The group's debut album. They were still a quartet at the time, without
a full-time keyboard player. The material is essentially progressive folk-rock,
elements of jazz and swing ("Over the Rainbow" even turns up
interpolated in the arrangement of one number) juxtaposed with traditional
folk songs ("The Unquiet Grave," ka "Dives and Lazarus"),
works attributed to Henry VIII, and folk-style originals. Brian Gulland's
and Richard Harvey's bassoon, krumhorn, and recorders are the dominant
instruments. The instrumental tracks tend to overwhelm the tiny handful
of vocal numbers, sung by Gulland, guitarist Graeme Taylor, and drummer
David Oberle.
(by Bruce Eder, All
Music Guide)
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