Cathedral - Stained Glass Stories
Our Price: $39.70
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: CathedralEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-01-20
Free Music Notes for Stained Glass Stories
Free Music Review: Excellent vintage prog from the US
Hit: 5 Stars
I read a lot of reviews that panned these guys as yet another Yes-clone that came out of the US in the late 1970s, but after listening to this disc for a couple of months, I think any such comparisons would have to be considered pretty superficial. Sure, the Yes sound is clearly present, from the trebly Rickenbacker-esque bass work to the very Steve Howe-ish sounding guitar work. But the compositions really bear little resemblance to Yes. They clearly have their own take on symphonic prog, and I have to admit, it's pretty compelling. The musicians are all excellent, and there is some great musicianship and ensemble work displayed throughout. My favorite tune is the melancholy 7-minute instrumental, "Gong". But the rest of the album is very good too, especially the two epics, "Introspect" and "The Search". Unlike some other reviews I have seen, I don't feel the vocals are a big weakness. I would say the singer generally has a very Crimson-esque sound (specifically from the "Larks"/"Red"/"Starless" era), and only struggles when he gets into the higher registers, which happens rarely.
I guess if I had to liken this band to anyone, it would be a fusion of sounds, from the Yes-like sound of the album, to the Crimson-esque feel of the album, to the mellotron-drenched passagework reminiscent of Genesis. Unlike many of the American bands of this era, they were not derivative, and they were not AOR- or Arena Rock- oriented like most other so-called American "progressive" bands. They managed to maintain the ideals of the English Symphonic Progressive school while still establishing their own musical identity. Of all of the so called "rare masterpieces" of the American prog scene of that time, this is far and away the best of the bunch (the other examples being Happy the Man, Yezda Urfa, and Mirthrandir).
This remastering is all right. But this band is too obscure to ever get a first-rate remastering, so listeners will need to make due.
Overall, Stained Glass Stories is a great album, and the Yes comparisons are way overblown (if you want a real Yes-clone, check out Starcastle). Recommended.
Music Genres
Top music charts in Great Mellotron moments
Carlo Bordini, Paolo Rustichelli - Opera PrimaRelease date: 2004-07-05; Music CD
Best price: $18.12
Price in other shops:
Osanna - PalepoliRelease date: 2004-05-28; Music CD
Best price: $39.99
Price in other shops:
Museo Rosenbach - ZarathustraRelease date: 1998-12-11; Music CD
Best price: $12.98
Clearlight SymphonyRelease date: 2002-12-03; Music CD
Best price: $14.94
Price in other shops:
Cathedral - Stained Glass StoriesRelease date: 2004-01-20; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Song of the Marching Children/ AtlantisPublished: 1987; Music CD
Earth and Fire - Earth and FireRelease date: 2002-11-15; Music CD
Best price: $29.57
Tangerine Dream - AtemRelease date: 2003-01-21; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Edgar Froese - Macula TransferRelease date: 2005-12-01; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Price in other shops:
Edgar Froese - Epsilon in Malaysian PaleRelease date: 2005-09-06; Music CD
Best price: $26.98
Top Rated Albums
Eloy - OceanRelease date: 2004-06-07; Music CD
Best price: $7.97
Price in other shops:
Pulsar - The Strands Of The FutureRelease date: 2003-08-29; Music CD
Best price: $21.99
Le Orme - Felona e SoronaRelease date: 1996-03-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.77
Price in other shops:
HalloweenRelease date: 2003-08-29; Music CD
Best price: $21.99
PFM - Per un AmicoRelease date: 1998-07-27; Music CD
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Focus - Hamburger ConcertoRelease date: 2001-02-19; Music CD
Best price: $13.94
Price in other shops:
Locanda Delle Fate - Forse le Lucciole Non Si Amano Pi?Release date: 1999-04-26; Music CD
Best price: $10.16
Price in other shops: