ACT ONE

The first album of Scottish band Beggar's Opera, released in 1970, is one of many attempts, typical of that period, of mixing rock and classical music. "Act One" contains all the exaggerations typical of baroque rock. References to classical music are continuous, even more than in other bands known for the same approach to music, such as Nice, Procol Harum or ELP. We can find in this record classical themes by Rossini (William Tell), Grieg (Peer Gynt), Mozart (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik), Sibelius (Karelia Suite) etc. In addition, all the interpretations of these masterworks are played coldly, performed without any passion, apparently for the sole purpose of following the trends of those years, following the path opened by the Nice.

Apart from the fun of finding the classical references, there is little else, really. The best track is the brief Memory where at least the constant references to classical music are temporarily abandoned for the sake of melody . The solo parts are almost always handled by the organ of Alan Park (the organ is virtually omnipresent ... and ultimately boring) and the short vocal parts do not excite me.

As mentioned above, the music is also very influenced by Nice. Raymond Road seems a continuation of "Rondo": the rhythm is virtually identical. This song including also "Intermezzo From Karelia Suite", already recorded by Nice in "Ars Longa Vita Brevis".

Heard today, "Act One" is a hard aged badly. If you are not a fan of the band, avoid it. Rating: 2/10.

2 stars.

Best song: Memory

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