Rock On! Wednesday, 30 October 2024 – Refugee, The Nice, Biglietto per L’inferno, Wigwam, Stardrive

Psychedelic, heavy, prog and more innovating sounds spanning the late 60s and the early 70s – Wednesday April 17th. Dan’s pick of the week: Refugee (Refugee), The Nice (Nice), Biglietto per L’inferno (Biglietto per L’inferno), Wigwam (Fairyport) & Stardrive (Stardrive).

Refugee is het enige studioalbum dat de gelijknamige band uitbracht. De band samengesteld uit twee exleden van The Nice en de Zwitser Moraz mochten van Charisma Records het album opnemen in de Island Studios, Notting Hill, Londen. Voordat de band de geluidsstudio introk gaf ze een aantal concerten; ook na het uitbrengen van het album volgden er een paar. Echter in augustus 1974 stapte Moraz over naar Yes en hield Refugee op te bestaan.

Prog Archives review: “Absolute gem and masterpiece. Really one of the top prog albums in history. Everythings seems to be perfectly on place here. Outstanding composition and instruments. Some seem to complain on Lee Jackson’s voice on this album, but for me it suits here perfectly. I think no other vocals could paint a better picture of amazing wonder of nature in Grand Canyon.

The sung part in this suite is one of the most epic and emotional thing i ever heard in prog rock. Other tracks also are top notch (Jackson makes another great vocal performance in Credo). It is really pity that Moraz left the band (even thought he recorded another masterpiece with Yes). But maybe this makes Refugee album even more special. This is surely a must have for any prog rock listener.”

Wednesday, 30 October 2024 12:00 noon CET Brussels – 11 a.m. GMT London. Repeated: 16:00 & 20:00 hrs CET Brussels, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. GMT London
Ends: 12 midnight CET Brussels, 11 p.m. GMT London.