TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Epic Forest" - Rare Bird (1972)

"Epic Forest" - Rare Bird (1972)

Rare Bird was a prog-rock band from the UK that just never got much of a push in the States.  That's why most of their albums are harder to find around here.  If you were expecting prog-bank like their first two albums on this one, you might be a little disappointed.  But as for me, I dug it.  On "Epic Forest"...the band's third album, they turn slightly away from the prog realm and offer up an unexpected early 70s "classic rock" treat.  

There is still some nice jamming here and there, but that dog's on a much shorter leash.  However, the instruments bang just fine on this square and the vocals are great as well.  Sometimes recalling YES and other times CSN.   It's a pleasure either way.   There are no real stand-out tracks exactly,  but I really dug the flow of the album.  It's a needle drop set-it-and-forget-it spin.  Everything on the square is easy to warm to.  It's a low-dollar risk with a high payout.

"Epic Forest" - Rare Bird (back)

Favorites include:
"Epic Forest"
"Title No.1 Again (Birdman)"
"Turn It All Around"

My copy is a Monarch pressing with STERLING stamped in the runouts.  The front cover has the Polydor logo located at the bottom right corner.  There is a "WREN" stamped on the cover and label indicating it was once a radio copy.  I believe the radio station was out of Topeka, KS.  I love the clever Rare Bird image designed from the band letters on the front cover, as well.  Very cool.  Here's a little trivia for you.  Keyboardist Dave Kaffinetti played the part of Viv Savage in "This Is Spinal Tap." (1984)  “Have a good time, all the time.”

"Epic Forest" - Rare Bird
(Polydor label)

Cat #
PD 5530
SIDE A  DEADWAX
PD-5530-A-1C  (MR in a circle)  △17819 (2)  STERLING 
SIDE B  DEADWAX
PD-5530-B-1C  (MR in a circle)  △17819-X (1)  STERLING

"Title No. 1 Again (Birdman)" - Rare Bird / "Epic Forest" (1972)

TRACKS:
A1  "Baby Listen" 3:25
A2  "Hey Man" 5:53
A3  "House In The City" 4:24
A4  "Epic Forest" 9:16
B1  "Turning The Lights Out" 4:45
B2  "Her Darkest Hour" 3:33
B3  "Fears Of The Night" 3:19
B4  "Turn It All Around" 4:45
B5  "Title No.1 Again (Birdman)" 6:05

PERSONNEL:
Steve Gould - guitars, acoustic guitar, percussion, vocals, 
Ced Curtis - guitars, acoustic guitar, percussion, vocals
Paul Karas - bass, percussion, shaker, vocals
Dave Kaffinetti - piano, Hammond, Farfisa
Fred Kelly - drums, congas
Paul Holland - percussion, producer

Good stuff.

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