ASYLUM

Saw the CD one Saturday sitting in the sales section of Andy's Records (or whatever that chain now call themselves) and came away from that shop with three other albums. A good haul: a Joni Mitchell, one from (the guy who provided the brass rock for the Beatles' Revolver) Cliff Bennett, a John Surman and the Cressida - and then I got change out of 15 quid.

I recognised the Cressida as one of those early Vertigo signed bands, who were short- lived, but I have missed/avoided for 30+ years until now. The low price combined with my desire to fill in some gaps in my knowledge of earlyday prog, inspired me to buy this. Simply I have to report that I have value for my money but I will declare I'm glad I didn't have to pay more than the 4 quid tag. Hammond organ, guitar and vocals, take the lead. The keys are often jazzy (appeals to me), as is the guitar on the title track. The voice is good. But considering the time of its original release when the new rock scene was exploding, when the competition to be the NEXT major rock band (with similar line-ups) was great, then it is clear Cressida faced an uphill challenge. The weakness of otherwise, workmanlike tunes and arrangements, (in other words having a large "so-what?" factor), will explain the lack of national (and international) success of the band - meaning Cressidabeing remembered only by a few.

As indicated, an album for collectors (or rock historians like me), which has some minor moments.