Gracious - Gracious!/This Is (double cd) remastered

Pressing: UK
Year: 1970
Genre: prog psych
Packaging: cd

From the Tapastry of Delights: A heavy progressive outfit whose recordings all attract interest from collectors. Basically we're talking progressive symphonic rock here with a lush mellotron sound. The first album, which has been reissued on Beat Goes On with the original artwork, begins with a pretentious Introduction, which gives way to Heaven, an acoustic guitar and mellotron number followed by the heavier Hell, which is full of distorted vocals, unnerving keyboards and phased percussion. Side two kicks off with the more laid back Fugue In 'D' Minor, which features some pleasant guitar and harpsichord work. This is followed by the lengthy The Dream with frantic vocals, swirling keyboards and some thumping drum work. Their second album came on the budget-priced Philips International label. It included the majestic Blood Red Sun, but the band folded soon after its release.