This was Spirogyra’s second album after their debut masterpiece ‘St Radigunds’. This album has a different feel to it, as Julian Cusack (violin) was focussing on his University studies and plays a much smaller role, while Mark Francis (electric guitar and keyboards) has joined, along with Fairport’s Dave Mattacks (drums) and Rick Biddulph (Mandolin) to give the album a more electric Rock Folk sound. However, you still have the vocal duelling of Barbara Gaskin (later to join ‘Hatfield and the North’ and ‘Dave Stewart’) and Martin Cockerham and the bass guitar of Steve Borrill from the first album.
The album kicks off with the up tempo Dangerous Dave, in the quiet middle part, while Martin rants about the army Barbara is singing heavenly background vocals. The song builds to a crescendo completed by Mattacks and almost immediately moves onto the ballad of ‘Van Allen’s belt’ with lovely piano and excellent male/female vocals and great lyrics. ‘Runaway’ – written by Borrill – is a 3 part track with Borrill singing the 1st part with fast electric accompaniment, followed by a slower second part with Martin taking up the vocals and supported with Beatlesque piano, followed by the last part where Barbara’s beautiful vocals conclude the track. ‘Grandad’ is Martin’s ode to his late grandad with violin and cello supporting with plucked acoustic guitar. Lastly on Side 1 is ‘Wings of thunder’ has a great rock folk feel, great mandolin and chorus.
Side 2 starts with probably the album’s stand out track – ‘World’s eyes’. Mattacks is outstanding on this track and supports the duelling vocals of Barbara and Martin, with great electric guitar and mandolin being driven along by the bass guitar. Some ethereal vocals in the middle from Barbara just add to the whole atmosphere. ‘Don’t let it get you’ is an ode to friendship and has some really clean electric guitar supported by piano and mandolin. ‘Disraeli’s problem’ written by Borrill is about the violence in Northern Ireland in a swinging mid tempo style. Barbara and Martin alternate, then combine their vocals to great effect. Distorted electric guitar gives it a slightly disturbing feel, which fits the subject matter perfectly. Lastly is ‘A Canterbury tale’ is a great finish with predominant acoustic guitar and Barbara and Martin’s harmonies which finish the track. An amazing album, maybe not as good as St Radigunds, but better than the majority of folk rock albums. Also, fantastic artwork by Pete Rhodes.
