Better Land [Original recording remastered, Import]

Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Brian Auger & Trinity | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Disconforme Spain
• ASIN: B0000256DF
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,236 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dawn of Another Day

2. Marai's Wedding

3. Trouble

4. Women of the Seasons

5. Fill Your Head With Laughter

6. On Thinking It Over

7. Tomorrow City

8. All the Time There Is

9. A Better Land

Editorial Reviews

Second Oblivian Express album, originally released in 1971, co-written by Auger and guitarist Jim Mullen. Includes the previously unreleased bonus track 'Mariah's Wedding' (live in Reutlingen, Germany, 1972). Castle. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautiful!, October 27, 2001

By 

D. Lockman (Southern California, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Better Land (Audio CD)

It is a hallmark of a truly gifted artist to have even UNKNOWN works be of extremely high quality, as this exquisite album is. A perfect marriage of jazz, pop and rock, A Better Land never falters for an instant. It is a beautiful work, from beginning to end. Not one note is extraneous, or out of place. My favorite cut is "On Thinking It Over", with its clever and sensitive use of the open-sounding suspended chords in the chorus. Auger's vocals are touching and appropriate, with effective use of doubling. And what a gorgeous piano solo! "Marai's Wedding" is bright & lively, delivered with a deft musical touch. "Women Of The Seasons" is gently hypnotic, and "Tomorrow City" is a melodically catchy, yet uncertain vision of the future.

The messages are ever-resonant. The title cut, with its positive vision of the future, has brought tears to my eyes (especially since September 11th, 2001, when our collective future suddenly became so potentially troubling).

The musicianship is superb--Even some of the basslines are quite catchy & memorable as they run counterpoint to the vocal melodies. All the guitar work is snappy and resonant. Auger's playing is melodic
and expressive, and there is an undeniable chemistry between the musicians. This is an album with a good and gentle heart, even in the uptempo numbers, and that heart really shines through. In this day and age especially, that is a true sign of distinction.

When I was a DJ on 1970s progressive college radio, this album was a "biggie" for me. And it has never diminished in its beauty or timelessness, in my opinion. Auger is reportedly a resident of Southern California, as I am. If I should ever run into Brian Auger, I will probably make a damn fool of myself gushing out my praise of this little-known masterpiece. I hope he'd understand. This album just does it for me. Always did. Always will. Give it a shot. It's worthy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cristaline perfection!!!, October 18, 2005

By 

PortugueseMusicFan (Porto, Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Better Land (Audio CD)

It's really a shame how this man is so ignored even today, with all that new fusion stuff!!!!!!!!! All of his records are top class and especially this one, softer, like a cool breeze, would please anyone with a pop taste... if only they give a listen!!! You'll not find any rating of Brian Auger (and also Julie Driscoll...) records in All Music Guides or in terrible Rolling Stone Album Guide...Why???
As a choice, "A Better Land" is a wonderful starting point toward recognition of a fantastic talented musician, one of the best in the seventies fusion movement!!! Go for it!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It get's softer by the year . . ., July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Better Land (Audio CD)

This was a great record for light listening. Light progressive, you could say. This isn't the hard-swinging jazz-rock of Auger's `Second Wind' and I have always preferred Auger's own vocals with Barry Dean's harmonies to those of Alex Ligertwood. Auger and Dean sing on this one. This was a very good, moody, seductive, but clean sounding (the sound quality was very good for its day- very clear) record of music. I used to use it all the time for dates, throughout the 70s. Get the girls good and relaxed and in the mood. I betcha' it would still work today, too.