Kestrel [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD]

WOW, this is a wonderful version of this amazing record to have, this time it even came with a bonus 6 track cd, god i only became aware of dave black about 5 years ago but this guy really should have gone places, his guitar playing was awesome on this record and the one he did with spiders a year later when kestrel split up, anyway this is awesome uk prog with even a bit of hard rock thrown in, i would call it more on the line of a prog record but dave does some awsome solos on this record and everything just fits in so well, this was a very tight band in the mid 70s when bands like UFO, URIAH HEEP, NAZARETH,STATUS QUO,RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE,BUDGIE,WISHBONE ASH where all blasting out amazing guitar oriented rock, to bad kestrel got lost in the mix but this is a must own cd for any fan of prog or 70s rock in general, this album also has that awesome mid 70s analog feel to it, i got a japan mini lp sleeve of this around 5 years ago and i liked the cd so much i had to get this one more time in the shm mastering and the even better cardboard lp replica sleeve from 1975, sadly they just dont make music like this anymore, i belive dave black is still playing in the uk in a pub rock outfit or something like that but i cant be sure of that, i did read that a few years ago on the net though, anyway this release has never been better with a bonus disc and the remastering as i said, this will blow you away!!!!!! i should say FOR REAL 70S ROCKERS ONLY!!!!!

In the early 70's, a symphonic rock quintet were doing the London college circuit when they caught the attention of producer John Worth who signed them and released their one album in 1975. It didn't sell too well but the boys took it more or less in stride and then went their separate ways. Guitarist Dave Black, who had composed the lion's share of the material, went on to become a member of David BOWIE's band for a few years and then formed several other groups of his own. Some thirty years later, a Japanese man was reported to have paid 366 Pound to acquire the album, through an internet auction on eBay. In the words of guitarist Black who heard about the incident: "It's amazing to think that 30 years after we made the recording that the album is now being described as a prog-rock masterpiece." You may or may not agree with the word "masterpiece", but the album does feature enough mellotron blasts to hook the most fleeting tron admirer. The eponymous LP also features some good guitar work, excellent vocals and interesting arrangements; the compositions are simple and straightforward - call it a sort of prog/MOR crossover, if you will. Not overly complex but pleasantly melodious and well executed. If you're a tron enthusiast or into bands such as FRUUP, SPRING, FANTASY or early MOODY BLUES, it would be worth lending an ear to KESTREL's album. 01. The Acrobat 06:45 02. Wind Cloud 04:41 03. I Believe In You 04:10 04. Last Request 04:50 05. In The War 07:32 06. Take It Away 04:11 07. Ene Of The Affair 04:51 08. August Carol 07:1 Bonus 01. August Carol (Different Version) 07:02 02. The Acrobat (Different Version) 06:30 03. Part of the Machine (Unreleased Outtake) 04:42 04. The Sercher (Unreleased Outtake) 04:28 05. August Carol (Single Edit) 03:47 06. Wind Cloud (Single Edit) 03:43