Rare Bird – Rare Bird

The problem with the Rare Bird is, they were good musicians till their 3rd (this) album, later they play funky commercial music, but their first 2 album would be the best, if they would have been play more instrumental interpretations with long tracks, like the second album track1. But with that track also has a problem, after the "psychedelic part flapping wing-effect" the music became boring till the end. :( If they would be like that, as I mentioned, their albums now would worth thousands in the rare prog lp collectors.

What an incredible band! PERFECT songs! They deserve more recognition, for sure.

Underrated gem despite the hit single Sympathy, which just about about everyone will immediately recognize. This album should be among the classics of the genre.

You couldn't start the Charisma label better than the debut of Rare Bird! This was the first release ever on Charisma. This was a rare example of a band with two keyboardists and no guitarists, with David Kaffinetti on electric piano and Graham Field on organ. Plus Steve Gould on bass and vocals and Mark Ashton on drums. This is the original lineup that only lasted two albums (they continued on Polydor with guitars). The album managed a European hit single with "Sympathy". It was enough for Marillion to do a cover of it many years later. But of course, there's much more to this album than that! Check out such wonderful songs as "Iceberg", "Beautiful Scarlet" and "God of War". This latter piece has a rather sinister and ominous feel, particularly with Graham Field's organ playing. Prog rock was in its infancy when this came out, but these guys sure made great prog right from the start. Steve Gould's voice is soul-influenced, like Arthur Brown's, except his voice is nowhere as wild and demented as Brown's, but he still provides great vocals. The band also threw in some pop-oriented pieces too like "Bird on a Wing", "Nature's Fruit" and "You Went Away". "Times" is their attempt at '50s rock and roll. It's obvious that this group wanted more pop-oriented material in order for some radio airplay, which "Sympathy" became that hit and prog which was where their hearts were. "Sympathy" remarkably has lyrics completely relevant to this day. And by the way, the single version of this features a great B-side, "Devil's High Concern" (which luckily the recent CD reissue features as a bonus cut).

Rare Bird sure started it off right with a great debut album, and this is a great one to have in your collection.