For the old farts... from www.melodicrock.com :
These are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price of £10.99 for the next two weeks.
Starcastle 'S/T CANDY089 - Certainly one of the greatest characteristics of the 1970s was the diversity of musical talent on offer. From proto metal through to punk rock all bases were covered, not least of all the establishment of progressive rock. From the giants of the genre such as Yes, ELP and Genesis through to a multitude of lesser known acts, progressive rock became, against all odds, a standard bearer of quality and class.
Starcastle were a fitting addition to the progressive rock ranks. Based in Champaign, Illinois and formed from a couple of local acts, sporting improbable names such as Sea Daddy, St. James and Mad John Fever, the band overcame their geographical isolation by playing anywhere and everywhere, and attracting not only a fevered following but also the attention of label leviathans Epic Records.
Fronted by former REO Speedwagon vocalist Terry Lutrell, the band crafted a spectacular debut album, pushing at the boundaries of progressive rock. Think Kansas, Styx, Yes and Gentle Giant for a close approximation of their complex yet easily accessible and melodic sound.
No wonder that Boston apparently threatened to kick them off a tour for upstaging them. Originally issued in 1976, the album boasts complex musicianship applied to evocative and melodic songs, all wrapped up in one of the most beautiful and imaginative album sleeves of the era.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with the band and photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Lady Of The Lake 2. Elliptical Seasons 3. Forces 4. Stargate 5. Sunfield 6. To The Fire Wind 7. Nova.
Starcastle 'Fountains Of Light' CANDY090 - During the mid 1970s the popularity of progressive rock was at an all time high with acts such as Yes, Jethro Tull and, especially, ELP enjoying huge album sales and playing to sold out crowds the world over. Of course, shadowing these giants of prog were a number of young upstarts keen to make a challenge for gold and glory, not least of these were American mid-west contenders Starcastle.
The band's carefully executed debut album attracted a number of converts, selling something in the region of a quarter of a million copies, resulting in Epic records taking a keener interest. In an effort to up the ante, so to speak, the band was sent into the studio (Morin Heights, Quebec) to record their next album with flamboyant and creative British producer Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, Journey, Foreigner).
'Fountains Of Light' is arguably Starcastle's finest moment. Baker's production is meticulous yet forceful, allowing the band to stretch out and take on the competition without sacrificing integrity or a natural melodic song writing ability. Packed out with hooks to die for and submerged in complex yet accessible arrangements, the album oozes charm and class. Housed in one of the most impressively designed album sleeves of the seventies 'Fountains Of Light' still presses all the right buttons.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with band and additional photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Fountains 2. Dawning Of The Day 3. Silver Winds 4. True To The Light 5. Portraits 6. Diamond Song (Deep Is The Light).
These are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price of £10.99 for the next two weeks.
Starcastle 'S/T CANDY089 - Certainly one of the greatest characteristics of the 1970s was the diversity of musical talent on offer. From proto metal through to punk rock all bases were covered, not least of all the establishment of progressive rock. From the giants of the genre such as Yes, ELP and Genesis through to a multitude of lesser known acts, progressive rock became, against all odds, a standard bearer of quality and class.
Starcastle were a fitting addition to the progressive rock ranks. Based in Champaign, Illinois and formed from a couple of local acts, sporting improbable names such as Sea Daddy, St. James and Mad John Fever, the band overcame their geographical isolation by playing anywhere and everywhere, and attracting not only a fevered following but also the attention of label leviathans Epic Records.
Fronted by former REO Speedwagon vocalist Terry Lutrell, the band crafted a spectacular debut album, pushing at the boundaries of progressive rock. Think Kansas, Styx, Yes and Gentle Giant for a close approximation of their complex yet easily accessible and melodic sound.
No wonder that Boston apparently threatened to kick them off a tour for upstaging them. Originally issued in 1976, the album boasts complex musicianship applied to evocative and melodic songs, all wrapped up in one of the most beautiful and imaginative album sleeves of the era.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with the band and photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Lady Of The Lake 2. Elliptical Seasons 3. Forces 4. Stargate 5. Sunfield 6. To The Fire Wind 7. Nova.
Starcastle 'Fountains Of Light' CANDY090 - During the mid 1970s the popularity of progressive rock was at an all time high with acts such as Yes, Jethro Tull and, especially, ELP enjoying huge album sales and playing to sold out crowds the world over. Of course, shadowing these giants of prog were a number of young upstarts keen to make a challenge for gold and glory, not least of these were American mid-west contenders Starcastle.
The band's carefully executed debut album attracted a number of converts, selling something in the region of a quarter of a million copies, resulting in Epic records taking a keener interest. In an effort to up the ante, so to speak, the band was sent into the studio (Morin Heights, Quebec) to record their next album with flamboyant and creative British producer Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, Journey, Foreigner).
'Fountains Of Light' is arguably Starcastle's finest moment. Baker's production is meticulous yet forceful, allowing the band to stretch out and take on the competition without sacrificing integrity or a natural melodic song writing ability. Packed out with hooks to die for and submerged in complex yet accessible arrangements, the album oozes charm and class. Housed in one of the most impressively designed album sleeves of the seventies 'Fountains Of Light' still presses all the right buttons.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with band and additional photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Fountains 2. Dawning Of The Day 3. Silver Winds 4. True To The Light 5. Portraits 6. Diamond Song (Deep Is The Light).
