KESTREL

Short-lived band from Newcastle, which became from an oddity to a legend over the years.Kestrel (named after a type of bird) were born in 1975, featuring Dave Black on guitars/vocals, Tom Knowles on lead vocals, Fenwick Moir on bass and Dave Whitaker (formerly of Ginhouse) in the original formation, later to add John Cook on guitars and keyboars.The band was then signed by Cube Records to release their only LP in 1975.Most tracks were written by guitarist Dave Black.

The music is somekind of light Progressive Rock with slight symphonic overtones and elements from British Psych/Pop, it reminds me of early YES, CRESSIDA and SPRING after repeated listens with AMBROSIA being the closest comparison from the US scene minus the pompous arrangements.The tracks are structured over soft electric guitars, great vocal harmonies and an array of keyboards, which includes Hammond organ, electric piano, harsichord and, of course, Mellotron.Two different sides of the band can be identified.First comes in the shorter tracks, most of which follow a typical melodic Psychedelic Rock vein with some MOODY BLUES and PROCOL HARUM influences with organ and guitars in evidence, featuring excellent songwriting skils and flawless vocal parts by Knowless, balanced between romantic and more edgy instrumental textures.Even if being too accesible, this material is still very strong and memorable.The longer pieces are more progressive and feature quirky instrumental parts, symphonic flavors and lyrical depth in one package.''The acrobat'' is propably the best of all, albeit showered by some AOR lines, with impressive instrumental/vocal changes, a nice and proggy middle section with some STEVE HOWE nuance in the guitar chops and series of beautiful melodies.''In the war'' is a mixed bag of progressive sounds, somesort of Symphonic-, Jazz- and Psychedelic Rock amalgam with organ, electric piano and smooth electric guitars leading the way.''August Carol'' is no doubt the most progressive track of the mass, typical British Prog in the vein of CRESSIDA with mood and tempo changes, propelled by the nice guitar work of Black and containing some majestic Mellotron in a grand, symphonic style, which offers the best outro of the whole album combined with the farewell solo of Black.

Kestel weren't enough around to taste success, as they disbanded the following year.Dave Black continued his career throughout the 70's, first with the Rock band The Spiders from Mars and later with Goldie, apparently an unsuccesful attempt on Pop Rock.

Symphonic Pop Rock of a great quality with focus on solid and sensitive songwriting and file next to FANTASY, CRESSIDA, SPRING, THE MYND and BYZANTIUM.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.