Illusions on a Double [Import, Original recording remastered]

Triumvirat | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B000068QEM
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,202 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Flashback

2. School Days

3. Triangle

4. Illusions

5. Dimplicity

6. Last Dance

7. Maze

8. Dawning

9. Bad Deal

10. Roundabout

11. Lucky Girl

12. Million Dollars

Editorial Reviews

2002 remastered reissue of the German progressive rock act's 1974 album. Includes 4 bonus tracks that were originally released as 7'' singles 'Dancer's Delight', 'Timothy', 'Dimplicity' & 'Million Dollars' (edit). EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Into the Breech Dear Friends and We'll Fill Their Portals..., September 1, 2003

By 

Mark D Burgh "Music, Writing, Art, Film, Hist... (Fort Smith, AR United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illusions on a Double (Audio CD)

...with our English dead. In 1974 English Progressive Rock was over. Sure there were some late comers, but the masterworks that define the genre were all done, toured, and live-albumed. Most of the first line Prog bands were taking a breather around this time; Yes, ELP, and Genesis all had to stop for various reasons, mainly having recorded and toured for six straight years.

And into this gap came Jurgen Fritz. Fritz, had he been born in England, would have been regarded along with Wakeman as a competitor to Keith Emerson, but unlike other Proggy keyboard wizards, Jurgen Fritz did not quail from emulating his master. "Illusions on a Double Dimple" is one of the few direct decendents of "Tarkus" and compares rather well to that piece. Fritz and his interchangable bandmates don't create a science fiction vision here; side one is the story of a failure having a drink on a hopeless afternoon. You may debate whether the technical prowess of this band and the heavy-duty musical technology employed is what is called for, but "Illusions on a Double Dimple" manages to move along quite nicely, with snatches of strings, and even some soaring melodies.

Side two, another long suite, addresses the rock industry, and gives us more of Jurgen Fritz's Emersonalia.

Back in the day, I listened to this album with a religious intensity owing to this being the only thing out there that satisfied my desperate hammond/moog jones. Fritz had a solid background in classical music (which Emerson did not) and created succinct, useable, and variable themes that move through the highly orchestrated pieces in ways that are more Yes-Like than ELPish; however, the sonic landscape never vears away from the heavy percussive organ, piano, and overactive drums of the Nice or ELP.

The remix clears up the inherently muddy sound of these vintage instruments, and gives a vivid sense of depth to the music. Fritz had a lot of talent and this is his best work. "Illusions" is a classic progressive rock album, and one that should be part of anyone's collection of that much-maligned but secretly well-loved genre.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CLASSIC PROG ALBUM!!, October 9, 2002

By 

Glenn Heald (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illusions on a Double (Audio CD)

"Illusions On A Double Dimple" is Triumvirat's masterpiece, and the high point of their recording career. The band, formed in Cologne, Germany, in 1971 by Jurgen Fritz (keyboards), Hans Bathelt (drums), and Hans Pape (bass, vocals), had previously released an album, "Mediterranean Tales" in 1972, to mostly poor reviews and lukewarm response by the public. After Pape left the band, they returned to the studio with his replacement Helmut Kollen (guitar, bass, vocals) to spend five months recording "Illusions" with horns, a string quartet and choir. The resulting record, released in March of '74, was a resounding success, earning Triumvirat an audience among prog fans world-wide. As a "concept" album, "Illusions" is breathtaking in scope and ambition, incorporating classical elements, pop balladry, joyous rock riffs and even occasional strains of jazz. Hard-core prog enthusiast will find plenty of dazzling musical interludes, and mainstream rock fans will enjoy the melodic movements encapsulated as conventional songs.
Sadly, and perhaps with a grain of truth, Triumvirat never quite shook the mantle of "Poor man's ELP", though the discerning listener will find them far more accessable and less heavy-handed. As well, they came on the scene during the waning days of the prog movement, and were thus forever in the shadow of established acts such as ELP, King Crimson, Yes, Rush, Genesis, and Jethro Tull.
They quickly recorded their following album, "Spartacus" (1975), another concept piece, which is itself a masterful work, more confident and assertive than "Illusions", but relying more on synthetic textures and instrumental virtuosity than "Illusions". "Spartacus" was followed by a series of albums "Pompeii" (1977), "A La Carte" (1978) and "Russian Roulette" (1980), each of which contain a few brilliant moments surrounded by mostly mundane attempts to recapture the magic of their previous success.
Triumvirat never again caught the lightning in a bottle of "Illusions". They didn't have the radio-frindly songs of Yes or Genesis, the instrumental virtuosity of ELP, the quirky arrangements of King Crimson, or the rock appeal of Tull or Rush. Nonetheless, in "Illusions" they captured perfectly a previously untapped balance of musical styles unheard-of before or since. "Illusions" and "Spartacus" deserve a spot on the top shelf of any prog rock fan. I've waited years for this record to be released on cd, and it's been well worth the wait. The bonus tracks are not up to the quality of the original album, but they're interesting to hear, if only to expound upon the direction the band was attempting to forge. I wish the cd allowed for individual selection of passages rather than album sides, so new listeners could skip to "songs" they enjoy rather than having to fast-forward through instrumental movements they may not appreciate. But when all is said and done, "Illusions On A Double Dimple" is as magnificent as it was when it was first released, and I'm glad to finally have it in my cd player. GET THIS RECORD NOW!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Hello, I'd like a double dimple...", January 8, 2004

By 

Girl.Scout.Heroin (replacing my toilet) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illusions on a Double (Audio CD)

Contrary to belief, a double dimple is not LSD. The "illusions" are on a double of Dimple Pinch as experienced by a poor dude in a bar lamenting on his misfortunes in life. Starting with childhood, "So sorry teacher, I don't know the things you made me learn for today. We've got ten kids at home, our living room's full, our daddy's gone away..." We then learn our poor sap is out of a job and reflects to himself, "mine is the road to nowhere. No light, no signs to guide me. Who could describe my anger, when I was sacked last Friday..." We later are treated to similar grievances about the music industry "Hands off, Mr. Ten Percent, we've got a gig tonight! Do ya think we're gonna pay your rent? How could you say you're still a friend? You'll make it fifty in the end!..."
Jurgen Fritz has created a concept album dedicated to the working class. Anyone who has ever felt underpriveledged or gets a feeling of worthlessness upon receiving a paltry paycheck has an excellent album just for them. Anyone in a gigging band or signing a contract with Capitol records. Anyone driven to drink after being sacked at work, anyone not born with a silver spoon up their butt.
This album is just fantastic. The idea was to make a BALANCED album that would please on musical levels as well as finding favor with a more traditional pop audience without venturing far from the progressive parameters. Not 40-odd minutes of uninspired technical musical self-indulgence, and not a bunch of boring balladry. There are melodic moments where true songwriting genius is exemplified mixed with competent progressive song structure and a few moments that, without fail, are guaranteed to spike my adrenaline levels. Quite a rush! Many of the ideas are sort of trippy, in a euphoric way.
Unfortunately, the progressive rock audience, being very opinionated, are just too hard to please. Either a piece of music is too bombastic or overwrought, or it is too commercial sounding, or God forbid, features a choir! Or reminds them of another band. (Face it, music is all about emulating things. Other music, other styles, other techniques. Live with it.)
Double Dimple is a target for criticism because it is the epitome of all those things. The final analysis is what happens when one puts on those headphones and hits play. And something really special happens with Illusions. A musician's job is to make you like their product using whatever tools they feel like using. When an album is simply entertaining using very plain or common ideas, that is a good album. When something has more focus, detail or that special magic about it, that is a great album. And a great album will always withstand more repeated listenings and invoke more awe and respect. I can listen to Illusions for a millionth time and notice something I did not notice before. Not specificaly in the notes played, but in the emotion or in the feeling a song may give off. I want to FEEL something when I listen, not just HEAR something. Triumvirat certainly hits bullseye with Illusions. One of my personal favorite albums, not just because I like it, but because it is clearly meticulously written, performed, and delivered in a way that makes the PUNCH work. This one's good start finish. (NOT regarding the bonus material, but the original LP release.) I would say that Illusions ranks as one of progressive rock's top ten best albums.