Lost-In-Tyme: Spring - 1971 - Spring

For the new years day i decided to choose one of my ten favourite albums of all time.

The two opening songs should be in any serious prog art rock anthology and I dedicate them to all of you,

wishing you a happy new year 2007!

Side One

1.THE PRISONER (EIGHT BY TEN) - 5:34 2.

GRAIL - 6:44 3. BOATS - 1:50

Side Two

4. SHIPWRECKED SOLDIER - 5:12 5.

GOLDEN FLEECE - 6:59

Side Three

6. INSIDE OUT - 4:49 7. SONG TO ABSENT FRIENDS (THE ISLAND) - 2:47 8.

GAZING - 5:54

Side Four Bonus Tracks:

9. FOOL'S GOLD- 6:26 10. HENDRE MEWS- 7:14 11.

A WORD FULL OF WHISPERS- 3:57

Between King Crimson and Genesis there is only one band. Spring. Their one and only album is a mixtue of mellotron, rock felling and that special kind of thouch that only symphonic groups have.

When i first heard that lp I cried. It's so beautiful..

. Ok, now the facts. There are three mellotrons, a very good guitarist and a vocalist who can sing.

Great compositions, especially Eight To Then, Grail, Boats, Golden Fleece and Hendre Mews (it's a bonus track).

MASTERPICE. This album is the true definition of art rock!

(PROG ARCHIVES)

I find it amazing how many group's there were on the cusp of something as big as the development of an entire genre of music. Progressive rock was just starting to kick it into high gear in 1971 and bands like Spring were working on important recordings like this self-titled set.
At first, I was not sure what the picture of the dead soldier meant but after listening to the albums lyrics, it makes more sense.

The album certainly has a theme. "The Prisoner," "Fool's Gold," "Shipwrecked Soldier," "Golden Fleece," and "Grail" certainly have an explorer war like premise.

The tone created by this talented group on this outstanding effort needs a much harder look than ever before.

Perhaps the reasons why you have not heard too much of this band is that giving credit were credit was due has been part of the problem not an all together unusual circumstance in a business full of unfairness and corruption. Part of this entire process of recollection for us all interested in learning more about some of the pioneers of prog-rock is discovering important contributors such as Spring. Lead vocalist Pat Moran's style is reminiscent of the dreamy and smooth vocal engagements of the legendary Jon Anderson of Yes.

I use Anderson as a benchmark for vocalist in this genre for obvious reasons. His influence can be heard everywhere in rock music from past to present. Spring's music is tasteful with compositions featuring elegant keyboards and guitars and equally powerfully intoxicating measures of the same when needed to emphasize the lyrics and give listeners chunks of instrumental passages that have become typical for this type of music.