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Cirkus III are :
Ian Weatherburn on Vocals
Stu 'Blue' McDade on Drums, 12 string Guitar and Vocals
Derek Miller on Keyboards and Programming
Additional Musicians :
Keith Satchfield on Guitars
Paul Baker on Guitars
Neil Rigg on Guitars
Alan Roadhouse on Flutes Mickey Roper on Harmonica
Les Booth & Drumdin on additional Percussion
Artur Chachlowski : radio samples
The tracks are :
1. Live For The Moment
2. No Fun
3. Polaroid Pictures
4. Letter To Simone
5. Fat Cat
6. Pantomyme : part 1. The End
7. Pantomyme : part 2. War & Peace
8. Art Of Survival
9. Sweet Dreams
Cirkus originated in the early seventies releasing their first
album 'Cirkus One' in 1973. And although they had an underground
following, they never got the mass market appeal of some of their
contemporaries and they split up in the early eighties.
In 1994 Cirkus reformed
and released their long awaited follow up 'Cirkus Two'. Upon
the release of this album, interest was shown for the first album
and this was then re-released with five extra tracks 'Cirkus One
Plus' in 1995. 'Cirkus III - Pantomyme' was released in
1998.
The opening track is 'Live For The Moment', which starts with
some beautiful keyboards, before the drums and percussion are added
and then some wonderful intricate guitar work comes in, after a while
the track then mellows slightly when the vocals come in. This track
has a very catchy chorus and you could say that the vocal harmonies
do have a 60's feel about them.
The next track is 'No Fun', this is another track with quite
an upbeat tempo about it. It builds up from the verse into the chorus
which has a rockier feel to it.
The third track is 'Polariod Pictures', this track is more
mellow and Ian's vocals are softer than on the previous two tracks.
In fact, I would go as far as saying that this track would do well
as a single. This track has a nice catchy tune and chorus and there
is a part when there's the sound of a farmer's voice which just comes
in unexpectantly.
The next track is 'Letter To Simone', an acoustic track, with
some nice keyboards, which are very mellow and soothing. It's just
the type of track you want to listen too when you want to relax. I
think this is another track that could do well as a single with it's
a catchy tune and chorus.
'Fat Cat', starts off with some atmospheric sounds and then
gradually builds up. Ian's vocals are soft, atmospheric, but full
of emotion. Within the chorus, there's a guitar lick that sounds Pink
Floyd inspired to me. There's also some wonderful harmonica playing
too.
The Sixth track is 'Pantomyme Part 1: The End', if I did not
know that I was listening to Cirkus, the intro sounds very much like
Enya. This is followed by a fanfare of guitars and drums, and then
it settles down to some acoustic guitars. The vocals are fairly soft
and the song gradually builds up with some wonderful guitar breaks,
atmospheric flute and keyboards and towards the end of the track the
track takes on a darker fell to it.
'Pantomyme Part 2 : War & Peace', carrying on from the previous
track then comes an acoustic guitar, the vocals are quite atmospheric
and then some nice keyboards come in as well as some atmospheric sounds
being played too. The track then builds up and becomes heavier and
then fades away.
Art Of Survival', starts with more samples and the music has
a oriental feel to it. There's some intricate guitar, lush keyboards
and then there's a change in direction, just before the vocals come
in. This is quite a moody track, but in a way still has a fairly lid
back feel to it (It's kinda hard to explain). Then there's a short
but aggressive guitar break, then it's back to mellow, wonderful keys
and the soft vocals. Then as the tempo rises there's some wonderful
bass, more samples, atmospheric sounds, powerful drums and some breathtaking
keyboards and guitar work.
The final track is 'Sweet Dreams', which is a love song, soft,
mellow, one of those songs, you could dance to with your partner at
the end of an evening (You know the type of thing I mean). But this
track then goes on for an extended instrumental break and just when
you think it's all over there's a harmonica solo to finish off.
Pantomyme brings back memories from the 70's, but then Cirkus
did start their musical careers, way back then. And even though I
would have to say does have some of the sounds you would associate
with the 70's, what does it matter, when you have well written songs,
that are vibrant and full of energy.
Alright, Pantomyme are
fairly mellow, but at times, it does have it heavier moments and there
are some outstanding guitar and keyboard breaks.
This album will appeal to fans of Barclay James Harvest, The Moody
Blues, and all music lovers who appreciate well written songs.
Pantomyme (AACD 026) is available through Audio Archives on the Derian
Record label.
You can order your copy from Derian at 19 Hunters Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE3 1SD
Tel: +44 (0)191-284-7782
Website : http://www.washington.force9.co.uk/
Email : cirkus@washington.force9.net
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