And thus my little trip down Vertigo Swirl memory lane concludes with this gem. Being late to the swirlie game as I was, when I first heard this in 2008 I was really impressed. $150 seemed a bit steep at the time, but considering what it sells for just five years later ($995!?) that was a bargain.
Thus spake the swirlie website:
“Another fine progressive album from Vertigo. At this stage they seem to have the knack of signing adventurous bands that do not sound much like anyone else, while still keeping the prog flag high. Some sounds akin to King Crimson make their appearance (there are worse examples, of course), but the melodies are fresh and the instrumentation (like harpsichord and tympani) shows classical preferences, without imitating classical music. The overall sound maybe somewhat rusty at times and some themes are stretched a bit thin, but profuse washes of mellotron make up for this. The ”fugue” actually isn’t really one…
“The cover is structured with an avalanche of small dots in different sizes (see above scan), almost conveying the impression of reptile skin to the touch. The exclamation mark is perhaps over-evident, but at least it is nice to hold the cover in your bare hands, due to the tactile experience it gives off. The lettering is as neutral as you can get it and therefore nothing to bother about at all. The inside is a collage that is probably meant to combine pop-art and psychedelics, but it’s too cheap to convince. More Keef, please and less Teenburger! A cassette release in Britain has been confirmed, the catalogue number is 7138 010.
“Notes: This was released in the U.S.A.on Capitol (ST 602) in 1970. Some copies have the matrix of side B ending in 1 2 2 and the wording ”Marty” after the initial digits in the run-off groove.”
Gracious
Gracious
(Vertigo, 1970)
MediaFire DL Link
01. Introduction [MP3]
02. Heaven
03. Hell
04. Fugue In D-Minor
05. The Dream
