ARDOUR

This Album is The Best Ever American Propgressive Music, challenged only by its follow up album "Open Up" and sadly last offering from Wil Sharpe and Friends. ironically, This is filled with quite The English Inspiration side of Prog, formed by all of the usual suspects. But the main Sound here is King Crimsonesque, Some Camel, and a wacky Gentle Giant approach, especially with The Spirit Of Music and its quite funny sound scapes, courtesy of Mini Moog. The opening of this album has possibly the finest Mini Moog solo I've heard ever in my life. The use of both Pitch and Modulation is Superb. Even gives Jan Hammer a run for the money. L.Duncan Hammond was sorely missed on Open Up LP, But Michael Poncek did keep up the strength of the Keys on his own quite well. Wil Sharpe's voice (although not a skilled singer) is almost Italian Prog sounding, (Close to the sound of for instance Libra, or PFM, and also kinda close to Mick Ronson, or Timo Laine, or even some small moments of Japanese Rocker Kyoji Yamamoto.) a very smooth and soothing sound coming out of his body and pipes. Fantastically pleasant to listen to. Long Dancer is by far the finest track on the album, a severely emotional progression throughout and with aerie passages only to culminate into what I consider being the penultimate Guitar Solo of all times, hands down... Unbelieveable emotion and handling from Wil, His Guitar tone is indescribeable, but I'd call it Rubber Steal, in how he bends those G Notes into an A, The Only sad thing about Long Dancer is that it ends...!!! Mark Richards Drumming is Bill Bruford on Acid or a laid back Terry Bozzio... Fantastically unique approach to Roto Toms and Gongs and a fine sounding Snare to boot, brings us a most satisfying enigmatic challenge as a listener. Brad Stephenson, who years later wound up playing with Peter Banks Empire Project in L.A. is yet another Rickenbacker Plectrum player Galore... I can't help but just loving it, especially these days with all slap and lame soft fingers, lacking precision and stop timing issues. I've read some other reviews where words such as Embarrassing and not essential came up. I beg to differ... If you like Progressive Rock, This is the one you need to have along with Open Up. As for Embarrassing... A wise man once told me All forms of art is embarrassing and ridiculous. Thank God for such insight... without it, we would be arrogant pompous asses, all of us... Liten Up and have some Fun! I own this recording on LP, Cassette, 8-Track and Yes Japanese CD Release, and i still play all of them :-) I Give this album 10 Stars out of 5. Cheers! BOLLE_!_?