Fantasy - "Vivariatum" (1970-76) {UK} [1994] (Prog Rock)

The story of this band started at the Chapel Farm, a farmhouse near Gravesend (Kent) were the band had their first rehearsals. It was the family home of singer Paul Petley, other musicians were Geoff Whitehorn (electric guitar), Paul Lawrence (acoustic guitar/vocals), David Metcalfe (keyboards), David Read (bass guitar) and Brian Chatham (drums), later replaced by John Webster. The lead guitar was by the promising Bob Vann but he died in a car accident, he was replaced by Pete James. The new line-up FANTASY sent a demo tape to the label Decca and changed their name in FIREQUEEN. But Polydor was also interested and they pursuaded the band to sign for them. Again the band decided to change their name, it became FANTASY, a name that fitted more to the style and flavour of the music. The debut album was called "Paint A Picture" and released in '73 (now on CD). Soon FANTASY belonged to the past, the tapes for a next album remained in the vaults of time.

Fortunately the label Audio Archives released these tapes as a CD called "Beyond The Beyond". This one is an absolute beauty and it contains nine very refined compositions with warm vocals and 12-string acoustic guitars, flowing and sensitive electric guitar and lots of Hammond organ and Mellotron. The highlight on this album is the track Alexandrie (almost 9 minutes) with the Mellotron in all its splendor: majestic eruptions and beautiful waves along a typical Sixties sounding organ. A MUST! : : : Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS : : : Fan & official Prog Archives collaborator http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=826

Track Listings
01. Fire-Fire (6:41)
02. Vacuum (4:03)
03. In My Life (3:56)
04. Low Love (4:26)
05. Stardrifting (4:32)
06. I Was Once Aware (3:30)
07. Could It Be Forever (3:55)
08. Fantasy Moods (4:11)
09. Angel (3:24)
10. Alone (4:31)
11. Afterthought - Original version (7:26)

Original recordings re-mixed and produced by Denis Blackham.
Tracks 1, 2, 10 and 11 recorded in 1970; tracks 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 recorded in 1976; track 6 recorded in 1973.

Line-up/Musicians
- David Read / bass, double bass, vocals
- Paul Lawrence / 12 string guitar, vocals
- David Metcalfe / keyboards, clarinet, vocals
- Paul Petley / lead vocals
- Peter James / lead guitar, vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / lead guitar
- Jon Webster / drums

11. Afterthought - Original version...

Link in comments...
Posted at 5:31 AM by nahavanda

9 comments:

  1. MunjuJuly 25, 2008 at 5:43 AM

    Link: http://lix.in/-248181

    ReplyDelete
  2. Juan-kJuly 25, 2008 at 8:59 AM

    Hi! My name is Juan Carlos and I'm working on a new blog in spanish about rock, pop and psychedelia. I would be grateful if you make a link to my blog: http://aventuraspsicodelicas.blogspot.com/
    I'll do the same with the yours.

    Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. urosJuly 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM

    Thanks a lot Munju for this rarity.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM

    I love that band! Thanks, Munju!

    All the best,

    Armute

    ReplyDelete
  5. Zer0_IIAugust 1, 2008 at 7:35 PM

    Hello again PNF crew. I wanted to invite all of you and your readers to my new social network that I have created. It's similar in appearance to myspace (minus all the hormone-crazed teenagers), but it is intended to serve as a hangout for artists, musicians, and music lovers. I have also included a forum category for music bloggers such as yourself to promote their blogs and share updates. If you are interested, here is the url:

    http://digitalmeltd0wn.ning.com

    I hope to see you there. Take care.

    Zer0_II

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nils TiborAugust 2, 2008 at 3:26 AM

    Many thanks for this.
    I didn't know that album exists.

    Fantasy was a great group.

    Nils

    ReplyDelete
  7. bobhoweAugust 8, 2008 at 4:38 PM

    Bob Vann did not die in a car crash, he fell off a cliff top on his 18th birthday if you read the sleeve notes to the remaster of Beyond the Beyond. The Award on Paint a Picture was written in his memory. I once took a taxi somewhere in Yorkshire and I always look at the drivers badge in case there is a problem. The driver's name was Vann and when I asked him if he had a relative who played guitar and died young he nearly fell out of his seat and said that it was his cousin. I got him a copy of "Paint a Picture" on CD and when I gave it to him he said that it was like someone walking on his grave.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Moes LakeAugust 13, 2008 at 4:23 PM

    Incredible album. The sad story adds so much melancholy to the atmosphere :(
    Thank you bobhow for sharing your story :)

    Thanks Munju! You are the man!

    Oracus

    ReplyDelete
  9. DelboyAugust 20, 2008 at 4:25 AM

    Thanks very much for this.Very surprised to stumble upon this but very grateful.Nice to complete the Fantasy collection.

    ReplyDelete

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