LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Rare Bird are perhaps best remembered for having the distinction of being the first act to be released on Tony Stratton Smith’s gloriously eclectic label Charisma records (also the home of GENESIS, THE NICE and VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR to name but a few) and for their excellent 1970 hit single ‘Sympathy’. Like fellow future Charisma stable mates Van Der Graaf Generator, Rare Bird was formed around the principle of keyboard dominated progressive rock which eschewed the use of guitars. In December 1969 their eponymous debut album was released to great critical acclaim.

Track Listing:

• A1 Iceberg 6:46
• A2 Times 4:00
• A3 You Went Away 4:17
• A4 Melanie 3:27
• B1 Beautiful Scarlet 5:23
• B2 Sympathy 2:30
• B3 Natures Fruit 2:32
• B4 Bird On A Wing 4:13
• B5 God Of War 5:08