Tracks
Side 1:
1. Dorian Deep (7:21)
2. Born To Be Free (5:33)
3. And The Eagle Chased The Dove To Its Ruin (6:25)
Tracks Side 2:
1. Ab Initio Ad Finem (The Opera) (10:32)
2. Facilis Descencus Averni (9:19)
Listen At
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrNGPpa2QRM
This is the first official re-release on vinyl under licensed courtesy
of BMG Rights Management, UK, remastered from an original master copy
out of the vaults of BMG. The album was originally released in 1970 on
Transatlantic. Marsupilami is one of those early 70's groups that
should've emerged but didn't , like Audience, Gravy Train, Gnidrolog and
a few more. This south-west England sextet, built around the Hasson
brothers Fred (vocals) and Leary (keyboards) and the latter's girlfriend
Jessica Clarke (flute and vocals), released two superb albums that have
gone way too long without being noticed. Marsipulami's sombre and
slightly spooky flute- laden music, often evoking mythology, certainly
was groundbreaking stuff and should've caught many more 'underground
public' ears, but the offer was plentiful in those times and the places
in the sunshine a bit scarce. The opening Dorian Deep is often sombre
and brooding, heavy, organ-driven, with the fuzz guitar and the flute
adding more drama, Fouracre's drumming being very strong, this leaves
Hicks' bass playing often the anchoring role, but does it brilliantly.
Born To Be Free starts off as languid flute-driven piece before suddenly
exploding into another frenzied jam, although the Leary Hasson organ
solo gives this one a jazz tinge ... that is until the harmonica solo
comes in! Finally the flute reclaims the piece and the listener is
thrown back to that now seemingly distant mellow beginning. The imagery
in And The Eagle Chased The Dove To Its Ruin drips with the rhythmic
energy of classic psychedelia and is probably the listeners´ declared
favourite track. Side two starts with Ab Intio Ad Finem (The Opera)
which runs for nearly 11 minutes. It begins with a musical box kind of
sound before a march gradually takes over. Some churchy organ creeps in
and after 2 minutes, an excellent organ/tribal drum jam ensues and after
a minute or two, some delightful flute chips in. It then becomes a
guitar freak out, before flute leads the band back into a pastoral
section, before everything takes off again on a wild jazzy jam at around
the 7 minute mark, really great prog stuff. Facilis Descencus Averni is
a different beast altogether, perhaps even more jarring than the most
manic moments of Dorian Deep and a another high-powered jam, with a
drastic switch to a meditative flute passage ... before the great vocal
part restates itself. There is a vibe that reminds occasionally of
Quintessence and at other times of Iron Butterfly, but Marsupilami has
more to offer. Earthy, powerful and intriguing, Marsupilami was one of
the first true progressive rock bands. This is a must for all lovers of
early british prog rock. Album comes with 6-sided cover-sized insert
sheet with comprehensive story by singer Fred Hasson and add.
Glastonbury story by organ player Leary Hasson, rare and unseen photos
and lyrics. Don`t miss it!
Dave Laverock - Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bowed Guitar , Vocals
Fred Hasson - Vocals, Harmonica
Leary Hasson - Organ
Richard Hicks - Bass
Mike Fouracre - Percussion
Jessica Stanley-Clarke - Flute, Vocals