mejores de Lennon/McCartney, a los que reconocen adorar abiertamente. Punto. Stackridge son también un grupo de rock progresivo (sí, has leído bien), que en ocasiones te recordará a Gentle Giant y en otras al sonido Canterbury de Caravan o Hatfield & the North (piensa en la voz de Richard Sinclair). Stackridge también son un grupo de folk rock; marcadamente acústicos, tradicionales, psicodélicos o medievales. Todo depende del tema y del día. Stackridge son también jazzísticos. También están en deuda con la música clásica (Frederick Delius, Stravinsky), y eso se nota en sus arreglos, en la delicadeza de sus adornos. Stackridge son también amantes de la música de music hall o cabaret, de la broma sonora, de la salida ingeniosa, de la melodía añeja, del ritmo antiguo. Añadamos, por tanto, un toque impredecible a lo Monty Python. Para terminar, baste decir que son instrumentistas extraordinarios. Cuando construyen una pieza instrumental logran dejar a todo el mundo boquiabierto. Ah, sí: las letras son deliciosas, divertidas, llenas de ingenio. Les gusta contar historias. Y lo hacen de maravilla. Termino. Ya termino. Queda la atmósfera: son vitales, optimistas, frescos, románticos, épicos. Buen humor garantizado de principio a fin. Ni una sola de sus canciones, ni una sola, es inferior al resto. Así que debes escucharlos. Y luego, cuando lo hayas hecho, vuelve y contesta a mi maldita pregunta: ¿cómo es posible que el mundo no sepa de la existencia de algo así? Los caminos de Dios son inexcrutables. Seguramente los reservó en vistas a amenizar las largas y perezosas tardes en el paraíso. No te los pierdas, sería el mayor error de tu vida. Empieza, si no sabes por dónde, con "Friendliness". Y compra sus discos. El grupo sigue en activo y se merece todo el apoyo y el afecto del público.

Más información:
Página oficial de Stackridge • Página de Stackridge en All Music • Página de Stackridge en Prog Archives • Comprar discos de Stackridge

For Testing Purposes only
Listen "Stackridge" • Listen "The Man In The Bowler Hat" • Listen "Friendliness" • Listen "Mr. Mick"

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites (eloidodeantes) (proginblog) ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists. • • • Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre

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MAGNA CARTA, MUSIC FOR ALL SEASONS

BRIEFLY AND IN CAPITAL LETTERS: MAGNA CARTA WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ACOUSTIC BAND OF THE SEVENTIES. PERIOD.

Los álbumes grabados por Magna Carta durante la década de los setenta merecen estar en la vitrina de los grandes tesoros. Ningún otro grupo acústico puede hacerles la más mínima sombra, pues ellos son la máxima referencia del género. Delicados y exquisitos, sus discos son compañeros de por vida. En ese extraño viaje, se puede prescindir de muchas cosas, pero jamás de Magna Carta.

MAGNA CARTA is an English 'folk' band, formed in 1969 in London by Chris Simpson, Lyell Tranter, and Glen Stuart. They were part of the early progressive wave, but without really fully stepping into the progressive realm. Magna Carta's music is largely inspired and influenced by the folk of Simon & Garfunkel, focussing on soft and gentle acoustic music, often with a traditional feel, augmented with orchestral arangements and good vocal harmonies. Influences and similar artist include the already mentioned Simon & garfunkel, Fairport Convention, Kevin Ayers, Moody Blues, Amazing Blondel, Caravan, Al Stewart, the softer folk/singer songwriter genre and Canterbury genre. ••• MAGNA CARTA has gone through numerous personel changes over the years, with the only constant factor being Chris Simpson. Most notable members include Glen Stuart, an amazing vocalist with a great range, Lyell Tranter, who soon departed for Australia to be replaced by Davey johnstone on guitars (left Magna Carta to join Elton John as long time band member), and Linda Taylor who would later merry Chris Simpson. ••• Between 1969 and 1975 MAGNA CARTA made some wonderfull albums, with the beautifull "Seasons' and 'Lord Of The Ages' as absolute highlights. Also the live album "In Concert" recorded in 1971 in Amsterdam is not to be missed. With the leaving of Glen Stuart the magical beauty was lost, and for a while the band seemed to fall apart. Chris Simpson however managed to keep the band alive and MAGNA CARTA continoud making nice highly enjoyable music. ••• In 1983 Chris met Linda Taylor and they continued mostly as a duo keeping the MAGNA CARTA name alive. Studio albums became rare, but rereleases of studio albums, and new live recordings kept them performing throughout Europe until today. ••• Text by Prog Archives.

