VALLEY OF SADNESS

I haven't listened to Aphrodite's Child's debut album End of the World (1968) from start to end, but this third single surely must represent the weaker parts of it. The sugary but charming 'Rain and Tears' deserved its hit status and the dramatic title song is also fairly impressive.

For a certain outdated sweetness, 'Valley of Sadness' is closer to the first mentioned, but the elegant Baroque flavour (the harpsichord is heard here too) is often buried beneath a cruel psych-rock loudness, and especially the electric guitar played by vocalist Demis Roussos is almost painful to my ears. The song is more progressive and dynamic than 'Rain and Tears', but in a rather disjointed way. Frankly I don't like it.

'Mister Thomas' was also taken from the album. Apart from the rollicking chorus, Roussos does not sing but narrates a story in an irritating style. 'The Story of a Hare Who Lost His Spectacles' in Jethro Tull's A Passion Play is very delightful and entertaining compared to this! Vangelis plays organ and harpsichord below his usual standards, and Lucas Sideras joins on drums only for the choruses. To be honest, a terrible piece of humour music.

Another version of Valley of Sadness single contains 'Funky Mary', a poor track from AC's second album It's Five O'Clock (1969). it has a cool vibe solo but otherwise it sounds like a basement demo of a band having fun with a half- finished song.

Because I don't enjoy any of these songs and they are all album tracks, I can give two stars at maximum, if not just one. I'm on a generous mood and give the other star for the risk-taking playfulness.