ENGLAND

The one thing I get on my mind by listening to this England of the Amazing Blondel is a movie showing bees and butterflies and great harmonie. Everone is smiling and dancing on the road. Animals live together with men in some kind of supersweet paradise full of beautiful flowers and trees.

I don't like this supersweetness. In fact, after the first two songs it realy starts irritating me and I want to stop listening. Just in case of reviewing this record, I forced myself to listen it at least two times, but I find this quiet challenging. The instrumental part is not interesting for me. Okey, this is a combination of rock and some orchestric, classical music, but I cannot place this music in a progressive context. The songs are not complex in structure or progression. The melodies are far too easy and the vocals are all so optimistic and happy sounding that it keeps annoying me.

The main instrument besides the (background) orchestra and strings is the flute. Don't expect any virtuosity here. This is no Ian Anderson playing the flute.

The first good song on the record starts in side two- song three. This is a string arrangement without vocals, which is the first progressive song. The good thing about this song is it's neutral sound and the absence of vocals. The last song is also quiet good and is also without vocals.

Sweet, sweet, sweet. I do NOT recommend this to prog-listeners and even to folk-fans - as I am myself. This kind of sweetness is not comparible with Steeleye Span e.a. This is hardcore sweetness.