PLATEAU

Robert Connolly has just been added to the site here, and I enjoyed the first review that went up a day or two ago. And I agree that it is about time. I remember buying this pirate cd from Greg Walker probably 15 years ago or so. This album was released in 1978 but never re-issued. The cd I have is from that infamous label Tachika Records. So they ripped it from the vinyl and thankfully they did include that 8 page comic book that has over 30 scenes in. A sci-fi story that is very well illustrated.

I've read that the Sam The Record Man music store here in Canada used to post this album in their front window display cases. Helping the locals. I may have even seen that on my first visit to Sam's store on Yonge street in Toronto back in the late seventies. Right out of high school Connolly decided he was going to be a professional musician. Clearly he had the financial backing I believe from his parents, as he owned all this keyboard equipment like mellotron, mini moog, organ, piano, synth bass, string ensemble, and on top of that he owned his own studio. The man played guitar and bass as well. And his hair! Gino Vannelli anyone?

Well, his first band called PLATEAU recorded some music but despite some tireless efforts from Robert to get a label to sign them, none were interested in this kind of music at that time. So Robert decides to break the band up and go solo. We get about a 35 minute album here with side two of the vinyl being the music already recorded by PLATEAU and used with his former members permission. Same with the title of this record. So a five piece band on side two, while side one is just Robert, a drummer, and two female singers, and that's it. So Connolly is playing bass and guitar on side one, while he sticks to his keyboards on side two.

Apparently Robert was a bit of an expert when it comes to the Nazca lines in Peru, and also of the opinion that aliens must have paid us a visit. Check out that album cover. So yes the opener "Plains Of Nasca" has that in mind. Opening with narration the organ and drums take over quickly thankfully. A catchy organ led sound is the result. Many mention ELP with the organ's power and dominance here. There's some soulful female vocals along with guitar and spacey sounds as well. "A Close Encounter" is different, almost folky, with female vocals singing in a reserved manner with strummed acoustic guitar, not a fan. This feels out of place and we do get some moog and organ later.

More narration on "Power Of Giza" but this is a catchy organ/drum sound. "Battle Of Gomorrah" is the closer from side one and Robert does use some Biblical references, maybe to make this sound legit. Not big on this one either, thinking maybe "Dance Of Gomorrah" would have been the better title. Side two in my opinion is better. More of a band sound here. And the drummer on this side actually played with a local Hamilton band called DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND, a name I've heard countless times on the radio back in the day announcing their live dates in Toronto. Never heard their music but Dan Aykroyd was a friend of that band's leader Don Walsh and got them to do some songs for The Blues Brothers. Even Daniel Lanois adds backing vocals to their final record.

Side two features the over 14 minute "Journey" and the short and uptempo "The Oracle". Nice to hear bass on this side and the flute on that long track. And the guitar is in play more. So while I feel that it's about time I can put this cd to bed now, I also feel that there was some of that "What could have been" if this was released five years earlier. Connolly should be proud. A talented guy who also was also an author, journalist and film producer.