First Battle

Waterloo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2003)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 1970
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Musea
• ASIN: B0000E3J7H
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,180 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WATERLOO S/T CD, February 8, 2008

By 

James L. Ferraro "The Cranker" (San diego, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Battle (Audio CD)

Great band great reissue label...Waterloo sounds like Writing on the wall to me at times. great heavy guitar work along with a swirling B-3. should appeal to fans of heavy to medium sounding prog.....

5.0 out of 5 stars Organ + flute driven prog, 1971, May 31, 2011

By 

Golovanov Alexey (Limassol, Cyprus) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Battle (Audio CD)

"Waterloo" was short lived, but impressive and extreemely talented progressive outfit from Belgium founded in 1969 (before the song with the title won Eurovision contest for ABBA in 1974). Unfortunately, Belgian music remains obscure and unheard of for most of us (except few addicts), needless to say that the acts like "Waterloo" didn't make it into "scholastic" references on European rock.
"Waterloo" was built out of ashes and bones of two locally famous acts - "Adam's Recital" from Brussels (released one single for Eddie Barclay's French label before disbanding in 1969) and "Today's Version" from Ghent. Initially the winning formula of organ-driven power trio was tried, but quickly abandoned, and "Waterloo" started as quintet: Dirk Bogaert (vocals, flute), Gus Roan (guitar), Marc Malyster (organ), Jacky Mauer (drums) and Jean Paul Janssens (bass) - seasoned musicians, with classical training behind. Very few acquainted with the band insist on Keith Emerson and "Nice" being major influence, although I am not able to understand in which way - "Waterloo" played exceptional heavy prog rock, venturing into psychedelia and showing jazz influences. I would say, it's more close to "Beggar's Opera" (Act One, and there are similaritries (not influences!) with "Jethro Tull" and "Deep Purple". Organ and flute are superb, while vocals are pleasant and confident.
"Waterloo" debuted the same, 1969, year - next to Michel Polnareff (French pop/rock icon, quite innovative and scandalous - Polnareff; also largely ignored by English-speaking audience), and in 1970 came to London, where they recorded most of this album. Regretfully, it was mainly available in Belgium and France only. In spite of the fact that "Waterloo" gigged non-stop and built faithful following, the pressure was unbearable. The band lasted until 1972, and then split. On this CD there are both originally recorded songs and bonus tracks + extensive story of "Waterloo". A must for any fan of 70s prog. I would advise to look for another Belgian heavy prog/psychedelic act from the 70s - "Jenghiz Khan" (has nothing to do with German disco) - the photo of the cover is added as reference