[bigred]Rare Bird[/bigred]
[lilred]September 10, 2007[/lilred]



[title]Rare Bird[/title] 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, (also becoming a US Billboard chart hit) and was followed in January 1970 by the release of `Sympathy' b/w `Devil's High Concern'. The single reached the UK Top 30 and was a subsequent major hit throughout Europe.

1. Iceberg
2. Times
3. You Went Away
4. Melanie
5. Beautiful Scarlet
6. Sympathy
7. Nature's Fruit
8. Bird On A Wing
9. God Of War

Bonus Tracks:
10. Devil's High Concern
11. Sympathy (mono single version)

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TV4MO0/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TV4MO0/?tag=imwan-21

[bigred]As Your Mind Flies By[/bigred]
[lilred]September 10, 2007[/lilred]



Following the success of their debut album and single `Sympathy'), the band recorded this classic album in the Summer of 1970. [title]As Your Mind Flies By[/title] featured the epic "Flight", a legendary piece which dominated the albums second side. An excellent work, the album met with much success, with Billboard magazine in America declaring Rare Bird to be in the top ten best new acts of the year.

1. What You Want To Know
2. Down On The Floor
3. Hammerhead
4. I'm Thinking
5. Flight
a. As Your Mind Flies By
b. Vacuum
c. New Yorker
d. Central Park

Bonus Tracks:
6. What You Want To Know (mono single version)
7. Hammerhead (mono single version)
8. Red Man (previously unreleased)

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TV4MOA/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TV4MOA/?tag=imwan-21

[bigred]Somebody's Watching[/bigred]
[lilred]November 24, 2008[/lilred]



Esoteric Recordings follow on from the highly successful reissues of Rare Bird's first two albums in 2007 with this classic rock album from 1973, their second release for POLYDOR. Best known for their hit single Sympathy, by the time of this album Rare Bird had changed line-ups, though still retained their progressive style. [title]Somebody's Watching[/title] features guest musicians Nic Potter (of Van Der Graaf Generator) and former Family and future King Crimson member John Wetton and includes their classic interpretation of Ennio Morricone's theme to A Fistful of Dollars. This Esoteric reissue also features both sides of their 1973 single Virginia as bonus tracks.

1. Somebody's Watching
2. Third Time Around
3. Turn Your Head
4. More And More
5. Hard Time
6. Who Is The Hero
7. High In The Morning
8. Dollars
9. A Few Dollars More

Bonus Tracks:
10. Virginia
11. Lonely Street

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GT18P0/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001GT18P0/?tag=imwan-21

[bigred]Born Again[/bigred]
[lilred]November 24, 2008[/lilred]



Originally released in 1974, Rare Bird's third release for Polydor, [title]Born Again[/title], features their classic hit 'Diamonds' plus 2 Bonus Recordings including both sides of their final 1975 single 'Don't Be Afraid'.

1. Body And Soul
2. Live For Each Other
3. Diamonds
4. Reaching You
5. All That I Need
6. Redman
7. Peace Of Mind
8. Harlem
9. Lonely Street
10. Last Tango In Belulah

Bonus Tracks:
11. Don't Be Afraid
12. Passin' Through

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GT18OQ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001GT18OQ/?tag=imwan-21

Very cool. Is this Esoteric label any good and are they reputable at all?

The Esoteric label has quickly become my favorite reissue label! Their remastering and packaging are top notch. They come with extensive booklets and bonus tracks most of the time. Plus, their catalogue includes so many amazing obscure, rare, and lost classic albums of the 60's and 70's. Great Great GREAT!