Search - Rare Bird :: Rare Bird

Special Band!

Karlos Vanelli | limassol, limassol Cyprus | 08/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most underated and underapreciated prog/rock bands of all time. The music is great, unbelievable drive combined with beautiful mellodies, dominated by the organ and the electric piano, (no guitar). And of course there's the singers' smashing voice, one of the best front men who would make all heavy metal 'singers' sound so small! Unfortunatley they only made 2 good albums, the first two, the rest you can forget"

Real Progressive Rock

Golovanov Alexey | Limassol, Cyprus | 11/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally - this is the long-awaited legal re-issue of the legendary first album of "Rare Bird" (on Cherry Red Records which offers a superb connoisseur's choice) , rare and real gem of progressive rock. Founded in 1969 as a joint force of 2 keyboard players (Dave Kaffinetti and Graham Field), Mark Ashton on drums and, finally, Steve Gould - vocals, bass & rythm, it had it first international hit with minimalistic and dark "Sympathy", although "Iceberg" and "Beatiful Scarlet" had much more power. "Rare Bird" was armed with unique, manly and powerful voice of Steve Gould, and were well above more successful bands ("Yes", for a while). Great sound, bonus tracks plus superb leaflet and artwork. Really worth it (together with the re-issue of "As your mind..."As Your Mind Flies By. After these first albums, "Rare Bird" suddenly moved towards average mainstream - competent, but not inspiring. In 1971 Graham Field recorded "Fields" for Sony - together with Andrew McCulloch (featured on "Lizard" by King Crimson) and Alan Barry (of the same fame). This CD was re-issued by Sunrise in 2003 (BIEM/MCPS LC12774 30523052) and shows excellent artwork of Colin Paynton: a golden eagle killing a hare - a collectors' item. Another attempt to re-surface from oblivion was made by Steve Gould himself in 1978 under the sign of "Runner" Runner(fortified by Alan Merrill, Mick Feat and David Dowle - an interesting piece for a true "Rare Bird" fan. Still, the first two albums are priority. Be warned - there is a "Live" bootleg around, which contains nothing else but a couple of early radio sessions and a fragment of a concert recorded direct from mixing console - Gould's voice is barely audible through the static"

How can something so good go unnoticed for such a long time

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 03/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It seems I've come across something SHOCKING to me. Something I can't even believe. Something that's almost too bizarre for words.



An unbelievably great album from the late 60's by a band called Rare Bird is positively *loaded* with great songwriting.



And yet, only a couple people are apparently aware of such a great album. How can that be?



We're talking about a band that probably has the same kind of magnificent songwriting skills that a band such as the Moody Blues or Procol Harum has. Just listen to "Sympathy" and get caught up in the moody style of the vocals, or a song like "God of War" and tell me what it feels like to climb that mountain. This is the kind of band that allows your mind to go places.



Furthermore, for the band to have their debut album be as GOOD as it is and for them to come right out of the gate with this amazing album shows how talented they must have been. Either that, or they knew exactly what they were doing and were really confident about it.



Lots of beautiful vocal melodies on this album. A MUST have. I've also heard a Fields album that was just as good.

"