EARTH AND FIRE - Songs Of The Marching Children +10 - EU Prog Gems Expanded Edition - VERY RARE - LISTEN

A new, remastered, limited, European edition (IN THE GERMAN POLYDOR SLEEVE FROM 1972, NEVER USED ON CD) of the excellent second album by the once very popular Dutchmen, released by Polydor in October 1971. Considered by many the best achievement of this progressive band (with a charming, female vocal), recalling here the style of the then Pink Floyd (juicily wailing guitar), early Genesis (beautiful melodies) and the debut of King Crimson (mellotron) with a vocal in the style of Mariska Veres of Shocking Blue. The first side of the record was filled with 4 shorter tracks (including the brilliant, building, flagship 'Storm And Thunder'), while the second part of the original vinyl was taken up by the brilliant, title, multi-part, 18-minute suite, kept in a varied but generally dark mood and enchanting with almost symphonic sweep. What is more interesting, the bonus tracks are in no way inferior to 'the second one' and may even be better! The singles (A and B sides) released at the time were splendid, and the added, television versions sound better and stronger than the originals! The booklet contains a reproduction of the black-and-gold front and middle of the original, Dutch sleeve, so nothing has been lost. AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Condition: New, sealed. (JL)