A detailed look at this essential 2-CD collection from Engla
russell newmark | UK | 05/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having garnered a devoted following on the psychedelic scene with their colourful storybook lyrics and exotic musicianship, the four members of Kaleidoscope shed that name for Fairfield Parlour - deemed to be more in keeping with their move towards progressive music. Their late-Sixties Fontana albums, `Tangerine Dream` and `Faintly Blowing`, were consigned to history and replaced by the more reflective mood of the 1970 Vertigo LP `From Home to Home` -- a work nevertheless still steeped in the group`s mighty twin strengths: Peter Daltrey`s evocative words and the musical arrangements drafted by Eddie Pumer and polished by the ensemble. Their career had taken on an exquisitely ambitious new direction, the material awash with sweeping orchestration, culminating in their magnum opus, the conceptual double-album, `White-Faced Lady.` It remained unissued and was officially laid before its admirers in 1990. This two-CD release brings together both albums, along with TEN rare extra tracks, and offers lavish evidence that the talents of Kaleidoscope and Fairfield Parlour remain scandalously unrecognised. Daltrey plunders the lyrical depths of his remarkable imagination to weave songs that sometimes recall the ebullience of the Kaleidoscope period - but which often linger with a hauntingly sombre and melancholic air, Precise singing, delivered with his pure English diction, is set to music that treads between a delicate acoustic feel and a heavier demeanour. The meticulous instrumentation is embellished with surprise touches and the overall impression is majestic. In the case of `White-Faced Lady` -- a project enhanced by the LSO - there`s also a powerful grandeur. Bonus tracks include all the A and B sides of the Fairfield singles, together with a new recording of their most successful, `Bordeaux Ros?`. Also included is the ultra-rare `Let the world wash in,` dating from their appearance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival and issued as I Luv Wight. Russell Newmark/June 2000"
Truly Inspired Music!
Andrew | Portland, OR USA | 08/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The greatest Kaleidoscope album is finally available on CD! White Faced Lady has profound, renaissance/psychpop/prog sensibilities loaded with original hooks. There are so many masterfully crafted melodies, arangements, and lyrics that you'll wonder how this band slipped through the fingers of the major record labels of the time. The bonus trax on From Home To Home are amazing. On the critical side, a few of the tracks are not mixed as well as on the original releases- such as the vocal mixes on "Freefall" and "All Hail To The Hero," but these are subtle differences that are overshadowed by the greatness of this inspired album!!! The Muse flows through these bards."
Great music!
Andrew | 11/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This has to be my all-time fave collection of Seventies stuff. I listen to this over and over. What a great melancholy mood. I`ve also discovered Peter Daltrey`s solo CD stuff is just as good. The band`s lead singer hasn`t lost anything over the years. Still got that voice!. Just bought his Tambourine Days CD. Ohhhhh..! Wonderful music!. His site address is something like this -- don`t blame me if it`s wrong pal. http://www.madasafish.com/~chelsearecords/sorry1.htmCheers from here to you over there. Gary Mann, UK"
Track Listings (39) - Disc #1