TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

In my opinion this is one of THE greatest albums ever released.Had it been issued as say a Pink Floyd or Yes album then everybody would be raving about it.But unfortunately because it was released with little promotion by a then obscure artist it hasn't received anything like the credit it deserves.Everything about this album is excellent.The production on the original record was amazing ,and the additional instruments and re-mixing on the c.d.version enhance the project.The performances by the guest artists are all superb, in particular John Miles (The Cask Of Amontillado),Arthur Brown(The Tell- Tale Heart)David Paton(Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether)and my favorite track on the album ,Terry Sylvester on (To One in Paradise).The opening track (A Dream within a dream) begins with an atmospheric minor chord sequence gradually building up then emerging into The Raven,with its eary vocoder effect.The first time you hear this you're in another world.As the tracks unfold into different musical directions you get the same feeling as say Sgt Pepper or Pet Sounds so far as it takes you totally somewhere else.The first side of the record version ends with a short instrumental montage' of the earlier tracks.Then comes side two- The Fall of the House of usher,wow! If the first side had a few surprises then what about this! This piece runs through many movements ranging from the most beautiful melodies to something out of a horror film.The score by Andrew Powell is fantastic and the integration between the orchestra and the rock musicians is wonderful.The track ends with an absolute demolition of sound.Just when you think its safe to come out of the water. Boom they're off again,only this time the carnage melts into the superb To One In Paradise.I could go on and on about this album, for me its an absolute gem so if you havent checked it out already then believe me you need to.