Chance for a Lifetime [LP Version] - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
If This Is Your Welcome - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
Moments of Joy - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
Patricia Anglaia - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Said No Word - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
My Heart Never Changed - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
Alibi [*] - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
Mountain Too Rough [*] - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
Woe and Alas [*] - Kayak, Scherpenzeel, Ton
Mouldy Wood [*] - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Lovely Luna [*] - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Forever Is a Lonely Thought [*] - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Still Try to Write a Book [*] - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Give It a Name [*] - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Bulldozer [*][Demo Version] - Kayak, Koopman, Pim
Reissue of the third album by Holland's top prog rock band. Originally released on the Janus label in 1975, it contains the original cover art, all 10 of the original cuts and nine bonus tracks, 'Alibi', 'Mountain Too Roug... more »h', 'Woe And Alas', 'Mouldy Wood', 'Lovely Luna', 'Forever Is A Lonely Thought', 'Still Try To Write A Book', 'Give It A Name' and 'Bulldozer' (Demo). A total of 19 tracks, all digitally remastered. 1994 release.« less
Reissue of the third album by Holland's top prog rock band. Originally released on the Janus label in 1975, it contains the original cover art, all 10 of the original cuts and nine bonus tracks, 'Alibi', 'Mountain Too Rough', 'Woe And Alas', 'Mouldy Wood', 'Lovely Luna', 'Forever Is A Lonely Thought', 'Still Try To Write A Book', 'Give It A Name' and 'Bulldozer' (Demo). A total of 19 tracks, all digitally remastered. 1994 release.
"25 years after it first came out, the third (and best) album of the Dutch progressive rock band Kayak remains as enjoyable as ever. From the opening sounds of the title track through classics such as Life of Gold and Chance of A Lifetime, each track shows the band at its peak creativity and performance. The 9 bonus tracks are primarily tracks from their first albums "See See The Sun" (tracks 11-12) and second album "Kayak" (tracks 14-15-16), as well as some B sides of various singles. This reissue is a companion piece to a compilation (not available anymore) simply called Kayak (not to be confused with their second album of the same name). These 2 CDs essentially put all of Kayak's materials of the EMI years (their first 3 albums, plus various non-albums singles) out on 2 (separate) CDs. As amply demonstrated by the other reviews on this album, Kayak (era 73-75) is a widely under-recognized progressive rock band and this album shows why. A must for every fan of progressive music!"
Not a Prog Album, Just a Great Album
Peter V. Salsedo | Redwood City, CA United States | 02/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1975, the progressive rock category hardly existed and was defined more in terms of the Rock/Jazz fusion of the time and less in terms of the subsequent New Age, Cybermusic that now defines this category. So even while Kayak may have been one of the early forerunners of Prog and embraced that evolution in subsequent albums, the comparisons with what has ensued really does an injustice to this particular album, which goes far beyond the scope and limitation of any such classification. Comparisons with Kayak's contemporaries of that time such as Yes and ELP derive from comparisons of Kayak's keyboardist, Ton Scherpenzeel, with Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. But the comparisons end there. A more apt comparison needs to be made to its contemporaries in terms of musical themes and ideas expressed mainly in the lyrics but carried through beautifully in the music. On that score, Kayak was much closer to the pop/rock of Pink Floyd, the Who, and, dare I say, the Beatles. Royal Bed Bouncer is about terrorism (title track), exodus (Chance for a Lifetime) and romance (Life of Gold). It is a humorous and adventurous album. It succeeds in a more concise way of expressing these themes and ideas than does Pete Townsend's "Lifehouse" project or Roger Water's "Amused to Death". But, anyone who is a fan of Terry Gilliam's film "Brazil" would love this album. To be clear, this is not a rock opera, but it has that same quality in the way that concept albums like "Sgt. Peppers" and "Abbey Road" have in terms of evoking a romantic musical imagery and philosophy. In short, it kind of makes you think, perhaps in a profound, but not a complex way, that we do not live in the best of all possible worlds; except maybe when we are listening to music like this."
Not the best prog album but still not bad
BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 02/19/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Kayak, along with Earth & Fire, Ekseption, Focus, Alquin, Supersister, Trace, and Finch, is one of the biggest names of Dutch prog. While Royal Bed Bouncer, released in 1975, is not the best prog album I have ever heard, it's not bad either. The music is all quite straightfoward, song-oriented format, so you won't find extended suites, complex time signatures and constant tempo changes. No killer Mellotron passages (the album does have some Mellotron, but it's hardly impressive at all). Or lengthy side length epics. If you want an earful of keyboard, you'll be disappointed as there is little to no solos or keyboards that stick out in general. The music is listenable for the most part, but there's plenty of more pop elements that might turn off the more diehard prog fanatics away. There are a couple of throwaway cuts on the album, but in general it still a worthy album, just that I don't consider it a classic or essential. At least it's not as bad as Kayak's largely uninspired and flat-sounding 1977 album Starlight Dancer. In my opinion, as far as Dutch prog is concerned, Earth & Fire's Song of the Marching Children (1971) and Atlantis (1973), Alquin's Marks (1972) and The Mountain Queen (1973), Focus' Moving Waves (1971), and especially Finch's Glory of the Inner Force (1975) are better albums to try."
Favorite Album of all time - something for everyone
CR | Seattle, WA | 04/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can hardly begin to give praise to this album; I don't know where to start. First of all, Ton sherpenzeel's ability to write complex and sophisticated music while still making it accessible and catchy is phenomenal. Songs like the title track show sherpenzeel's keyboard prowess (in the solo) and songs like Chance For a Lifetime show his ability to write technically demanding classical influenced passages with much to offer true prog fans. Life of Gold and Bury the World boast typical prog keyboarding to create wonderful backgrounds but Kayak still keeps things rock based with strong guitar work in songs like Said No Word. Lyrically, the album also has a lot to offer. The Humor typical of prog-rock albums is present in several occasions. Perhaps the most important thing about this album is that it is catchy. Hardcore prog fans might shy away from the pop-based aspect of Royal Bed Bouncer, but ultimately, that's what makes this prog album accessible and memorable."