DESERT PLACES

I was fortunate enough to see 'Satin Whale live in 1974 during an extended period spent in Germany. At the time, they had just released 'Desert Places' and were touring it extensively in Europe while in support of Barclay James Harvest. It would be the first time I ever witnessed a support act receive a standing ovation and repeated calls for an encore - very much deserved IMO. Purchase of the album was never in question and what an album it is. All these years later it has been upgraded from vinyl to cassette and now CD. This is most definitely 'symphonic prog' and is lush in arrangement and execution. The surprise is that keyboardist Gerald Dellmann is credited with organ and electric piano - he somehow managed to make it sound much more expansive and expressive than these two instruments would indicate. Vocalist Dieter Roesberg also contributes saxophone and flute - often played in tandem with the keys which gives an even greater 'symphonic' touch. His vocals are performed in English with hardly a trace of an accent. Thomas Bruck (bass/vocals) and Horst Schoffgen (drums) round out this excellent band. Running in at approximately 43 minutes was fairly standard given the limitations of vinyl but the five tracks which are contained on that piece of vinyl represent, arguably, the best album this band ever recorded. It also is the easiest one to find as much of their subsequent catalogue has been dis-continued and only available through private sellers at sky-high prices. Sure, it's of its time but still stands up so well. Maybe the live experience has coloured my perspective but it still receives a lot of playtime and worthy of inclusion among the plethora of prog music circulating at the time.