There had been bands that
were short-lived and due to bad business in the music industry, lack of
promotion and support, or not getting any recognition and it is very hard for
them to make into the music scene, but advices are necessary to let them know
what is out for them. And one of the bands is a quintet named Kestrel. Kestrel
was formed in Newcastle and they released their only sole self-titled debut
album forty years ago.
It’s been considered a
collector’s item as an overlooked gem in the history of Progressive Rock along
with bands like; Cressida, Czar, Fruupp, and Second Hand. The album is hard to
find in a vinyl format and not to mention a huge sum for an expensive price
including one in Japan. Well this year, it is reissued in a 2-CD set from the good
people of Esoteric Recordings that features liner notes done by Metal
Hammer/Classic Rock magazine writer, Malcolm Dome that discusses the history of
the band and where it went wrong.
The band considers Tom
Knowles on Lead Vocals, Dave Black on Guitar and Vocals, John Cook on
Keyboards, Fewnick Moir on Bass Guitar, and Dave Whitaker on Drums who was in a
previous band from Newcastle trio called Ginhouse. Originally released on the Cube
label in 1975, it is a melodic adventure and with a touch of Progressive Pop
thrown in that gives it a warm and at times, a symphonic flavor.
Songs like the opening
track, The Acrobat, has this
wonderful improvisation that has a circus-like midsection that Cook does in the
styles of Kerry Minnear through the clavinet and Rhodes through a different
time signature as it becomes a Jazz rhythm section between Black’s guitar and
Moir’s walking bass line. Then, it becomes a moody and ballad-like structure on
an ascending groove that almost resembles The Doors Riders on the Storm and Steely Dan that has a beat per minute of
110 on Wind Cloud.
But with a waltz structure
for a moody and emotional touch, is evidential on Last Request. It shows Tom Knowles can really sing through his
heart and to pay homage to Kevin Godley as the band goes into the style of 10cc
not to mention Cook’s organ and the Mellotron by giving it a powerful and
ascending sound. John does shine through his keyboards.
In which he does some
amazing improvisation on In The War that
he goes into some beautiful passages that are Fusion and Orchestral with a funk
and soul groove before he sends into the sky again with some angelic touches
into the mix. On the closing track, August
Carol, this is where the band comes into a full circle. It reminded me of
Cressida with an increasing beat and Black’s guitar solo just nails each part
as through rhythm and lead on his guitar and Cook gives him a perfect workout.
And then Whitaker’s
percussion drum roll comes in before it heads off into the heavens with a
Mellotron solo to close the album off for the final curtain to rise with
background vocalizations and Black’s solo coming in as it fades into the
sunset. The second disc features alternate versions and single versions
including outtakes featuring a ballad turned adventurous narrative on The Searcher and Part of the Machine which deals with even though we are being used
as a tool, but understanding to be tied up through the work and finding another
way to find your heart, but living in a dream.
I have listened to Kestrel’s
only sole self-titled debut album about five times now and even though the band broke up after
the release to pursue other projects, it would have been interesting to see
where the band would go into next. And this is a must have album to listen to.
So if you admire Cressida, Moody Blues, Spring, and Fruupp, then Kestrel is the
band to check out.
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