SEASONS

Seasons represents one of Magna Carta's top three albums.If only for side one with the " Season Suite' taking up the whole of the vinyl side in one event. Two key factors to Magna Carta's brand of folkish prog music are Chris Simpson, the creative force behind the group and also Glen Stuart whose blend of vocals with Chris Simpson helped create that trademark sound and harmonized vocal sounds. Compared to Simon and Garfunkel they are,I think the main reason being Chris Simpson's wispy sounding voice being similar to that of Art Garfunkel more than Paul Simon.They are quite similar sounding to an american duo from the 70's called Aztec Two Step.

The "Season suite" has a great pastoral feel starting off with the Winter Song, with poetic narration from Chris Simpson through to the Autumn song with the combined vocals of Simpson and Stuart throughout. Light folk in parts two but undeniably a concept piece with some great guitar, mainly accoustic. The second side seems to be more of a haphazard affair with a few shiningg songs like ' Give Me No Goodbye' and the closer ' Airport Song'. It is great to see that Tim Fenwick of Pink Floyd fame played recorder not to mention contributions from Davey Johnstone, the infamous Tony Visconti and last but not least a Mr. Rick Wakeman. Recommended to those people who like Steelye Span, Fairport Convention, Aztec two Step and Simon and Garfunkel.