FEATURED CD: Rare Bird - Epic Forest

[JJ88]

Yes there was a rip of the US record on YouTube a while back and to my mind, that was obviously correct. I've no idea what happened to the UK version. ISTR you saying that one can actually hear the tape slowing down on the UK 'God Of War' and sure enough, you can.

[PCMusic]

Esoteric box en route with all their output.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/...5-6cd-box-set/

Has an extra live disc from Drury Lane. This was a show they shared with Barclay James Harvest- their first live album was partially recorded (and filmed) at this gig.

Thanks for posting this, something to look forward to. Only hope the box will be available on this side of the pond as well.

[PCMusic]

I suppose it's too much to hope for that the remaster of the first album will be free of the tape speed issues that afflicted the original UK pressing and all CD releases. To date, the only way to hear that album properly is the US vinyl.

They seem pretty diligent with their reissues so I am hopeful. Perhaps someone from Cherry Red reads posts here or to make sure it may be worthwhile to send them your exact message ... so we all get it the way it should be.

[Camelogue]

Steve Gould has a great rock voice.

[Mister Triscuits]

Steve Gould has a great rock voice.

Killer voice. So overlooked.

[JJ88]

I have the first few albums but I didn't like what I heard from the later Polydor albums so I didn't bother with those. It seemed the sound softened a lot. Early on they were capable of quite a heavy sound despite being guitar-free.

I do like the Fields album a lot. An excellent melodic progressive rock album.

They seem pretty diligent with their reissues so I am hopeful. Perhaps someone from Cherry Red reads posts here or to make sure it may be worthwhile to send them your exact message ... so we all get it the way it should be.

It's probably already been manufactured. There has been little discussion that I've seen about this obvious speed discrepancy beyond Mister Triscuits' posts on the subject. And it's not even a slight difference, if you hear the US version.

[nosebone]

Steve Gould has a great rock voice.

One of the best imo

[polmico]

Thanks for posting this, something to look forward to. Only hope the box will be available on this side of the pond as well.

Not seeing this on any of the usual US spots. Curious if anyone here in the States has picked it up.

[Monet]

I think that "Epic Forest" is even better and more varied than "As Your Mind Flies By". "Baby Listen", "House in the City" ... and the rest are unbeatable. In my own ranking, "Epic Forest" is my number one record by this band and then number two is "As Your Mind Flies By". Well, I listened to both albums from the mid to late 70s and back then the ranking was still the other way around. That has changed over the years. "Epic Forest" is Rare Bird's third album and it doesn't seem to be a further development but a change of course, which I think is a shame.
The original songwriting has remained, but the songs are rather guitar-oriented and bass-heavy. Those dominant keyboards on "As Your Mind Flies By" have largely disappeared and have only been replaced in places by a rather sparingly used piano. The remaining approaches are most likely to be found in the 70's funk-rock, whereby individual songs definitely featuring rock or have rocky passages. Anyway, high recommendation for both "As Your Mind Flies By" and "Epic Forest".

[yesstiles]

I think that "Epic Forest" is even better and more varied than "As Your Mind Flies By". "Baby Listen", "House in the City" ... and the rest are unbeatable. In my own ranking, "Epic Forest" is my number one record by this band and then number two is "As Your Mind Flies By". Well, I listened to both albums from the mid to late 70s and back then the ranking was still the other way around. That has changed over the years. "Epic Forest" is Rare Bird's third album and it doesn't seem to be a further development but a change of course, which I think is a shame.
The original songwriting has remained, but the songs are rather guitar-oriented and bass-heavy. Those dominant keyboards on "As Your Mind Flies By" have largely disappeared and have only been replaced in places by a rather sparingly used piano. The remaining approaches are most likely to be found in the 70's funk-rock, whereby individual songs definitely featuring rock or have rocky passages. Anyway, high recommendation for both "As Your Mind Flies By" and "Epic Forest".

Yes I agree Epic Forest is their best. But I usually skip the opening track, which I don't feel is representative of the album.

[Monet]

Yes I agree Epic Forest is their best. But I usually skip the opening track, which I don't feel is representative of the album.

How we all hear things differently! For me, "Baby Listen" is a great funk-rock song.

[ThomasKDye]

How we all hear things differently! For me, "Baby Listen" is a great funk-rock song.

I've listened to this album for the first time, and I've fallen in love with "Title No. 1." That song has tremendous energy and the keyboard solo is terrific. I don't think I've heard a keyboard tone like that before and I love it.

[Progbear]

How we all hear things differently! For me, "Baby Listen" is a great funk-rock song.

Agreed, love that song! Great guitar runs and, again, Steve Gould and Paul Karas had great vocal chemistry.