More information:
• Página oficial de Magna Carta • Página de Magna Carta en All Music • Comprar álbumes de Magna Carta
Just for Testing Purposes:
• Listen part one and Listen part two "Magna Carta" • Listen "Songs from Wasties Orchard" • Listen "Seasons" • Listen "Lord of the Ages" • Listen "Magna Carta Live in Concert" • Listen "Martin´s Cafe"

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites (Oldrock-Dillingerr) (Masterpiece) (Avax) ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists. • • • Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre

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JOYAS DE COLECCIÓN (III) PETE DELLO & FRIENDS • INTO YOUR EARS

"INTO YOUR EARS", UN ÁLBUM GRABADO EN 1971 POR PETE DELLO –FUNDADOR DEL GRUPO BRITÁNICO HONEYBUS– ES UNA JOYA SONORA; UNA COLECCIÓN DE CANCIONES CONSTRUIDAS SOBRE EL FOLK, EL POP DE ARREGLO BARROCO Y LA SIMPLICIDAD ACÚSTICA QUE ROZA LA PERFECCIÓN ABSOLUTA.

Referencias: pop psicodélico de factura exquisita y arreglos clásicos; armonías vocales perfectas; sonido limpio y cristalino. En la mejor tradición Beatles, Hollies, Kinks. Un diez sobre diez.

Pete Dello was the original leader of the Honeybus, a short-lived but wonderful English baroque-pop group who only managed to release one album in 1970 (finally reissued in 2008). For all the gems available on compilations like "Honeybus At Their Best" and "She Flies Like A Bird: The Anthology", fans of their brand of summery, rootsy pop couldn’t be truly satisfied without an ear on Dello’s fine solo efforts.

Comparisons to the Beatles are somewhat unavoidable, from the next-level songwriting to the double-tracked voice, chamber orchestra production, but assertions of cheap imitation are unacceptable. Dello’s album is a pretty mix, most songs led with a clean acoustic guitar or piano, flavoring the sound with modest string and brass sections. This is where the record gets its baroque tag, but at times the music, like Honeybus, approaches a country-folk-rock sound. Tracks like I’m A Gambler illustrate that perfect mix of rural rock and sunshine pop, blessed with some especially tasteful percussion. The trick to the record’s charm may be the Nilsson inspired vocal treatments, either Dello’s unassuming lead or the lilting vocal turns and harmony parts.

I wouldn’t call it a perfect record, but it gets pretty close and grows to be very solid. Pete scored with his first Honeybus single, I Can’t Let Maggie Go, and gets a chance at a full showcase with Into Your Ears. Only a couple tracks push the British camp too much for my ears, so take note if you’re fond of skipping sillier tracks. If you’re looking for gems, you’ll be right on target.

Más información:

• Página de Pete Dello en All Music • Página de Honeybus y Pete Dello • Comprar "Into Your Ears"

Just for Testing Purposes:

Listen "Into Your Ears"

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites (LAJSO SOUND) ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists. • Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre

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AMAZING BLONDEL, BELLEZA BRITÁNICA

DELICADOS Y PRECIOSISTAS, EMPEÑADOS EN LA PERFECCIÓN, DOTADOS DE UNAS VOCES ÚNICAS, INSTRUMENTISTAS CONSUMADOS, AMAZING BLONDEL SON, JUNTO A STEELEYE SPAN, LO MEJOR DEL FOLK TRADICIONAL BRITÁNICO. SU MÚSICA ES COMO UNA ACUARELA DE TURNER O COMO UN PASEO POR LA CAMPIÑA INGLESA CUANDO LA PRIMAVERA ESTRENA VESTIDO NUEVO. SENCILLAMENTE EXCEPCIONALES.

