Rock, Metal

Earth And Fire – Atlantis (1973)

2010-06-24T20:59:40Z

Earth And Fire – Atlantis (1973)


01. Atlantis (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 16:21 including:
a). Prelude - 0:49	
b). Prologue (Don't Know) - 3:20		
c). Rise And Fall (Under A Cloudy Sky) - 2:42 		
d). Theme Of Atlantis - 4:02		
e). The Threat (Suddenly) - 1:48		
f). Destructions (Rumbling From Inside The Earth) - 2:59		
g). Epilogue (Don't Know) - 0:41		
02. Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight (Gerard Koerts/Chris Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 3:12		
03. Interlude (Gerard Koerts/Chris Koerts) - 1:57	
04. Fanfare (Ton van der Kleij/Hans Ziech/Gerard Koerts/Chris Koerts) - 6:03	
05. Theme From Atlantis (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts) - 1:48		
06. Love, Please Close The Door (Chris Koerts/Hans Ziech/Gerard Koerts) - 4:09

Personnel:
- Jerney Kaagman - lead female vocals
- Chris Koerts - electric & acoustic guitar
- Gerard Koerts - keyboards
- Hans Ziech - bass
- Ton van der Kleij - drums, percussion

As with many transition albums, "Atlantis" shows the group at its best in a perfect storm of conflict between at least 2 opposing forces. In this case it's the psychedelic prog of its predecessor and the more pop oriented material that would continue to impose itself in greater degree on the band throughout the seventies. Earth and Fire was somewhat unique in being artistically adept at both styles, although this album still tends to the more progressive side of their character.

The title suite opens the album, and, similarities to "Song of the Marching Children" notwithstanding, it actually flows together better. Rather than having one awesome theme and a bunch of middling sections, Atlantis is pretty strong from beginning to end, and varies the tempo a little more, especially in the "Under a cloudy sky" part and its counterpart "Rumbling earth". The lead guitars are more prominent, with the omnipresent organ taking a bit more of a back seat.

"Maybe Tomorrow Maybe Tonight" is the first hint at quality pop, albeit with a progressive heart in its 5:46. Chiefly it is the chorus that tells us where Earth and Fire wants to go, as it is simple and catchy. But "Fanfare" is quite the opposite, a mysterious mellotron drenched song much closer to their progressive roots. "Love Please Close the Door" is a fascinating call and response between Kaagman and the band, one of the more intriguing tunes in their repertoire, once you get past the fact that it has no flow in it at all per se.

While perhaps not as emblematic of an era as was "Song of the Marching Children", "Atlantis" is a more consistent album that sees Earth and Fire forge its own style even as it grapples with changing it in order to keep from becoming lost in the ocean of 1970s rock. ---kenethlevine, progarchives.com

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Earth And Fire – Earth And Fire (1970/1993)

2010-06-24T12:21:09Z

Earth And Fire – Earth And Fire (1970/1993)


01. Wild And Exciting (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts) - 4:27
02. Twilight Dreamer (Chris Koerts) - 4:15
03. Ruby Is The One (Chris Koerts) - 3:25
04. You Know The Way (Gerard Koerts) - 3:45
05. Vivid Shady Land (Chris Koerts) - 4:10
06. 21th Century Show (Chris Koerts) - 4:13
07. Seasons (George Kooymans) - 4:07
08. Love Quiver (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts) - 7:34
09. What's Your Name (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts) - 3:34
Bonuses:
10. Mechanical Lover (single B-side,1969) (Chris Koerts) - 2:15 
11. Hazy Paradise (single B-side,1970) (Chris Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 3:44
12. Memories (single A-side,1972) (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 3:19
13. Invitation (single A-side,1971) (Chris Koerts) - 3:46
14. From The End Till The Beginning (single B-side,1972) (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 4:53
15. Song Of The Marching Children (single B-side,1971) (Chris Koerts) - 4:04
16. Lost Forever - 2:47
17. What Differences Does It Make (single A-side,1976) (Chris Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 3:07
   
Personnel:
- Jerney Kaagman - female lead vocals
- Chris Koerts - electric & acoustic guitar
- Gerard Koerts - guitar, keyboards
- Hans Ziech - bass
- Cees Kalis – drums

With That's the Way of the World having made Earth, Wind & Fire one of the best-selling soul bands of the 1970s, Maurice White and co. had no problem filling large arenas. As dynamic as EWF was on-stage, it's a shame that there isn't more documentation of the band's live show. Only one live EWF album was released by a major label in America, the superb Gratitude. First a two-LP set and later reissued on CD, Gratitude brilliantly captures the excitement EWF generated on-stage at its creative peak. Neither hardcore EWF devotees nor more casual listeners should deprive themselves of the joys of the live versions of "Shining Star" and "Yearnin' Learnin'." Maurice White is magnificent throughout, and Philip Bailey truly soars on extended versions of "Reasons" (which boasts a memorable alto sax solo by guest Don Myrick) and "Devotion." The album also introduced some excellent new studio songs, including the haunting "Can't Hide Love" and the uplifting "Sing a Song." One could nitpick and wish for live versions of "Evil," "Keep Your Head to the Sky," and "Kalimba Song," but the bottom line is that Gratitude is one of EWF's finest accomplishments. ---Alex Henderson, AllMusic Review

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Earth And Fire – To The World Of The Future (1975)

2010-06-25T12:35:44Z

Earth And Fire – To The World Of The Future (1975)


01. To The World Of The Future (Chris Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 11:30	
02. How Time Flies (Ton van der Kleij) - 3:17 	
03. The Last Seagull (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts/Theo Hurts) - 7:34 	
04. Only Time Will Tell (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 3:40
05. Voice From Yonder (Theo Hurts) - 6:58 	
06. Love Of Life (Chris Koerts/Gerard Koerts/Hans Ziech) - 3:07 	
07. Circus (Gerard Koerts/Jerney Kaagman) - 6:12 	

Personnel:
- Jerney Kaagman - lead female vocals 
- Chris Koerts - electric & acoustic guitar, synthesizer [Arp Odyssey], vocals
- Gerard Koerts - organ, piano, mellotron, synthesizer [Arp, Compac, Arp Odyssey], 
   clavinet [D.6 Hohner], electric piano [Fender Rhodes]
- Theo Hurts - bass, acoustic guitar
- Ton van der Kleij - drums, percussion, bells, xylophone 
+  
- Neppy - congas
- T. Tieman Van De Laars - harp
- Pete Souer - Arranged By [Choir Arrangements]

This top notch Dutch band from The Hague had their pinnacle during the early Seventies when they delivered some outstanding 24 carat symphonic rock albums. EARTH AND FIRE was founded by the twin brothers Chris (guitar) and Gerard (keyboards) Koerts in '68. Soon bass player Hans Ziech, drummer Kees Kalis and singer Lisette joined them. Unfortunately Lisette had to give up singing because of a serious eye-disease and Kees Kalis left. They were replaced by Ton v/d Kley and the beautiful, very sexy Jerney Kaagman. She was a discovery by GOLDEN EARRING singer Barry Hay, they knew each other from the blossoming rock scene in The Hague.

When EARTH AND FIRE had a hugh success with three Sixties poprock oriented singles "Seasons", "Ruby is the one" and "Wild and exciting" (in '70 all reached the Dutch Top 5), the band decided to become professionals. Gerard Koerts bought a Mellotron, this instrument changed the Dutch progrock history because EARTH AND FIRE used it for a more lush symphonic keyboard sound. Eventually they developed a very unique progrock style (a bit similar to the French progrock band SANDROSE and UK band JULIAN'S TREATMENT featuring lots of organ, Mellotron, strong and sensitive electric guitar and distinctive vocals from Jerney Kaagman. And EARTH & FIRE remained successful with their single releases, the Mellotron drenched "Storm and Thunder" ('72, #6), "Memories" ('72, #1), "Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight" ('73, #3) and "Love of Life" ('74, #2) all reached the Dutch Top 10. Also the albums in that era sold very well and gained worldwide recognition: "Songs of the Marching Children" ('71, reaching #12), "Atlantis" ('73, reaching #6) and "To the World of the Future" ('75, reaching #7) are considered as 'progrock classics', especially in Japan EARTH & FIRE is even more popular than FOCUS! Gradually their sound turned into more poppy, culminating into the success of the very commercial song Weekend, reaching #1 and remaining 13 weeks in the charts! Also the following albums "Gate to Infinity" ('77), Reality Fills Fantasy" ('79, reaching #2)), "Andromeda Girl" ('81, reaching #12)) and "In a State of Flux" "82) lost most of the symhonic ingredients.

The albums "Song of the Marching Children" and "Atlantis" belong to the best of the Dutch progrock history. The epic title tracks from both albums (between 16 and 19 minutes) are recommended: the sound is very warm and melodic with lots of changing atmospheres, accelerations and surprising breaks. The one moment you hear a mellow organ, twanging acoustic guitars and a fairy-like voice from Jerney, the other moment there are bombastic eruptions with majestic Mellotron, heavy floods of organ and some fiery electric guitar work, topped by the powerful voice of Jerney. By the way, she has been married for almost 30 years with Bert Ruiter, former bass player from FOCUS...! ---progarchives.com

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