SHINE ON BRIGHTLY

I guess I was one of those weird guys in the late 70's who liked Starcastle - a somewhat obscure prog rock band from Illinois in the style of Yes, ELP and Styx (in that order). I bought (and still possess on vinyl) all four of their studio albums. So when I recently saw this live cd at the record store, I thought this would be a nice way to complete my Starcastle collection. Beware....

First of all, this is the same recording as "Concert Classics, Vol. 5" and an earlier Japanese release on the Welcome label titled "Fountains". Secondly, according to the band's own website, this release was never authorized by the band. Thirdly, the recording is sub-par, the mix could be better, and there is very audible tape flutter in two or three spots.

And to top things off, the liner notes claim this recording is from a concert on August 12, 1979 in Boston MA, to promote the "Citadel" cd. Well, this is clearly a post-Citadel concert, judging from the number of songs from that cd that dominate this one. But Citadel came out in late 1977, and Starcastle was already recording their next cd ("Reel to Real") during the late spring of 1978 to release that cd later the same year. Plus, Terry Luttrell and Herb Schildt left the band in late 1978. There was no Starcastle concert in Boston in 1979!

Oh well, the concert probably took place during the Fall of 1977 or that following Winter. I will say that the band sounds tight! The playing is meticulous and very true to the studio versions. Highlights for me are "Forces" and "Lady of the Lake" from their first album. I thought that "Can't Think Twice" and "Could This Be Love" were two of the weaker songs on "Citadel", so I didn't need to hear them performed live. And the only new song here, "Breath and Thunder", goes a bit overboard on the electronics, and short on melody. This cd is for Starcastle completists only.

Other Starcastle info: Recorded during 1975, Starcastle's eponymous first cd is a classic 5-star prog delight: bright, mystical, crystal clear; Emerson/Wakeman keys; thick Chris Squire-like bass lines; Wishbone Ash-like dual guitars; Yes-like vocals, harmonies and lyrics. "Lady of the Lake" is their flagship song - just superb. And the marching, arching bass lick that drives "Elliptical Seasons" is one of the very best bass guitar lines ever laid down. E-V-E-R! Think Yes's "Siberian Khatru" and "Awaken" when you consider this album's overall style.

Recorded during 1976, "Fountains of Light" lost some of the rawer edge of their first cd. Prettier keyboards and bass dominated; guitars were lighter and mixed down. But this is still a 4-star album with great songwriting and musicianship. Their late 1977 release, "Citadel", brought back a better balance of guitars and synths, but shorter, poppier songs were becoming the standard. Still a pretty good cd (3-1/2 stars). They should have stopped there...

The cover to 1978's "Reel to Real" foretold its contents as it featured black and white photographs of the band members in open shirts (or NO shirts!). The sound was stripped down - very little for the keyboard lover here, and the guitars were upfront and rocking. Coincidentally, the sound is very close to REO Speedwagon (Yikes! I know), for whom Terry Luttrell sang initially. It actually is a very good AOR cd, played and sung well - it was just a disappointment to us prog lovers of the band.

O.K., I must end this longest of my reviews! Prog heads, be sure to purchase AT LEAST the first two cd's of Starcastle - you'll be pleasantly surprised! For Starcastle fans who already have the first three cd's, you can skip the live "Shine on Brightly", as well as 1978's "Studcastle"...er, I mean "Reel to Real". ;-)