ILLUSION

This was one of classic album that colored my teenage period. I was not quite sure on how to classify this kind of music at that time. For sure, I did not consider this as rock music, rather was like symphonic folk music with great melody. Why did I term it as symphonic? Because the background music has a very strong nuance of symphonic music through the use of string arrangement using synthesizers and mellotron as appear under the opening track "Madonna Blue" (6:46) fronting Jane Relf as lead vocalist. The piano work also is a nice thing to enjoy from this album especially when it's combined with guitar solo at later part of this opening track.

"Never Be The Same" (3:18) is completely a pop song with rhythm section that sounds like a folk song enriched with piano work. Jim McCarty plays lead singer role in addition to song author (including the opening track "Madonna Blue" as well). Nothing special about this song; it's a good easy listening track, I would say. "Louis' Theme" (7:41) features Jane Relf back as lead singer with an ambient intro part combining piano work and bass as main rhythm section. As the title implies this song was written by Louis Cennamo (bass player). This mellow track is quite dark and it has good melody. For some people, this track might be boring as it has a very little variation in terms of style. "Wings Across the Sea" (4:49) might remind you to early King Crimson in a lighter way with the sounds of female vocal. "Cruising Nowhere" is a song with different style than other songs in this album with a kind like Sally Oldfield music combining the percusiion style that reminds me to world music. The guitar solo is stunning with some influences from Santana.

Overall, this is a good album with some symphonic and psychedelic touches and most of songs are easy listening style that can be accepted by wider listeners. This can be a must for those who really want to track the vintage music at times when rock music experienced its glory days in the seventies.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW