Customer Reviews

Song of the Marching...

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When people think of Dutch prog rock, the first band that comes to mind is Focus, especially here in America since that band had a big hit over here with "Hocus Pocus". Of course, there were many more prog rock bands coming from Holland, and Earth & Fire is one of them. The band featured female vocalist Jerney Kaagman and was capable of creating some wonderful prog rock, while releasing many singles that became pop hits (at least in Europe). 1971's Song of the Marching Children is their second album and also their best, as far as I'm concerned. By this point, as well as the Hammond organ, the band now included a synthesizer and Mellotron which really benefitted the band's sound. It's also a concept album about reincarnation. The highlights on this album include "Carnival of the Animals", "Storm & Thunder" and the side-length title track. The title track was originally released as a single near the beginning of 1971 (the flip side of the single to "Invitation"), but on this album, it was not only re-recorded, but extended in to a prog rock epic, complete with lots of great Mellotron work and several different themes. Truly one of the greats of Dutch prog rock, to say the least. Another song worth mentioning is "In the Mountains", it's an instrumental piece that bears such an uncanny resemblance to Focus (listen to this song and listen to "Focus III" off the album by the same name and you'll be very surprised). Even guitarist Chris Koerts sounded just like Jan Akkerman here. The original Dutch Polydor LP comes with a gatefold with some really trippy artwork inside (later pressings apparently didn't come with the gatefold). There was also a German version of this album called Memories/Song of the Marching Children, which was released in 1972 and included not only the whole album, but also "Memories", a Mellotron heavy song that was originally released as a single in 1972 and of course, not included on the original Dutch LP. Anyway, if you enjoy the sound of the Mellotron, like prog rock with female vocalists, or like European prog in general, then you shouldn't go without this album!

Yes, it's that same fantasy fairy tale aspect that makes me believe Genesis and King Crimson are every bit as good as the millions of fans say they are.

Earth & Fire contains a similar magical, dream-like atmosphere on their early albums, especially evident on Song of the Marching Children.

I guess comparisons to the band Renaissance are inevitable, but it's honestly probably better to compare Earth & Fire to the progressive rock bands featuring male lead singers. This is because Song of the Marching Children closely resembles albums like Genesis Foxtrot and Yes Tales from Topographic Oceans thanks to the visionary aspect of the entire album.

The title song clocks in at 18 lengthy minutes of mellotron drenched, eerily-beautiful satisfaction. Perhaps a few comparisons to Curved Air wouldn't be out of the question entirely, though I don't want people to think I'm making such a comparison because the two bands happen to have female singers. No, this music goes much much deeper than simply pointing out similar genders.

Actually the title song doesn't drench you with as abundance of mellotrons like some of these reviews would have you believe. The band switches up about halfway through and brings in marching drums and small sprinkles of acoustic guitar. I love it.

This is really strange but "Storm and Thunder" reminds me of a combination of two King Crimson vocal melodies. The verse melody from "Cirkus" and the verse melody from their famous "Starless" song. Probably just a total coincidence, but then again, the mellotrons resemble the ones found in "Starless" as well.

Anyway, I realize my point hasn't exactly been clear so far, so let me cut to the chase and tell it like it is- Song of the Marching Children is an album every fan of the Moody Blues, Genesis and Yes should have in their album collection.

If the beautiful vocal melodies don't win you over, and the lengthy mellotron passages fail to impress... well, then I suppose this album isn't for you.

For the REST of us however, this is an underrated Dutch classic. Pick up Atlantis next. Both albums are about equal in quality in my opinion.

O.K., there are at least as many moments on this cd where you think you are listening to another Dutch band - Focus; but more often than not, it is the great English band Renaissance that will spring to mind, especially because of the very beautiful Jerney Kaagman's reminiscent vocals. (At times, she also sounds a lot like Mariska Veres from the band Shocking Blue!) Earth and Fire's "Song of the Marching Children" is a very good album, with generous use of the organ, but some nice mellotron as well (in the title track in particular). The music is very warm and melodic, with ever-changing moods. The original album was somewhat short, but with 3 bonus tracks now included (and they're very good as well), this is a cd of acceptable duration (45 minutes). Definitely an essential album from the Dutch prog arena, along with their follow-up "Atlantis". After that, they began to lose their progressive touch... Start with this one.


I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 8.1/10; Performance = 8.7/10; Production = 9/10; CD length = 8/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 8.4 ("4 stars")

I'm a huge fan of this band. Epic songs with tasteful guitar, trippy organs, great 70s drums, and amazing female vocals that range from husky low to high and keening. Check out Atlantis too. There are lots of parts, but each one sounds great. Not really as proggy as you would think... pretty conventional but beautiful / rockin parts, strung together. Ebbtide and Storm and Thunder are great tracks.