SONG OF THE MARCHING CHILDREN

This is one of the classics of Dutch symphonic rock. With its huge orchestral mellotron parts, the full Gibson Les Paul sound of the guitar and the astonishing vocals of female singer Jerney Kaagman, "Song Of The Marching Children" is certainly one of the most symphonic albums in history. Along with albums like "In the court of the Crimson King" and P.F.M.'s "Storia Di Un Minuto", this album contains the strange, but captivating magic , that caracterized the great symphonic albums of the late sixties and early seventies. The album consists of 4 shorter songs and one long concept suite, originally covering the B-side of the album. Songs like "Carnaval of the Animals" and "Ebbtide" can be considered a bit as appetizers for what has yet to come, while "Storm and Thunder" is probably the best symphonic rock single ever. Jerney's high pitched and tightly sung vocals go straight to the heart, while the song concludes in an orgy of Mellotron and Les Paul guitar soloing by the brothers Gerard & Chris Koerts. "In the mountains" is an instrumental, based on the melodic guitar soloing by Chris Koerts, displaying all effect pedals available in the early seventies. Title piece "Song Of The Marching Children" is a suite of nostalgic and sombre sounding symphonic pieces, ending in a solemn procession march. The atmosphere is gothic and will most likely appeal to lovers of darm metal & gothic metalas well. The vocals are here alternatively sung by Jerney and guitarist Chris Koerts. It is certainly one of the most symphonic suites ever and everyone who has a weak spot for the nostalgic and mysterious sound of the mellotron will be dragged along. The massive mellotron/Les Paul sound is alternated by some beautiful acoustic guitar & flute parts. This is truly an early seventies'classic and I think it should be in the collection of everyone who wants to understand the musical atmosphere of that interesting period.

Erik de Beer.