This band was from Scotland, their name is derived from a novel by the poet John Gray in 1728. The musicians of BEGGARS OPERA were Martin Griffiths (vocals), Rick Gardiner (guitar and vocals), Alan Park (keyboards), Gordon Sellar (bass, acoustic guitar and vocals), Virginia Scott (Mellotron and vocals) and Raymond Wilson (drums and percussion). BEGGARS OPERA made a lot of records but remained acting in the shade of most progressive rock bands. Their debut-album Act one (70) contains fluent and tasteful organ driven progrock with powerful Sixties sounding guitarwork. The long track Raymonds Road is a splendid tribute to the classics featuring Mozarts A la Turka, Bachs Toaccata in d-fuga en Griegs Peer Gynt Suite on the Hammond organ. The second album Waters of Change (71) is build around the dual keyboardplay of Alan Park and newcomer Virginia Scott and the distinctive, a bit cynical vocals of Gardiner. The nine tracks are beautiful symphonic landscapes with many organ solos, some swelling and glorious Mellotron waves (like The MOODY BLUES and early KING CRIMSON) and fine electric guitarwork. On the third LP Pathfinder BEGGARS OPERA seems to have reached its pinnacle: strong and alternating compositions with lush keyboards (Mellotron, organ, piano and harpsichord), powerful electric guitarplay and many shifting moods (even Scottish folk with bagpipes).
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 09:48:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015