ALCHEMY

A lot of progressive bands that pursue very various forms and the music characters exist in all over the world. Construction and the revolution of music with diversity to say nothing of the band classified into the item of a progressive band might have been done in the age. Act of exactly reflecting element based on advanced view and philosophically in music for band and musician who pursues progressive music. Realization exactly for music that can be called progressive. It is not an exaggeration to say that the band that concretely reflects thought and the expression that exists in the place where the category of music was exceeded in the fullest sense in music is this Third Ear Band and the realization of thought to have to express in this album that they announced at the same time might be involved therefore.

Methodology of thought and expression reflected for music character at which Third Ear Band aimed. Music to express in this debut album is called and Glen Sweeney that plays the role of the leader of this band is said, "The music of Third Ear Band is an echo of space". It is one space expressed in the name that is exactly called Third Ear Band and a part of the establishment of thought. And, it will be able to be guessed that it is concretely shown by "Alchemy" that is the concept of this album.

Glen Sweeney who is the institutor of Third Ear Band plays the role to the music character as a percussionist. It is said that Glen Sweeney was performed with helper's role it participates in the activity of the music that Terry Riley did. And, it had details to be on the register in the group of Free Jazz in the middle of the 60's. And, it comes to take an active part in the band that is called "The Giant Sun Trolley" at the time of 1967. Active bands were bands such as Pink Floyd and Soft Machine in Scene of music in London at that time. It was one of the existence where The Giant Sun Trolley was put in the situation in the UFO club of London that had been used as a base of the activity of music. The member of the band will change places before long. Dave Tomlin of the Violin player who is related to the creation of their music leaves the band in 1967. And, the name of the band shifts to the band that is called "The Hydrogen Jukebox". However, it is said that the event suffering from damage from which machine parts is stolen happened them in live. The change in this form becomes the nucleus of this Third Ear Band.

Glen Sweeney has directionality to take an avant-garde element and the sound to thought that has it to pursue the music character at which the self aims further. The music character of Third Ear Band comes to have Blackhill Enterprises and relations known by the management of Pink Floyd. Third Ear Band exchanges the contract with Harvest from the flow of the relation.

The recording is done in Abbey Road Studios as for this album at the end of the year of 1968. The band has seceded after the recording though Cello player's Mel Davis participated in the recording. And, it might be a point to have to make a special mention of the participation of John Peel known the DJ's working as the player of Jaws Harp. It is said that time when the album is announced is July, 1968. The theory said the announcement in May, 1968 exists according to a certain theory, too.

Third Ear Band has participated in the work that is called "Standard Music Library" because of Ron Geesin known on business of Pink Floyd before the recording of this album is recorded as a supplementation. At that time, the band has the theory said that it had appointed the name that is called "National-Balkan Ensemble". And, Glen Sweeney that plays band leader's role also has the career said that it performed to forward's play by "Yoko Ono" with his wife at this time.

"Alchemy" has been appointed to this album as a concept. Alchemy is exactly an idea assumed to be the base in the field of the chemistry. The start of the chemistry originates the edge in the belief as can construction in "Precious metals" by repeatedly processing "Base metal". The picture drawn in front of this album might realistically indeed show alchemy. The symbolical pattern that is called "Egg of the philosophy" is drawn in Front Cover. And, "Sun" and "Moon" are drawn in Back Cover. The part of "Larks'Tongues In Aspic" of King Crimson in which exactly the same thought is reflected might be able to be caught repeatedly. A technical element of music and the sound of musical instruments will be only the secondary expressions when the music character of this band is considered. They are exactly expressing one thought and a philosophical part in music in this album. The methodology concerning the expression informs the listener of progressive existence in a true meaning. The repetition of the melody repeated with musical instruments means the act of alchemy.

"Mosaic" Construction and repetition of sound with tension with stringed instrument. The melody of Oboe flows in the space attended with an experimental element. Part of repetition with fast and slow of Cello. And, the sound of the percussion instrument that Glen Sweeney repeats completely decides the theme of this album. The construction of the melody in close relation to irregularity offers the element of the refinement.

The melody of the stringed instrument and Oboe sounds beautifully in "Ghetto Raga". The taste of the music of the Middle East is elegantly expressed. This is not music for the environment. It will be able to be called complete Prog Rock with which their thought is blocked. The performance combines according to the rhythm that the percussion instrument produces. Repetition of sound of upper register of Violin and Cello. Or, the melody of Oboe might emphasize the part of the melody a little. The part as Indo Prog has gone out strongly. Oboe and Violin part coming in succession. Ensemble of the band might consist on thought. The melody repeated as much as possible is one in complete. The tune opens the power gradually involved and advances.

"Druid One" intersects the melody that there is a tension in a steady rhythm and advances. The melody of Oboe creates one space. The listener is invited to the place where the frame of music was exceeded by the sound that the stringed instrument produces though the repetition of the percussion instrument gives an enchantment impression. A composition advanced as a little experimental part and an avant-garde element twine might be steady.

As for "Stone Circle", their tastes might be exactly demonstrated. The sound of Oboe and Slide Pipe comfortably twines round the repeated rhythm. The culture and the thought of the Middle East are reflected well for the melody. The repetition is alchemy. The composition in which the chamber orchestra is reminiscent is a little splendid as atmosphere each other.

"Egyptian Book Of The Dead" has the melody with gloss in close relation to the sound of the decoration that flows quietly. The technology of the performance ..one of the expressions.. doesn't pass. The performance to make the name of a song converted into music exactly and to make it make to the embodiment might be along the theme of this album. Melody with strong experimental part. And, rhythmically of the percussion instrument consistently repeated. The tune increases the repetition and the melody that the stringed instrument does and the tension is increased repeatedly. The part of Oboe also contributes to the tune.

"Area Three" is a part of the melody that gives the impression of the refinement. And, rhythmically of the percussion instrument that shifts to a part steady from an intermittent part. The repetition of the stringed instrument continues. Width is given to the atmosphere of the tune by adding the thickness to the sound of the percussion instrument. The melody that repeats stability and instability decides the music character that they create. Especially, the theme and the reflected thought might be remarkably expressed in this album.

The band advances in "Dragon Lines" completely in union. Flow of repetition by Violin and Cello. And, the sound of a rhythm of the percussion instrument that expands the width of the tune and an effective decoration flows. Construction of sound in which Oboe and deep bass are effectively shown. They consistently make a good flow. Opening of rising emotion gradually. And, it progresses while making an element of the Middle East and an experimental part act well.

"Lark Rise" completely demonstrates the taste of Indo-Prog. The performance to construct a complete melody and the rhythm is refined. It is a tune on which the theme of this album and their performances have exactly acted well. And, the repetition means alchemy as a result.

Part of opening to expression of thought that has already been constructed with debut album that they announced and music character. And, the cosmogony to express consistently. There might have been a flow with a little experimental shade of meaning when the age was considered as a situation, too. However, if the band and the album that can be called progressive in a true meaning when the theme on which they worked and the music character are considered are taken up, it is likely to be consolidated in their debut albums. The performances of men who worked on a grand theme are here.