AMAZING BLONDEL existed throughout the early seventies. Originally formed by John David GLADWIN, Terry WINCOTT and Eddie BAIRD after leaving another even more obscure band called METHUSELAH. For these three, the band was essentially a three piece singing and playing krumhorns, recorders, lute, theorbo, guitars, dulcimers, flute, piano, harpsichord, mellotron, organ, tabor, cittern tubular, bells, glockenspiel and percussion. English mostly acoustic 1969-76. Middle-age renaissance guitar, organ and other instruments, multipart harmony vocals, etc., bordering on the prog movement in England at the time. The musicians had earlier played rock and thus the music cannot be termed classical either. Among lots of famous guest musicians can be named Boz Burrell, Eddie Jobson, Steve Winwood and Mel Collins.
"The Amazing Bondel" was a collection of soft acoustic rock numbers that included one medieval-styled song that seemed to go over better than anything else, and that was the direction they aimed for in their future releases. "Evensong" is a folk album that harked back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Madrigals and ballads performed on period instruments became their specialty and the trio's creative ideas led to the concept album "Fantasia Lindum", which belongs more to progressive-rock than to folk-rock. "England" used the same technique to craft elegant, lushly-arranged pop songs. GLADWIN left and the surviving duo veered towards STEELEYE SPAN's hard-folk with "Blondel", entirely composed by BAIRD, "Mulgrave Street", "Inspiration", "Bad Dreams". The band reunited 21 years later for "Restoration" (1997), an album which harkens back to their halcon days.
Their third and fourth albums "Fantasia Lindum" and "England" represent the most musically sophisticated of the material, which any progressive fan without an aversion to folk music should have no trouble enjoying. Most fans of early GRYPHON, JETHRO TULL, FAIRPORT, and other British folk rock will be delighted with this band. • TEXT by PROG ARCHIVES

Más información
Página oficial de Amazing Blondel • Página Fantasia Lindum de Amazing Blondel • Más información en All Music • Comprar álbumes de Amazing Blondel

Just for Testing Purposes
• Listen "Evensong" (1971) • Listen "Fantasia Lindum (1972) • Listen "England" (1972) • Listen "Blondel" (1973) • Listen "A Foreign Field That Is Forever England (Live Abroad 1972-73)" (1996) • Listen "Restoration" (1997)

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites (velhorockeiro.blogspot.com • diariopocometodico.blogspot.com • ramblersplace.blogspot.com). ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists.

Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre.

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GRYPHON, MIDDLE AGE PROG

UN MARAVILLOSO GRUPO DE FOLK PROGRESIVO, A MEDIO CAMINO DE LAS BELLÍSIMAS ARMONÍAS VOCALES DE AMAZING BLONDEL Y LA CONCEPCIÓN VANGUARDISTA DE GENTLE GIANT. "RED QUEEN TO GRYPHON THREE" ES UNA JOYA IMPRESCINDIBLE EN CUALQUIER COLECCIÓN.

GRYPHON was founded in 1973 by Richard HARVEY (recorder, keys) and Brian GULLAND (bassoon, krumhorn) after a stint at the Royal Acadamy of Music. They shared a vision of blending traditional English folk, Baroque instrumentation and Renaissance music in a modern format. The compositions resemble those of Gentle Giant but give greater emphasis to the authentic textures and sounds of the Renaissance period. Harvey and Gulland were joined in 1973 by Graeme TAYLOR on guitar and singer/percussionist David OBERLE for their all-acoustic first album 'Gryphon'. Bassist Philip NESTOR was added to the line up in 1974 for their second effort 'Midnight Mushrumps', which featured an increased number of original compositions and leanings in a rock direction. Later that year their classic 'Red Queen to Gryphon Three' was released and has become a prog rock staple with its longer, somewhat more symphonic arrangements and courtly instrumental rock. The mid-1970s brought big changes to the band with new bass player Malcom BENNET taking over for Nestor. In 1977, guitarist Graeme Taylor left to be replaced by Bob FOSTER, bassist Jonathan DAVIE replaced Bennett, and Oberle switched to lead voice with Alex BAIRED taking over on drums. Tim SEBASTIAN was also brought in as a lyricist to complete the ever-growing unit. 'Raindance' was released in 1975 and 'Treason' in '77, establishing GRYPHON as a top-notch prog rock act. With a seamless fusion of British folk and medieval rock, GRYPHON developed a strong sound all their own and a loyal following.
Text by Atavachron (David) from Progarchives

Más información
Más información en All Music • Comprar discos de Gryphon

Just for Testing Purposes
Listen "Gryphon" (1973) • Listen "Red Queen to Gryphon Three"
(Bitrate: 320 • Japan Mini LP Art Rock Series)
JPN Mini LP covers with OBI here and here

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites. ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists.

Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre.

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