A band that tried all out to make a progressive pop art rock masterpiece with composed, Genesis-like songs, pretentious lyrics, art rock artifices, Ethos-like in varied instrumentation, but didn't quite make it, in my opinion, though their hearts were in the right place. I guess I should just steal the other reviews that already exist online for this one, as I 'm sure you could dig up plenty of dirt on these guys. In this case, the usually apt apps says:
Another 70's US oddity, this time from Minnesota.Chalis' main songwriters were L. Jacobson, S. Germaine and M. Robinson, their sole effort was released in 1974/75 on the obscure Ellen Abby label, apparently a private one.The music is far from consistent and heading to nowhere, but the material is decent enough as a whole.A mix of Pop, Folk, Psych and Symphonic Rock, recalling the accesible tunes of Ambrosia and the softer side of Yes.Very good keyboard layers, some interesting guitar parts and even some flute in rare occasions, never becoming excessive or complex, but moving along a secure path of tight songwriting with sentimental vocals.However the bulk is built around cheesy multi-vocal harmonies, playful piano, acoustic guitar and a generally quite pedestrian atmosphere, where striking tunes were more important than music itself.And there are not so striking at the very end, many bands had built their career on better tunes.Still there is a huge instrumental background for an amateur group with synths, organ, acoustic/electric piano, flute and so on to keep things interesting all the way.Expensive yet rather mediocre production.
It's not as good as the earlier and similar Chakra, I get it. But it sure is cute. I guess there's a kind of Beatles-like music-hall tunesmanship that detracts a bit from the overall effort. On the other hand, that worked really well for the Baby Grand band, who managed to pull it off quite successfully, and who we all loved so much.
The rip (that I have) is good here, so I thought I'd share it. My favourite song, for a long time, is the title track, which came dead last, that sings Dreams are for those who are sleeping:
As an (amateur) pianist, I've always been impressed by the daring rhythm change that occurs halfway through, decorated in classic prog manner with the orchestra-like sounds of bass arpeggios, keyboard strings and the flute-like frills. It reminds me a lot of the gorgeous closer to the Ambush album.
Absolute gold, baby-- classic rock, as perfect as it got back then.
ReplyDeletehttps://www120.zippyshare.com/v/1KH6JPrl/file.html
https://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/n2tj0i
I am downloading this just because Chalis sounds like a cool group name and they where from Minnesota.
ReplyDelete"And You Alone" is a great tune, and several other tunes are really cool "pop" tunes as well.
ReplyDeleteNice vocal harmonies throughout. A shame they didn't last !
Thank you very much for sharing Julian !
From the bridge of the good ship Prog Off, watching a triple sunrise resembles the great ascending solo at around 4:40 of 'Beckoning Sister Rose'...or that killer jam at 5:35 of 'And You Alone' :) :) :)
ReplyDelete...the kind of rare moments that can change a person for all time.
Makes me think of those good music times,
like when I was at a small music festival near my house and the weather got so rainy cold that it ended early and I invited the entire festival back to my house to continue the fun, and fun 200+ friends did have with 4 impromptu bands jamming around the house and hills until the wee hours :) ;)
Or one dark and stormy Halloween and Master Julian advised the wise to beware of hidden treats that appeared on that night only ;) bwhahaha!
I still can't get enough of those wonderful Horror Pop Sounds!!!
And great times like when I stayed up all night ringing in the new year and millennium with 80,000 friends in the middle of the Everglades as our favorite band took the stage at midnight and played until dawn without stopping; in the words of the lead guitarist,
"One of the great nights on Earth, for me."
By now we are well outside the circles of time,
light-years from old worlds of worry
freely singing old fears away and pickin' up those good vibrations!
I'll end it with wise words from this great Lp,
"If you've learned by what you own,
Never leave your dreams untold..."
A+
Thank You bros
Thank You brother J :)