DRUID - Toward The Sun (1975 Symphonic Prog • United Kingdom ):Full Album

Founded in Berkhamsted, UK in 1971 - Disbanded in 1977 Here's another acclaimed YES-oriented progrock band named DRUID with Neil Brewer on bass guitar, Andrew McCrorie-Shand on keyboards, Cedric Sharpley on drums and percussion and 'Dane' on guitar and vocals. In '75 they released their debut-LP "Towards the Sun" and a year later a second album entitled "Fluid Druid". Their first effort is their best: fluent and melodic songs, layered with Mellotron, often in combination with sensitive electric guitarwork. The echoes from YES are obvious: lots of vocal harmonies, a Chris SQUIRE-like bass, WAKEMANesque keyboards and even the high-pitched vocals like Jon ANDERSON. But DRUID plays less complex and virtuosic, their pleasant sound appeals to me, more than the 24-carat YES-clone STARCASTLE. The second LP entitled "Fluid Druid" is in the vein of their first but less mature, as if the band is a bit running out of ideas. Nonetheless it's a nice album. : : : Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS: : : Tracks: 01. Voices (Andrew McCrorie-Shand/Dane Stevens) - 8:12 02. Remembering (Neil Brewer/Dane Stevens) - 5:21 03. Theme (Neil Brewer/Dane Stevens/Andrew McCrorie-Shand/Cedric Sharpley) - 5:22 04. Toward The Sun (Dane Steven) - 5:00 05. Red Carpet For An Autumn (Neil Brewer/Andrew McCrorie-Shand) - 3:09 06. Dawn Of Evening (Neil Brewer/Andrew McCrorie-Shand) - 09:58 07. Shangri-La (Neil Brewer/Dane Stevens) - 10:05 Personnel: - Dane Stevens - guitars, vocals - Andrew McCrorie-Shand - keyboards, choral arrangements - Neil Brewer - bass - Cedric Sharpley - drums, percussion + - Bob Harris - producer