Earth And Fire - Song Of The Marching Children - 1971 (24/96 Vinyl Rip)

"Earth And Fire" are legends of the Dutch Rock scene, first making an impression with their debut single "Seasons" in 1969. They quickly established themselves as an international act thanks to the excellence of their material and the powerful vocals of Jenny Kaagman.
In 1971 the band released arguably their finest work "Song of the Marching Children", a Mellotron soaked masterpiece, that was a major selling album throughout Europe.
"This beautiful recording has a great atmosphere and remains one of the best 'Dutch' symphonic prog-rock albums from the seventies" Enjoy it!

Note > No silence was deleted; please burn this album gapless..

Review:

EARTH & FIRE's "Song Of The Marching Children" falls somewhere within the song-oriented prog category. The album consists of short tracks on side A, and a larger epic on side B. All of the tracks on Side A feature some of the best qualities found in more adventurous progressive rock, and they end up sounding like miniature epics. The side- long track sounds like 5 songs pieced together. Overall, the music from this band has a strong European symphonic sound, meaning that Baroque, classical, and even circus influences are all over the place.

The band likes to weave in and out of major/minor chords and scales, so the music alternates between happy and sad moods. I also hear a noticeable early KING CRIMSON sound (heavy on the orchestral mellotron sound). EARTH & FIRE had a female lead-singer with one of the warmest, and charismatic, voice that I've heard in prog. She is usually mentioned first when people talk about the band. Some of her lyrics are silly in a surreal, counterculture, sort of way, but her beautiful voice quickly makes you forgive the naive lyrics.

This is a majestic album that will please fans of early KING CRIMSON, PFM's "Per Un Amico", and FANTASY.
Steve Hegede @progarchives.com


Track List:

01 Carnaval Of The Animals
02 Ebbtide
03 Storm And Thunder
04 In The Mountains

05 Song Of The Marching Children
a) Theme Of The Marching Children
b) Opening Of The Seal
c) Childhood
d) Affliction
e) Damnation
f) Purification
g) The March

Musicians:

Jerney Kaagman - Vocals
Chris Koerts - Leadguitar, Accoustic guitar, Vocals, Oscillator
Gerard Koerts - Mellotron, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Flute, Vocals
Ton van der Kleij -Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Hans Ziech - Bassguitar