CAROL OF HARVEST

CAROL OF HARVEST were a five piece band out of Germany who released this one album in 1978, then after a few gigs disappeared. The drummer recalls "We were influenced by CAMEL, GENESIS, PINK FLOYD... but we made our own style, developed in our own feelings and influences... we didn't care about musical trends at the time. We just tried to express our feelings and emotions in our own musical way." And no I don't hear these bands in their sound.

And while this is a Folk album for sure, the use of moog, electric guitar solos and upfront bass is the draw for me here. Oh, and of course the beautiful vocals of a then 16 year old Beate Krause. She has such a pure voice singing in flawless English. We get five tracks worth around 39 minutes. I originally spent time with this almost 5 years ago. And after a couple of spins I could tell this had quality written all over it, but it wasn't until after 6 listens or so that I started to love every song.

My favourite is "Somewhere At The End Of The Rainbow" smack dab in the middle. It was the first track to really move me. The lyrics throughout are so well done. And what a way to open the album with the 16 minute "Put On Your Nightcap".

This will no doubt be on my "best of" Folk and related list when I do it. One of the best Folk albums that I have heard.