Search - Wigwam :: Being

What a tremendous discovery!

Speedy | Fl, MO USA | 04/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow ...i thought i had heard most of the interesting groups from the seventies...but Wigwam escaped my attention. And what a delightful hearing this is! Imagine a rock-pop group that has members that also like Soft Machine, Zappa and a bit of blues mixed with sophisticated jazz. Add some nice vocal harmonies, some a la Stevie Wonder(!), and weird lyrics (which are song in a choppy kind-a-way!) and you've got a pretty original sound. I recommend you get "Fairy Port'" first. But then come to this which is great also! Highly recommended to prog fans more into the 'canterbury' side of things then in the classic symphonic style..."

This is the best progressive effort by Wigwam ... classic

Lethe | Milan, Italy | 03/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This issue truly deserves the attention and the maximum respect, among the seventies classics of progressive rock!! It is an involved concept album into the political points of view and commitment, sometimes facing the question of various religions. In comparison to "Fairyport" this album is less accessible, by means of captivating melodies and odd songs... naturally at the first listen such weird songs disturb us a bit, nevermind because the great use of strings and other "wind"-instruments, make this album well worth checking out !Moreover some spare jazz-influenced stuff are evident here (listen to "Pedagogue" with the clever use of the clarinet and the flute as well... or to "Prophet")and the output is excellent!!A classic one!!"

Unbelievable stuff from this Finnish Prog band

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 06/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1974 album is an absolute treat for those of us that are serious listeners - there is a lot going on musically and these guys are fantastic players. Although I have real problems with some of the subject matter (the recollections of the "chaplain" on Pride of the Biosphere are deeply offensive), I guess it does make sense when placed within the context of the "concept". Then again, maybe I just need to lighten up.



Overall, the music is a dense and challenging mix of European prog, classical, and jazz, with some exceptionally bizarre lyrics presented in an equally unusual vocal style. Odd meters are everywhere and there are some very sophisticated harmonies and melodies, not to mention some incredible ensemble work. The musicians on this album include the virtuoso keyboardist Jukka Gustavson (vocals, piano, Hammond organ, mini-moog, and VCS3) who is right up there among the lofty ranks of Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Tony Banks, and Patrick Moraz; bassist/keyboardist extraordinaire Pekka Pohjola (bass, violin, piano, mini-moog, sheet music); drummer Ronnie Osterberg, and English vocalist Jim Pembroke. In addition to the core musicians, there is a huge list of additional musicians that play mostly woodwinds. In fact, woodwinds are everywhere on this album.



Overall this is one of my favorite prog albums and makes for a fun listening experience. One of the things I appreciate is that the concept is pretty deep and addresses a broad spectrum of topics including social-political structure, ethics, world view, and religion. In fact the cover neatly sums things up - for example, there is an image of Karl Marx portrayed as a hyper-muscular "superman/champion of the proletariat" with a large "P" (for proletariat) emblazoned on his chest. Other images include subcultures comprised of the homeless etc... I think that as a total package that combines cover art, lyrics, and music, this is a particularly effective slab of progressive rock. This is all pretty important to me because as a prog fan, I respond just as vigorously to the concept as the music.



This album is very highly recommended along with a solo album by Pekka (Harakka Bialoipokku, 1974)."