The Italian Night Wings label brings us the first legiimatet reissue of yet another of those ‘legendary’ psych/ prog outfits that only ever existed for as long as it took to record a demo of fledgling promise back in 1970. In this case, only 15 Five ay Rain acetates were pressed up, which now go for extremely silly money to those who have it, and have been variously bootlegged. The good news is that the fuss is justified, at least in part.
The CD breaks into three distinct phases. Four of the first five tracks are complex, melodic Polydor LP demos recorded by vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Rick Sharpe, fleeting Fleur De Lys keyboardist Graham Maitland and co. Driving, polished and memorable, these push all the right Procol Harum/Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake/Tintern Abbey buttons, with some top-drawer instrumental flourishes (hear Don’t Be Misled and Good Year). The remaining four tracks are rootsier and less well worked-out, including blander Elton John-ish touches and a cool, but ultimately wibbly, 11-minute psych-out, Rough Cut Marmalade. Finally, five bonus tracks from Iron Prophet, a heavier previous incarnation of the group miss the vital ingredient of Maitland.
