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Saturday, 13 August 2011
The Staple Singers - Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Rare R&B/Soul US 1960)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster
The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples (1914–2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (b. 1934), Pervis (b. 1935), Yvonne (b. 1936), and Mavis (b. 1939). They are best known for their 1970s hits "I'll Take You There", "Respect Yourself", and "Let's Do It Again".
The family began appearing in Chicago-area churches in 1948, and signed their first professional contract in 1952. During their early career they recorded in an acoustic gospel-folk style with various labels: United Records, Vee-Jay Records (their "Uncloudy Day" and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" were best sellers), Checker Records, Riverside Records, and then Epic Records in 1965. While the family surname is "Staples", the group used the singular form for its name, resulting in the group's name being "The Staple Singers".
It was on Epic that the Staple Singers began moving into mainstream pop markets, with "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" and "For What It's Worth" (Stephen Stills) in 1967. In 1968, the Staple Singers signed to Stax Records and released two albums with Steve Cropper and Booker T & the MG's — Soul Folk in Action and We'll Get Over. By 1970, Al Bell had become producer, and with Engineer Terry Manning, the family began recording at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, and Memphis' Ardent Studios, moving in a more funk and soul direction.
The first Stax hit was "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)". Their 1971 recording of "Respect Yourself", written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, peaked at #2 on the R&B charts and was a #12 pop hit as well. The song's theme of self-empowerment had universal appeal, released in the period immediately following the intense American civil rights movement of the 1960s. In 1972, the group had a huge #1 hit in the United States with "I'll Take You There". It topped both pop and R&B charts. "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" would become another big hit, reaching #9 pop and #1 on the R&B chart in 1973.
Then, after Stax's bankruptcy in 1975, they signed to Curtis Mayfield's label, Curtom Records, and released "Let's Do It Again", produced by Mayfield; the song became their second #1 pop hit in the US and the album also. In 1976, they collaborated with The Band for their film The Last Waltz, performing on the song "The Weight" (which The Staple Singers had previously covered on their first Stax album). However, they were not able to regain their momentum, releasing only occasional minor hits. Their 1984 album Turning Point featured their final Top 40 hit, a cover of Talking Heads' "Slippery People" (which also reached the Top 5 on the Dance chart). In 1994, they again performed the song "The Weight" with Country music artist Marty Stuart for MCA Nashville's Rhythm, Country and Blues compilation, somewhat re-establishing an audience. The song "Respect Yourself" was used by Spike Lee in the soundtrack to his movie Crooklyn, made in 1994.
In 1999, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pops Staples died of complications from a concussion suffered in December 2000. In 2005, the group was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Mavis Staples has continued to carry on the family tradition and continues to add her vocal talents to both the projects of other artists and her own solo ventures.
01. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
02. Too Close
03. Come on in Glory
04. Don't Drive Me Away
05. Don't Knock
06. So Soon
07. Somebody Saved Me
08. Pray On
09. Downward Road
10. Let's Go Home
11. Each Day
12. Uncloudy Day
13. Let's Me Ride
14. Help Me Jesus
15. I'm Coming Home
16. If I Could Hear My Mother
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/1223874485/Staple_Singers.rar
or
2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/0ZIQJ4GX/Staple_Singers.rar
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Ash Ra Tempel - Starring Rosi (Progressive Rock, Germany 1973)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan SHM-CD Remaster
Ash Ra Tempel was a German band centred around innovative guitarist Manuel Gottsching. 'Starring Rosi' is not as 'cosmic' as the previous albums but certainly has its moments. It is also quite accessible. Rosi Muller was Manuel's girlfriend at the time of this album and she contributes spoken words throughout, and to good effect. 'Laughter Loving' is a lengthy, cheerful song (with hints of country-rock) which features wonderful wah-wah guitaring, some droning synth, and a strong rhythmic prescence, with some echoed laughing from Rosi at the start and the end.
'Day-Dream' is just that - a very stoned and dreamy 2 chord sequence, strummed on acoustic guitar with some nice lead electric guitar lines, with spoken lines from Rosi, repeated by Manuel's singing. Nice, for sure. Next up is an all-too- brief instrumental piece 'Schizo', which creates a very detatched, spacey atmosphere, built around Manuel's affected and highly emotive guitar-lines. This could've been a side-long jam. 'Cosmic Tango' is a funky little number, with Rosi's take on space-whisper (not unlike Gong's Gilli Smyth) and is pretty cool.
The almost 9 min 'Interplay of Forces' starts out with the most spacey section of the album, again reminding one of French space-rockers GONG, which eventually gives way to another lengthy jam in a similar, hippie style as 'Laughter Loving'. 'The Fairy Dance' is a pretty little instrumental track, with some synth and Mellotron to boot, very pastoral. Last song is 'Bring Me Up', which is a funky, blues tune, with a jammy vibe and more of Manuel's magical guitaring. [progarchives.com]
01. Laughter Loving (8:00)
02. Day Dream (5:21)
03. Schizo (2:47)
04. Cosmic Tango (2:06)
05. Interplay Of Forces (8:58)
06. The Fairy Dance (3:07)
07. Bring Me Up (4:33)
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/1871476217/AshRaTempelRosi.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/WJYYJLUH/AshRaTempelRosi.rar
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Babylon - Selftitled (Progressive Rock US 1977)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan SHM-CD Remaster
The state of Florida isn't what you call a hotbed of prog rock. Usually when you think of that state's rock scene, you think of some of the southern rock bands that resided there, amongst them, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, .38 SPECIAL, BLACKFOOT, and MOLLY HATCHET. But coming out of St. Petersburgh came BABYLON. The band consisted of:
Rick Leonard: bass, voice, bass pedals / Doroccus: Lead voice, synthesizers, electric piano, Orchestron, Omni / Rodney Best: drums, percussives / J. David Boyko: guitars, muted variations thereof / G.W. Chambers: synthesizers, acoustic and electric piano, orchestron, Omni, voice
Of course the Omni refers to the ARP Omni, a combination string synth/polyphonic synth (that's basically an ARP String Ensemble with the very basic features of the Odyssey). The electric piano in this case is the RMI Electric Piano/Harpsichord, as what Tony BANKS used on "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and Rick WAKEMAN used while with YES and on "The Six Wives of Henry the VIII".
Far from trying to sound like SKYNYRD, like many bands of the time in that region often did, they much preferred the sounds of early, GABRIEL-led GENESIS and of YES. BABYLON released their one and only album in 1978, locally on the U.S. Artists label (it also says "Mehum Music" on the label, as well, but only on side one of the LP). In 1989, a small, up and coming prog label out of California owned by Greg Walker called Syn-Phonic released two albums of live archival material, "Night over Never" and "Better Conditions" for the DEAD.
Anyway the music of BABYLON is very influenced by GENESIS, with some YES thrown in, so originality isn't on their side. Doroccus oddly sounds more like MARILLION's FISH than of Peter GABRIEL (although there's a section of "The Mote in God's Eye" where he sounds like SUPERTRAMP's Roger Hodgson), so the MARILLION comparison does often surface, although this is from 1978, five years before "Script of a Jester's Tear". And if you dread MARILLION, don't worry, as it sticks in the classic prog vein, with lots of great HACKETT-like guitars, great use of Moog and string synths, and lots of lengthy and complex passage for those diehard-in-the-wool progheads who straightforward three minute long songs won't do. That means if you fear a proto-neo-prog album, rest easy. Certainly the vocals need a little getting used to, because it's more dramatic than GABRIEL (or even FISH), and there is more that "modern" feel that isn't the most appealing to me. The album has only four lengthy cuts, so the proghead who want lengthy epics won't be disappointed. Another album this reminds me of is a little of CATHEDRAL's "Stained Glass Stories", except without the KING CRIMSON and proto-ÄNGLAGARD sound (and with more the emphasis on the GENESIS style).
Well, back on the subject of the music, basically if you don't mind the sound of a prog rock band obviously influenced by GENESIS (but not an outright clone), and you don't mind some of the "modern-ish" sounding vocals, then I can highly recommend this album.
This band hails from Florida with influences of early GENESIS and GENTLE GIANT as well. It was formed in 1976 by Rick Leonard, Rodney Best, Doroccas, J. David Boyko, and Gary Chambers. Excellent vocals by Doroccas are the stronger characteristics here. Hard Rock driven passages are constant on this unique album of this fabulous band. BABYLON is firmly set in the ways of the classic 70s bands, with great analog keyboard work and extraordinarily adept musicianship. They released only one album in 1978 and broke up that same year. They became very popular among prog fans after its re-issue on CD by Syn-Phonic. Two live albums (low quality) were released by Syn-Phonic after their breakup which contains their entire track list from their album plus several songs which were not on that original release. [progarchives.com]
01. The Mote In God's Eye (7:00)
02. Before The Fall (10:54)
03. Dreamfish (9:12)
04. Cathedral Of The Mary Ruin (7:38)
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/2864195605/Babylon.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/0RVIZMJU/Babylon.rar
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Friday, 12 August 2011
Il Rovescio Della Medaglia - Contaminazione (Progressive Rock, Italy 1973
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
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Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster
It's about time I got this original, Italian language album. For many years, I've been familiar with the English language version, "Contamination", because I owned the Italian RCA LP of it. Well let's say I like the original "Contaminazione" even better. Not that it sounds any different, vocals aside, of course, but that this album was meant to be sung in Italian, and the English vocals on "Contamination" seem a bit unnatural for the band (like what PFM did on "Photos of Ghosts"). OK, I noticed some slight differences in some of the places (for one, I didn't notice any trumpets at the end of "Contamination", and some of the studio effects on the vocals are a bit different).
Well prior to "Contaminazione", RDM released two hard rock albums, "Io Come Io" in '72 and "La Bibbia" in '71. Neither album too well liked by prog rock fans, although I have to admit "La Bibbia" isn't all that bad (it's pretty rough and unpolished hard rock with prog trappings and don't compare it with "Contaminazione" / "Contamination", you should be fine), although I hadn't heard "Io Come Io" yet. But figuring they couldn't keep going the hard rock direction, the band added a keyboard played and became the legend of Italian prog people associate them with.
Italian seventies progressive rock band playing dynamic prog with many rhythm changes. Their first album called "La Bibbia" is a concept work based on the early parts of the Bible. They used a classical orchestra on "Contaminazione", a classical rock album based on the life and works of Bach. Very kayboards oriented in the vein of ELP, heavy guitars and a tight rhythm section, much variation: this is great stuff!
01. Absent for this Consumed World (1:05)
02. Ora non ricordo piu (1:47)
03. Il suono del silenzio (5:16)
04. Mi sono svegliato e... ho chiuso gli occhi (4:19)
05. Lei sei tu: Lei (2:04)
06. La mia musica (4:10)
07. Johann (1:23)
08. Scotland Machine (3:06)
09. Cella 503 (3:18)
10. Contaminazione 1760 (1:04)
11. Alzo un muro elettrico (2:55)
12. Sweet Suite (2:17)
13. La grande fuga (3:42)
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/2147796430/Contaminazione.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/0NW2O2C3/Contaminazione.rar
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Curved Air - Second Album (Progressive Rock UK 1972)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: chrisGoesRock
Artwork included
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster
CURVED AIR are one of those bands from classic period of prog development that I missed checking while being a crazy fan of record buying in my teens. I had only heard of their fame and occasionally read a few articles in magazines but never had I stumbled upon any of their albums. Especially in time when THE POLICE were popular during New Wave, I occasionally found their name connected with drummer S. Copeland and I was like "hmmmm, what's this?"
I got a sample listening to "Back Street Luv" and it immediately caught my attention. But when I listened to the whole "Second Album" I could not help but wondering - how is possible this music never got much popularity like other bands from the era? To be sure, this is 1971, the year when classic prog acts like YES or GENESIS just released their first fully developed albums. "Second Album" is surely not worse than "Nursery" or "Yes Album", and in some respect it is even equally interesting. Female vocal and electric violin gives unique listening experience that was not often found at that time. Sonja Kristina is perhaps not so elaborated or skilled vocalist like Sandy Denny or Annie Haslam but she is firm, energetic, emotional and delivers excellent songs. "Young Mother", "Backstreet Luv", "Puppets" and "Pieace of Mind" are prog masterpieces with very good of combination between violin, organ, synths and guitars, all arranged in largely vivid, rhythmic songs. "You Know" with its combination of male/female vocals, hints at JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, with excellent guitar solo. Mellotron-filled "Puppets" is one of the best prog ballads I heard.
I don't know whether I would the same opinon, had I heard this long time back but now I can only say - wow! This is an unjustly forgotten gem of British progressive rock of early 1970s and should be given a second chance. Now or never!
1972 was the year of "Phantasmagoria", with Mike Wedgwood as bass guitarist. After a long tourney the band fell apart and Way formed the WOLF, while CURVED AIR showed a new line-up with Eddy Jobson as violinist, but they will never reach the performance level of the early two albums. In 1973, after "Air Cut" (with a sound hard oriented), Wedgwood joined with CARAVAN and Jobson with ROXY MUSIC. The four members of the original project made the first reunion in 1975 for a tourney (album "Curved Air Live"). Afterwards Kristina and Way carried on with drummer Stewart Copeland, bassist Tony Reeves, guitarist Mick Jacques and released "Midnight Wire". Their last album was "Airborne", published in 1976. The second reunion of the four former members was in 1990 for a concert in London (album "Alive 1990"). In the same year was released an album of previously unissued tracks recorded in 1973 ("Lovechild"). Finally, in 1995, an album of BBC sessions, called "Live at BBC". [progarchives.com]
01. Young Mother (5:55)
02. Back Street Luv (3:38)
03. Jumbo (4:11)
04. You Know (4:11)
05. Puppets (5:26)
06. Everdance (3:08)
07. Bright summer's day 68 (2:54)
08. Piece of Mind (12:52)
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/206783978/Curved_Air2.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/WN9IB44B/Curved_Air2.rar
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Trapeze - You Are the Music, We're Just the Band (Great Rock/Hardrock UK 1972)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
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Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster
Trapeze were an English rock band formed in March 1969, by vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley (who named the band), with guitarist Mel Galley, singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland. The band had a fairly fluid line up, finally dissolving in 1994, and although they never found commercial success themselves, several members went on to join better known bands, including Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Judas Priest, and Uriah Heep.
The core and most familiar line-up of the band was Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley, and Dave Holland. After Glenn Hughes' departure in June 1973, Galley and Holland kept the band together with constantly varying members until 1979, when Holland went on to join Judas Priest. Holland tried to revive the band in 1990, after leaving Priest, but the band finally broke up in 1994. Their first three albums remain their best known and most commercially successful.
Trapeze was formed in 1969 by vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley (both former members of the band 'Montanas') with guitarist Mel Galley, singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland. Trapeze issued its self-titled debut album Trapeze in 1970, but early that year Jones and Rowley returned to Montanas. In late 1970 the more familiar trio of Galley, Hughes, and Holland surfaced for the first time with the album Medusa. Trapeze would tour as this trio until early 1973. The band toured mostly in the UK and the Southern U.S. Their commercial success was minimal up to this point. You Are the Music...We're Just the Band was released in 1972. Glenn Hughes left the band after the 1973 tour to replace Roger Glover in Deep Purple. After the departure of Hughes the band's profile and sales grew, mostly based on the first three albums with Hughes; but their concert base grew as well, with them playing small arenas all over the U.S.
01."Keepin' Time (Mel Galley, Tom Galley)" – 3:41
02."Coast To Coast (Glenn Hughes)" – 3:56
03."What Is A Woman's Role? (Hughes)" – 5:39
04."Way Back To The Bone (Hughes)" – 5:24
05."Feelin' So Much Better Now (Hughes)" – 3:36
06."Will Our Love End (Hughes)" – 5:03
07."Loser (Mel Galley, Tom Galley)" – 4:37
08."You Are The Music, We're Just The Band (Mel Galley, Tom Galley)" – 5:13
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/1913633707/Trapeze.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/1SQZYFSJ/Trapeze.rar
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Not to be missed: Heaven & Earth - Refuge (Superb Acid Folk US 1973)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
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Source: Korean 24-Bit Remaster
A female psychedelic duo's sole album released in 1973. Very well polished folk, pop and psychedelic sound with Anita Kerr Singers harmonies.
Whatever your musical taste, psych-folk, funk, soft rock… this LP seems to fit perfectly. Should appeal to fans of BJ Ward, Wendy & Bonnie, Linda Perhacs, Christine Harwood, Sunforest, Margo Guryan, Lyn Christopher, Barbara & Ernie...
Recorded through October & November at Streeterville Studios, Chicago. Produced by Dick Schory & George Andrews. Solo voice- Jo D. Andrews, 2nd Voice- Pat Gefell. Acoustic guitars- Pat Gefell, Charles Chittenden, Ron Steele. Flute & Echoplex- Arthur Lauer. Congas & Bongos- Bobby Christian. Strings arranged & conducted by- George Andrews. Strings- Joseph Golan, Joseph Sciacchitano, Samuel Magad, Jerry Sabranski, Fred Spector, William Schoen. Vocal Arrangements by Jo D Andrews.
01.Jenny 3:20
02.Voice in the Wind 2:34
03.To a Flame 2:29
04.Tomorrow Is a Long Time 4:11
05.Refuge 2:25
06.Sixty Years On 3:53
07.Song for Craig 2:45
08.Tell Me How to Know You 2:40
09.A Light Is Shining 2:35
10.Feel the Spirit 4:43
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/3702727438/Heaven_Earth.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/8UW0CAIR/Heaven_Earth.rar
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Sunday, 7 August 2011
Magna Carta - Seasons (Progressive Rock UK 1970)
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Invluded
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster
Magna Carta present something of a quandary when attempting to pin them down to a sub-genre. Their roots are very much in the same folk rock territory as bands such as FAIRPORT CONVENTION and THE STRAWBS, perhaps even extending as far west as SIMON AND GARFUNKEL at times (Glen Stuart's voice is similar to Art's). In their early days however, they signed to the Vertigo (swirl) label for this their second album, finding themselves alongside such bands as BEGGAR'S OPERA, BLACK SABBATH, and COLLOSEUM.
It is a chicken and egg question as to how much the label influenced their direction, and to what extent their already planned direction led to their signing for Vertigo, but the results are a unique blend of folk and progressive elements. The first track we are presented with here is a 22 minute suite based on the four seasons of the year. After a spoken prologue, the gentle acoustic "Winter song" introduces us to the wonderful vocal harmonies of the band, seductively accompanied by acoustic guitar. Various themes are explored as the suite move quickly along. For this album, the band is a trio, but various guest musicians such as Rick Wakeman, Dave Johnstone and Tim Renwick, plus the London Symphony Orchestra create sympathetic but never intrusive sound-scapes on which the band build their supremely melodic pictures. The suite is primarily based around vocals and occasional spoken word, any instrumental breaks being brief and usually in the form of segues. This is though a magical work, spellbinding in its unique beauty.
The album closes with the band's minor hit single "Airport song". This is "Homeward bound" part two, with pleasant orchestration. The lyrics and light melody make a fog bound delay sound positively desirable.
Bearing in mind this album was released in 1970, well before many of its contemporaries, it shows Magna Carta to be a band of great imagination and ambition, unafraid to make the type of highly melodic music they came to develop over the coming years.
A wonderful album of deceptive simplicity. Nice sleeve too.
MAGNA CARTA is an English 'folk' band, formed in 1969 in London by Chris Simpson, Lyell Tranter, and Glen Stuart. They were part of the early progressive wave, but without really fully stepping into the progressive realm. Magna Carta's music is largely inspired and influenced by the folk of Simon & Garfunkel, focussing on soft and gentle acoustic music, often with a traditional feel, augmented with orchestral arangements and good vocal harmonies. Influences and similar artist include the already mentioned Simon & garfunkel, Fairport Convention, Kevin Ayers, Moody Blues, Amazing Blondel, Caravan, Al Stewart, the softer folk/singer songwriter genre and Canterbury genre.
MAGNA CARTA has gone through numerous personel changes over the years, with the only constant factor being Chris Simpson. Most notable members include Glen Stuart, an amazing vocalist with a great range, Lyell Tranter, who soon departed for Australia to be replaced by Davey johnstone on guitars (left Magna Carta to join Elton John as long time band member), and Linda Taylor who would later merry Chris Simpson.
Between 1969 and 1975 MAGNA CARTA made some wonderfull albums, with the beautifull "Seasons' and 'Lord Of The Ages' as absolute highlights. Also the live album "In Concert" recorded in 1971 in Amsterdam is not to be missed. With the leaving of Glen Stuart the magical beauty was lost, and for a while the band seemed to fall apart. Chris Simpson however managed to keep the band alive and MAGNA CARTA continoud making nice highly enjoyable music.
01. Seasons (22:14)
- Prologue
- Winter Song
- Spring Poem
- Spring Song
- Summer Poem
- Summer Song
- Autumn Song
- Epilogue
- Winter Song (reprise)
02. Going my Way (2:55)
03. Elizabethan (2:38)
04. Give me no Goodbye (3:10)
05. Ring of Stones (3:49)
06. Scarecrow (2:17)
07. Airport Song (3:41)
1. https://rapidshare.com/files/1654977944/Magna_Carta.rar
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2. http://uploadmirrors.com/download/1OF9KZEC/Magna_Carta.rar
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