Cathedral - Stained Glass Stories (1978)

Excelente banda do rock progressivo americano, Cathedral têm suas raízes numa banda psicodélica chamada Odyssey. Quando essa banda se separou em 1975, o baixista Fred Callan e o tecladista Tom Doncourt formaram o grupo com o baterista Mercury Caronia IV, o guitarrista Rudy Perrone, e Paul Seal nos vocais. Fãs de bandas como King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, e Gentle Giant, Tom Doncourt se refere a elas como um som "majestoso", o projeto naturalmente singrou na veia prog

Em 1978 eles se reuniram com a Delta Records, e gravaram "Stained Glass Stories". 10.000 cópias foram impressas e vendidas. 

New York City em si era um território fértil para o rock progressivo na época. Tom Doncourt conta histórias de transformar antigas salas de cinema em salas de concerto para encontros de uma única noite. A banda despertou o interesse da Atlantic Records. Eles tiveram algumas reuniões, mas já no fim dos anos 70, a popularidade do prog tinha diminuído sensivelmente, o que provavelmente impossibilitou um segundo álbum.

Com o passar do tempo a escola do progressivo resgatou seu merecido prestígio, e ainda ganhou diversas ramificações. Hoje em dia "Stained Glass Stories" é um álbum cobiçado por colecionadores, altamente valorizado, e muito elogiado pela crítica. Alguns até o consideram o melhor álbum prog americano do período.

Com o interesse renovado no progressivo, em 1990 a gravadora Syn-Phonic re-lançou o álbum em CD. O reconhecimento alcançado por Cathedral finalmente fez jus a qualidade de sua obra, e também a assinatura de um contrato com a conceituada gravadora Musea, Em 2007 lançaram seu segundo álbum "The Bridge". Boa audição!

Cathedral

Stained Glass Stories (1978)

Tracklist

1 Introspect 12:39
2 Gong 7:00
3 The Crossing 5:59
4 Days & Changes 8:39
5 The Search 11:24


Band:

Fred Callan - Bass, Effects [Moog Bass Pedals], Voice
Mercury Caronia IV - Drums, Cymbal [Cymbals], Gong [Gongs], Vibraphone [Vibes], Bells, 
Timpani [Kettle Drums], Percussion, Effects [Assorted Devices] 
Rudy Perrone - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [6-string], Guitar [Nylon], Voice 
Tom Doncourt - Keyboards, Glockenspiel, Percussion, Sounds 
Paul Seal - Lead Vocals, Percussion, Effects [Bass Pedals] 

FLAC

mega.co.nz  - (277,70 MB)

Stained Glass Stories [full album]

Musea Records (Notes):

A rarity to be absolutely discovered, especially if you're a fan of YES, GENTLE GIANT and GENESIS. Of the first mentioned group, a complex instrumentation, virtuoso and inspired, a Chris SQUIRE type of bass, a Steve HOWE-like guitar, a Bill BRUFORD style of drums, etc... can be found. Of the other two bands, "Stained Glass Stories" inherited an ethereal romanticism and subtly arranged polyphonies. Depending on the moment, the vocals can evoke John WETTON, Peter GABRIEL or even Jon ANDERSON. Some parts can even remind of ANGLAGARD, even if those only recorded their first album about fifteen years later... Anyway, this is Seventies American Progressive rock at its best. Moreover, "Stained Glass Stories" is often quoted as an essential reference of the Seventies American scene. And for those who felt this was incomplete, here is the big comeback of CATHEDRAL, and with the (Quasi-)original line-up, for a treat ! The legend says that the keyboards player Tom DONCOURT was at a KING CRIMSON concert in 2003. This was so impressive that he decided to find again his partners, which was not so easy, in order to set to working on a second album. Nearly thirty years after the mythical "Stained Glass Stories", here it is at last, this so expected album ! The Musea label is proud to present the remastered version of "The Bridge" (2008), a gem that surprises both through its modernity and unbridled inventiveness. Not completely the CATHEDRAL that used to be, nor a pale imitation of KING CRIMSON (Even though the influences of its present incarnation are sensible), nor one more revival testimony of Seventies Progressive rock, this opus opens up new horizons, with exciting enthusiasm and ardour. Needless to say that the whole range of vintage sounds is there, starting with Mellotron, acoustic guitar ala Steve HACKETT ("Kitharia Interludium"), some nice electric cavalcades on the six-stringed instrument, and a noteworthy huge bass sound. Although this is not a true concept album, the various tracks are linked by a peal that doesn't quite sound merrily. Who's that death knell for ? Maybe the answer lies within the beautiful epic "Hollins" and its memorable guitar solo: a voyage through a dark and frightening forest, directly from the childhood memories of Tom DONCOURT... Enough to make your blood freeze !