Week of October 18, 1998
Mick Cook - vocals, drums
Clive John - keyboards
Mick Stubbs - keyboards, vocals, guitar
Johnny Weider - violin
Cliff Williams - vocals, bass
Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
Jimmy Anderson - keyboards
PAUSE FOR A HOARSE HORSE (CBS64365) 1972
HOME (CBS 64752) 1972
ALCHEMIST (CBS 65550) 1973
Fancy Lady, Hollywood Child/Shady Lady (CBS 7809) 1972
Green Eyed Fairy/Sister Rosalie (CBS 2362) 1974
Someone at CBS must have had very trustable ears. The development of
Home within years from a competent but immature outfit to the makers
of a minor masterpiece is nothing less than stunning. They started out as
a surprisingly American-sounding progressive act. On the first album there
are luckily no traces of self-indulgence or technical showmanship. There
rather is an attempt to convey genuine emotion through well-constructed melody
and tasteful arrangements. Yet, the results are more impressive for their
potentiality than for their immediate impact. Anyway, there is skill, courage
and some excellent melodies as well. Already very noticeable is the fluent
and "natural" sounding guitar of Wisefield. The second album shows some progress.
The aforementioned guitar reigns supreme on almost all tracks, the singing
has improved and the sound is less derivative and swings effortlessly between
different moods. The only flaw: the attempts to sound more controlled influence
their emotional expressions unfavourably, resulting in a few compositions
which are not on the usual level. Typically a transitory album. They came
to full bloom on "The Alchemist". Suddenly, all that previously
only was suspected, springs into life. There are some incredible guitar
parts, many highly emotional songs, dexterous but totally controlled playing
and even inspired lyrics. While at times the music is strongly reminiscent
of New Zealand band Dragon, thoughtful and gently powerful, on side
two there is a unique and highly recommended apotheosis of most elements
that make UK progressive rock worthwhile. The arrangements gain a hitherto
only hinted at complexity, which is well-hidden, though, and only reveals
itself after several spins. Don't let the fact that this is a concept album
deter you from estimating its musical value.
Laurie Wisefield was later in
Wishbone Ash. Test pressings
exist for a 4th CBS album that was never released.
John Wieder had also worked with
Family, and John Clive - with
Man.
Source: The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson ISBN 1 899855 04 1