Mandalaband - Mandalaband / The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies (2004) 2CD

MANDALABAND is the third reincarnation of an extraordinary progressive rock band with a long history. The first and original album 'MANDALABAND' was released by Chrysalis in 1975 and created quite a stir with its bombastic 'Om Mani Padme Hum' - a four-movement work for rock band and choir, the lyrics of which form the basis of the Tibetan national anthem. … Chrysalis then asked David to write and produce a second Mandalaband album, making use of all the singers and fellow musicians he had befriended during his time as engineer and producer during the 70s. The result was 'THE EYE OF WENDOR' - a concept album based on a Tolkienesque fantasy set in a world of warlocks, witches, battling heroes, and a magical gemstone of supernatural power.

The first and original album 'MANDALABAND I' was released by Chrysalis in October 1975 and created quite a stir with its bombastic 'Om Mani Padme Hum'. A favourite of legendary BBC DJs John Peel and Alan Freeman.

Mandalaband (1975)

01. Om Mani Padme Hum ~ Movement One (7:46)
02. Om Mani Padme Hum ~ Movement Two (4:34)
03. Om Mani Padme Hum ~ Movement Three (3:29)
04. Om Mani Padme Hum ~ Movement Four (4:58)
05. Determination (5:51)
06. Song For A King (5:22)
07. Roof Of The World (4:31)
08. Looking In (4:42)

Produced by John Alcock

Musicians

• David Durant - Vocals
• Ashley Mulford - Electric and acoustic guitars
• John Stimpson - Bass and acoustic guitars
• Tony Cresswell - Drums, timpani and tubular bells
• Vic Emerson - Piano, organ, moog, clavinet, claviolines and glockenspiel

• Choir: The London Chorale

Released by Chrysalis in May 1978, The Eye of Wendor has, over the years, come to be recognised as a great classic prog rock project and the most complete concept album of its time and genre.

The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies (1978)

01. The Eye Of Wendor (4:47)
02. Florian's Song (2:36)
03. Ride To The City (3:25)
04. Almar's Tower (1:56)
05. Like The Wind (2:42)
06. The Tempest (1:03)
07. Dawn Of A New Day (4:15)
08. Departure From Carthilias (2:57)
09. Elsethea (2:48)
10. Witch Of Waldow Wood (4:37)
11. Silesandre (3:29)
12. Aenord's Lament (1:52)
13. Funeral Of The King (1:33)
14. Coronation Of Damian (2:23)
15. Dawn Of A New Day (Original mix) (4:14)

Produced by David Rohl

Musicians

• Davy Rohl - synthesizers, backing vocals
• Kim Turner - drums, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals (all except 12)
• Stuart Wolstenholme - synthesizers, Mellotron (all except 12-14)
• Norman Barrett - voice box guitar (4-9)
• Steve Broomhead - guitars, vocals (1-2-4-5-7 to 14)
• Friday Brown - vocals (5)
• Mike Carlton - trombone (3)
• Phil Chapman - sax, flute (1-2-3, 8 to 11, 13)
• Ritchie Close - piano, orchestra (1-2-3-5-9-10-11-13-14)
• Lol Creme - vocals (9)
• Andy Crompton - trombone (3)
• Terry Davies - orchestra score (7-12 to 14)
• Michael Davis - conductor of Hallé orchestra (1-2-3-5-6-7-9-11-12-14)
• Paul B. Farr - French horn (3-5-14)
• Mark Gilbanks - trumpet (2-3-10-11-14)
• John Gilstron - sweep (4)
• Pete Glennon - bass (2-10)
• Kevin Godley - lead& backing vocals (9-10)
• Dave Gorton - trombone (3)
• Graham Gouldman - bass, lead & backing vocals (2-9-11)
• David Hassle - percussion (3-7-8-10-11-14)
• Justin Hayward - lead & backing vocals (7)
• Russell Hayward - French horn (3-5-14)
• Les Holroyd - bass (1)
• Martin Lawrence - percussion, vocals (5-7-10-14)
• John Lees - electric guitar (1-10)
• Jimmy McDonnell - electric guitar (3-5-7-9-11-14)
• Gerry Murphy - North Umbrian pipes (1), Uilian pipes (7)
• Fiano Parker - vocals (7-12)
• Mel Pritchard - drums, percussion (1-6-10)
• Micky Purton - French horn (3-5-14)
• Maddy Pryor - lead vocals (5)
• Noel Redding - bass (3-13)
• Richard Scott - recorders (14)
• Tony Spath - oboe (10-12)
• Eric Stewart - lead vocals (2)
• Alf Tramontin - bass (5-7-8-14)
• Jon Turner - organ
• Andy Wardaugh - trumpet (2-3-10-11-14)
• Ian Wilson - vocals (11)
• Paul Young - lead & backing vocals (11)
• The Gerald Brown Singers (2-7-8-12-13-14)

Notes

CD remastered by Paschal Byrne
Eclectic Discs reissue co-ordinated by Mark Powell




Many thanks to the original uploader: kingss