The Morrigan – Spirit Of The Soup(1985 UK Folk Rock, Prog Rock)Full Album

The Morrigan biography The MORRIGAN's music is a lively mixture of traditional Celtic folk with prog rock, sometimes leaning heavily in either direction. Their sound is distinctly original and full of magic vocals, their music made up of warm melodies wrapped up in rich arrangements (sometimes of their own composition, sometimes re-arranged traditional folk songs). Imagine a heavier sounding STEELEYE SPAN and then move them up a notch on the prog scale. The band originated in 1984 when Tom Foad, a guitarist from hard-rock/metal band The AVALANCHE, was looking for something a little more acoustic. Soon, singer/musician Cathy Alexander joined him, followed by bassist Cliff Eastabrook. However, Foad's commitments to his previous band proved to be too time consuming and so, he was replaced by guitarist/keyboardist Colin Masson (who, by the way, has done all the artwork for the band's albums). In addition to Alexander and Masson who are still with the band after two decades, two out of three excellent full-time musicians who feature on their latest album have since left. Their website, however, promises a new album soon. There is a definite progression in maturity, compositional skill, musicianship and overall quality as you work your way up the band's albums, starting with "The Spirit of the Soup" ('85) which features the band's early days as a trio - no drummer - up to their masterpiece "Hidden Agenda" (02) featuring keyboards, flute, electric and 12-string guitar, bass and drums, and of course, Cathy Alexander's beautiful voice. The MORRIGAN's music is accessible and leans on the harder, rockier side of folk with full-blown prog structures, complex arrangements and excellent musicianship. Albums to check out are the three jewels "Hidden Agenda", "Masque" and "Wreckers", where the listener alternately hears everything from traditional rock instruments to less familiar ones such as trombone, Egyptian drums, tambourine, violin, accordion, banjo, traingle, tympani or talking drums. Particularly recommended to fans of STEELEYE SPAN, FAIRPORT CONVENTION, HORSLIPS and TEMPEST. : : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : : Tracks: 01. Cold Haily Windy Night (traditional, arr.The Morrigan) - 00:00 02. Fingals Cave/Spirit Of The Soup (traditional, arr.The Morrigan) -02:12 03. Turtle Dove (traditional, arr.The Morrigan) - 07:29 04. Executioners Song (Colin Masson) - 13:31 05. Off The Rails (Colin Masson) - 22:02 06. Agincourt (Colin Masson) - 24:52 07. Cold Blows The Wind (The Unquiet Grave) (traditional, arr.The Morrigan) - 27:57 08. Silent Seasons (Cathy Alexander) - 33:19 09. Dribbles Of Brandy/Johnny Get Brose (traditional, arr.The Morrigan) - 39:16 10. The Great Sun (The Morrigan) - 42:10 Personnel: - Cathy Alexander - female vocals, 12-string guitar, keyboards, recorders, autoharp - Cliff Eastabrook - vocals, bass, pedals - Colin Masson - vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards