MAGNA CARTA: "Seasons"

Original released on LP Vertigo 6360 003

(UK, August 1970)

Well, this is just the kind of music I like: sparse, rich instrumentation with a seriously gorgeous melodic folk/rock mix of major and minor chords. “Seasons” is a real conceptual piece, with a seamless succession of themes that come and go, a Prologue and an Epitaph that lyrically concludes and musically reprises the opening theme; No efforts were spared to make Simpson’s dream materialize and both Gus Dudgeon and Tony Visconti contributed in the production, arrangements and playing. This is the finest acoustic progressive folk you can hear... maybe the high pitch voice of Glen Stuart or the delicate acoustics riffs of Chris Simpson and Lyell Tranter (australian guitar player who left the band after this release). This british trio is supported by Rick Wakeman who add the classical arrangements. In this album is always present inspiration and melodic voice harmonies from the 22:00 minutes suite "Seasons" to the commercial but lovely "Airport Song". This is a British example of folk music expressed in a progressive ambient. No north-american motifs here despite that there are some reminiscences of Simon and Garfunkel what is just a lovely coincidence.