RARE BIRD – BEAUTIFUL SCARLET: THE RECORDINGS (1969-1975) (Esoteric Recordings) (CD boxset) (part one: the first album)

Rare Bird existed for just six years but what a six years! Each album provided something unique, labelled under progressive rock but not so easily pigeonholed. The bittersweet ‘You Went Away; finishes with a short drum solo (Mark Ashton), for heaven’s sake. It is 1969 and Rare Bird would enjoy success with ‘Sympathy’, later covered by Marillion. They also had two keyboard players: David Kafinetti (piano. Synth) and Graham Field (organ). Steve Gould was the bassist/ vocalist, sounding a bit like Lee Jackson of The Nice at times. There are a few weak spots but songs like ‘Iceberg’, ‘You Went Away’, ‘God of War’, ‘Sympathy’ and ’Beautiful Scarlet (Great drumming) more than make up for it. The band also had the distinction of being the first release on the Charisma label. Included in the box set is the B-side of ‘Sympathy’, ‘The Devil’s High Concern’ (listen to the keyboard exchanges) which should have been on the album. Martin C Strong, the great rock discographer, says that the album sounded a bit naïve in places showcased a ‘class act’ in the stronger material- it gets a 75% rating which I think is fair.