WATER BLUE

Vermilion Sands (with only one L in the first part of the name) released a very warm and mesmerising cd. It sounds like Renaissance sometimes (especially on the track Coral D, that reminds me of Prologue), but the music is less complex and there are electric guitar parts. The melodies however are as nice as the best tracks by Renaissance. Singer Yoko Royama has a very pleasant voice, sounding like Pageant's singer. Yoko later joined Theta and that group also released only one album (Seeds of the dream). My favourite tracks are In your mind (captivating), The Poet (beautiful vocals and a Steve Hackett guitar), Living in the shiny days (more up tempo) and The love in the cage (inspired by A song for all seasons). Compared to the original album the cd contains three bonus tracks. Especially the live tracks are great, because we can hear the band as it really sounded live. Are there any weak parts? Yes, I don't like the opening song My lagan love. But I think the band recorded that song because it gave them an opportunity to improve this album. Unfortunately there will never be a second album because Yoko is in heaven.