Album Club - Week 61: 02.10.2012: Cressida - Cressida (1970) & Asylum (1971)

[Alex_UK]

This week - a double-whammy comes courtesy of André - so no surprise that it is some classic early prog, but a small surprise that it is "buy one get one free" week - two morsels for your delectation... :eyebrows:




Here's some clasic early prog i chose for this weeks album club..both of their albums originally released on the the legendary Swirl Vertigo label, home to some of my fav acts.
I chose to include both the bands studio LP’s here as they are pretty much simular stylewise to each other & i could never say which i prefer out of the two tbh..The self titled debut LP (V07) & ‘Asylum’ (6360 025) both 1st issues fetch large chunky of cash on the used market..

I’ll not go babbling on about the band as they have a nice web page to feast your eyes upon (Linked Below).. Quite recently a Vinyl LP entitled ‘Trapped In Time’ offered as a 500 Ltd Edition through record collector magazine, but good news however is that Esoteric Recordings have it on CD with two additional tracks not found on the Vinyl edition.. If you fancy the two Swirly albums, they can also be found on the Esoteric Recording catalogue entitled ‘The Vertigo Years Anthology 1969-1971’ remastered from the original master tapes, also included are additional bonus tracks.

http://www.cressida-group.co.uk/

So sit it back & enjoy some top notch pastorial style prog tell everyone what you think.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kEM33rclL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51raKjjuHXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
http://open.spotify.com/album/0i6zoDLlffB79SLOcaE036 http://open.spotify.com/album/38238RDHoRDbSl5e9DbDWo

[MartinT]

Listening now, Andr'e. The intro sounds promising...

[Tim]

I'm looking forward to these :D

[Ashmore]

Fabulous choice - I so nearly picked Cressida a few week's ago for my round. I like both of these albums very much, but I think Asylum pips it for me.

I read that they reformed recently to play a live gig or two. Maybe there'll be further great music from them yet...

[RichB]

Another 8 from me. I'm totally unfamiliar with this band so coming to this one with an open mind but usually partial to a bit of prog.

Havent got to Asylum yet but Cressida has stayed on my machine and I'm enjoying what I'm hearing. God bless album club for introducing us to new 'old' artists, listening with an open mind is what its all about.

Theres some nice keyboard work on these albums and I'll be referencing them to the player in my band to check out. Love those organ sounds just at the right level in the mix... they dont blast you in the face like some do and when its solo time they come forward just enough before fading back into the mix again. Well produced I'd say.

[MartinT]

Very enjoyable indeed. I particularly like Down Down. 8/10 for me.

[Bazil]

Not heard of Cressida, although the Asylum cover is familiar.

[Tim]

An excellent choice André, took me back to my yoof'

I listened to these back to back today and started with S/T before playing Asylum, I picked the right order for me. I liked Cressida but I found the tracks a little too short for my liking, however I really like Asylum, especially Munich and Let them come when they will, which coincidently are the longest pieces. I think I like the structure of the longer works and I will be looking to buy Asylum. Reminded me a lot of Caravan in places.

I think if I scored them individually it would be 8 for Cressida and 9 for Asylum, but I'm going to give it 9/10 as its good to have something a little different in Album Club.

Nice one fella :)

EDIT:
Well that was easy, both albums are available as a two for one on Amazon, so I guess I'll be getting this one.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cressida-Asylum/dp/B001VG2MNK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1349284739&sr=8-3

[MartinT]

both albums are available as a two for one on Amazon

Good spot, Tim. Now purchased :)

[Audioman]

Just listening on Spotify - sounds promising. Remember the cover of the 2nd album but frankly these passed me by in the 70's. Original swirl vinyl for the first album is £500 to £1K on ebay :eek:

[MartinT]

I received the double remastered CD yesterday. Been enjoying Asylum at home and in the car this morning.

Thanks for the intro, Andr'e.

[sparrow]

8/10 from me...very good albums...nothing jumps out.. but well played and produced music which appeals to my tastes..

[Tim]

I received the double remastered CD yesterday. Been enjoying Asylum at home and in the car this morning.

Thanks for the intro, Andr'e.
Yup, I really like Asylum too Martin.

[MartinT]

Actually, I've decided I like Cressida even more than Asylum. Great stuff!

[sparrow]

Actually, I've decided I like Cressida even more than Asylum. Great stuff!

Me too..although both are very good obscure 70's prog albums.

[Bazil]

Just listened to both albums, what a lovely evening of music. 8/10