KEYBOARDS TRIANGLE (WITH ARS NOVA)

I'm not sure who came up with the idea to have two Japanese trios cover some songs by bands who were a big influence on them, but it works. They don't play together but rather GERARD covers four tracks and ARS NOVA three songs. GERARD were a keys/bass/drums setup at this point while ARS NOVA were a 2 keys/drums trio here. Both bands were going through changes just prior and after this 1999 release. I have to say checking out these two bands again made me smile. Gotta love that ELP inspired album cover and one alternate cover I saw had one of the ladies on it wearing what looked like a home made sweater of the same picture.

I feel like over a ten to twelve year period I was the ultimate explorer of music leaving no stone unturned resulting in a lot of stories. ARS NOVA obviously believed that sex sells by their skimpy outfits and provocative poses so it's hard to take the seriously until you hear them play. Both bands generate a lot of power on these tunes, I'm just so impressed and it made me think again of the RARE BIRD leader who had no guitarist in his band because he believed his keyboards could provide much nastier sounds bordering on evil. Yes this recording here is a keyboardist's dream with an array of them from these three talented ladies. The mellotron is sampled but adds a lot.

GERARD is up first with of course an ELP cover "Toccata"opening with loud synths and booming drums before it settles in to an uptempo barn burner. Oh my! The organ is screaming at one point. Bombast is the word. They are on fire 3 minutes in but a calm follows quickly. We start to get some punchy and intricate sounds before 5 minutes. Organ is back at 6 1/2 minutes then it's a free for all once again. ARS NOVA covers some TRACE tunes in this medley from their "Birds" record including "Bourree" and "King Bird". There is a guest bass player on this song from a band called TRITON. Same player would guest on one track on ARS NOVA's next studio album after this. Fast paced keys and lots of depth as the bass throbs. The keyboards make me dizzy. The organ is ripping it up before 2 minutes then it all turns classical sounding. Man it becomes so uplifting just before 5 minutes. A powerful ending follows.

GERARD follows with a BANCO cover from "Darwin!" called "La Conquista Della Posizione Eretta". So powerful and dramatic to start and that calm later with mellotron is emotional. A killer track! ARS NOVA not to be outdone covers Italians IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO's "Epilogo" from "YS". Yeah they do! Man I love this track. Keyboards galore and check out that sinister calm after 2 minutes. So good and mellotron! GERARD covers Rick Wakeman's "Catherine Parr" and this is a better version in my opinion. It's actually one of my favourites on here. Active drums, powerful organ and upfront bass to get us started. It kicks into a higher gear rather quickly then we get some beautiful mellotron sounds just before 3 minutes. "Tarkus" by ELP of course is covered by ARS NOVA and check out the mellotron choirs to start. Gulp. There's a great change in direction at 3 minutes but they do shift a lot on this one. An array of keyboards dominate. Hey another RPI tune in "Four Holes In The Ground" by PFM of course and GERARD sounds just like them to start but after that they really have fun with this song.

I have to go 4 stars despite this being an album of cover tunes. It's just unique and a great example of keyboard led bombast.