Customer Reviews

The White Ladies

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The 3° and last album from this clasical Dutch power group former in 1973 by the keyboardist Rick van der Lynden (previously the leader of Eskeption)As expected, van der Linden's keyboards pretty much dominate the session, which is a decent effort by progressive rock standards. This LP is a concept album, van der Linden's musical interpretation of an old Dutch legend about "The White Ladies," which dates from the Middle Ages. Van der Linden recruited a few associates from his old band Ekseption, including bassist Cor Dekker and drummer Peter de Leeuwe, as well as additional musicians. The record is a mixture between clasical music (The leader's reworking of classical compositions by Beethoven is very nice and powerfull)and progresive rock with enfasis on the keyboard's work by Rick van der Lynden (moogs, Hammond organ, synth and piano. A tipical 70's progresive rock album with reminicents of Emerson, Lake and Palmer-Triumvirat-Rick Wakeman and Yes music... A very beautiful album.

Although billed as the third Trace album, this is really the first Ekseption reunion album. Jaap van Eik, Ian Mosely and Pierre van der Linden (of Trace) do not appear, while Cor Dekker, Peter de Leewe and Dick Remelinck (of Ekseption) do appear. The sound is unsurprisingly closer to 'Ekseption 3' and 'Beggar Julia's Timetrip' than the ELP-influenced Trace.

Shortly after this release (1976) the ersatz Ekseption, which had been continuing with Hans Jensen in place of Rick van der Linden, would change their name to Spin, and Rick would reunite with his former bandmates, reclaim the name and release 'Ekseption '78.' Got that???

Ekseption was always Rien van den Broek's band more than Rick's, although Rick became such a major element of their sound that they weren't really Ekseption without him. Of course Trace wasn't Ekseption either without the horn section of Rein and Dick.

Rik van der Linden began as a classical musician, then he delved into jazz and won awards all over Europe. With Trace, he blended classical music with jazz and rock. This unique album tells the story of an old Dutch legend with music. The White Ladies were nymphs who lured humans into the woods with their music. Any human touched by them was freed of worries and wanted to dance away the rest of his or her life. Two brief narrations supply the basics of the story. I love to listen to this album in a darkened room, lie back and watch the story unfold in my mind. The song the White Ladies use to tempt a farm wife away from the well would send me into the woods to join them! There's an exciting rescue "scene", and the ending describes the woman's torn feelings after her return home. I would love to see this as a modern dance show on stage.