LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

180g LP, thick paste on cover

Audience is one of the most interesting groups in the British panorama of the late sixties / early seventies. Their sound was a manifestation of their desire to experiment with and masterfully blend different musical styles, such as rock, folk, jazz, and blues. If we must make comparisons, Jethro Tull immediately leaps to mind, particularly for the band's use of flute.

Audience gained moderate notoriety thanks to their constant gigging, and they soon released this 1969 self-titled debut, which featured an excellent use of (predominantly acoustic) guitar (Howard Werth) and equally high-quality flute, sax and clarinet playing (Keith Gemmell), not to mention the distinctive voice of Werth, and their simple, but effective arrangements (in a period when pomp prog rock reigned supreme). "Maiden's Cry," brings to mind "Stairway To Heaven," but it was actually written two years before the Zeppelin-penned opus. Now available also on 180 gram vinyl.

Track listing:

Side A:

1. Banquet
2. Poet
3. Waverley Stage Coach
4. River Boat Queen
5. Harlequin
6. Heaven Was An Island
7. Too Late I'm Gone Bonus Track:
8. Paper Round

Side B:

1. Maidens Cry
2. Pleasant Convalescence
3. Leave It Unsaid
4. Man On Box
5. House On The Hill Bonus Tracks:
6. The Going Song
7. Troubles