ELA ELA

3.5 stars. AXIS were a four piece band from Greece but they were able to move to France in order to have some actual freedom musically and in life. Two of the members(bass/ keyboardist) are the lead singers while the other two add harmonies and backing vocals. The two main singers were part of the APHRODITE'S CHILD backing band which came as no surprise as there is a connection between the sound of these two bands musically. In 1972 this was released in Germany, Canada, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and France. Interesting that The Netherlands release had a different cover and title. It's called "Someone". The Spain release covers all the bases as they called it "Someone/ Ela Ela/ Osanna". The only cd release is from 2013 and they take The Netherland's cover and title but on the spine of the cd it has "Someone/ Ela Ela".

The nine songs range from 3 minutes to 5 1/2 minutes and there is a strong 60's flavour to the music both vocally and instrumentally. Kind of a Folk/ Psychedelic style that is often commercial sounding. The thing is that this is clearly a talented band and they hit some real highs here but I find it inconsistent. Still I found this tough to rate because I like a lot of this and it really ends well with the two longest tunes ending the album. The vocals are a strong point and both lead singers while different from each other they are outstanding. "Osanna" isn't really the best way to start this, it's so commercial sounding and I was sick of hearing it pretty quickly with vocals dominating the sound.

How about the vocals on "Living In" which have so much character and the electric guitar and organ standout. I like those two tracks in the middle "Nothing To Say" and "Long Time Ago". The latter is a psychedelic beauty and a top three. Favourite is "Thought" for the vocals and organ which surprisingly bring SBB's keyboardist to mind when he's ripping it up on the organ and singing. The closer is very good too called "Bad Trip". The crazy thing about this one is the harpsichord. I don't think I've heard that instrument played with such passion before. Just a great sounding tune.

I like the sound of the electric guitar throughout and we get quite a bit of acoustic guitar as well. I would recommend this to anyone to at least check out.

Hey Hey Hosanna! A Greek treat and an Axis of Love with religious overtones, Axis had something of a cult following in Greece (just don't tell Scientologists their religion is really a cult, as they tend to get rather annoyed). Don't worry though, you don't have to don orange robes, shave your head, or prance around in a circle chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna". No, it's simply that with a church organ and heavenly choir in attendance, one can't help feeling a sense of spiritual love and devotion is in order. The opening song "Osanna" is a happy-clappy feel-good song, so feel free to clap and sing along if the spirit so takes you. And with that in mind, I hope you'll abide with me as we say a prayer and give thanks to the Prog Gods on Mount Olympus for giving us this heavenly blessing of Greek Prog:- "Our father, Who art in prog heaven, Give us this album and forgive us our Genesis "Trespass" album, For thine is the kingdom of Prog, And the power and the glory of Greek Prog, Forever and Ever, Amen to that! Ela Ela (Greek for "Hey Hey") is an album for those discerning prog fans amongst us who prefer their prog a little on the lighter side, with music as warm and comforting as a favourite fluffy cardigan, and sounding as comfortably familiar as Aphrodite's Child's first two poppy prog albums. The name of the band "Axis" is a sly reference to Jimi Hendrix, so you can expect to hear plenty of groovy, psychedelic pop tunes along the way with the occasional guitar freak out thrown in for good measure too - and all lightly sprinkled with an unmistakable Greek flavour that's as enjoyable as an evening of plate-smashing at your local Greek restaurant. And the highlight of the album? The final track: "Bad Trip" -a grandiose and magnificent prog spectacular - which you may well have heard before - that has all of the pomp and ceremony of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March at the Last Night of the Proms. Overblown? Maybe. Glorious and magnificent? Definitely! A word of warning: the first two Axis albums are really one and the same album with the tracks listed in a different order, which sounds as dodgy as some of Del Boy's hooky gear down at Peckham market. Oh, and one more thing: there was a third Axis album, released in 1973, which is still a mighty fine album, but it's something of a witches brew, so it's really one for Jazz Fusion freaks. An edgy and challenging album to listen to maybe, for those who like to dice with danger, but not nearly as hazardous as cooking sizzling sausages on a barbecue at a naturist resort.

The Ten Commandments of Prog:-

1. The Prog Gods are the Lords of Prog and thou shalt have no other Prog Gods before thee

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image of a classic prog album cover

3. Thou shalt not take the names of the Lords of Prog in vain

4. Remember the Black Sabbath day, for the seventh day is for the Holy worship of prog

5. Honour thy father and thy mother's prog collection

6. Thou shalt not murder a classic prog anthem

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery with a fellow prog fan's husband or wife

8. Thou shalt not steal a prog album

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against a fellow prog fan

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's prog collection