(Neo-Prog) Flamborough Head - One for the Crow - 2002, FLAC (image+.cue) lossless

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD is rooted in Friesland. This province in the northern part of The Netherlands has its own language (a bit similar to the Skandinavian languages), anthem, traditional sports and banner. In the Eighties prime mover Edo Spanninga was a member of a Top 40 cover band but this was not really satisfying for him, Edo was more delighted about symphonic rock. In the capital Leeuwarden he met the Wolf brothers and the trio decided to make the music they all loved. Soon drummer Koen Roozen joined Edo and and the musicians started to rehearsal in a hen-house (!) on Koen's camping-farm in Bakkeveen. By the way, this is also the craddle of the known annual Dutch progrock festival Progfarm. After the Wolf brothers had left the band, bass player Marcel Derix, guitarist André Cents and finally, after some auditions, singer Siebe Rein Schaaf (also keyboardist) completed the new FLAMBOROUGH HEAD line-up.
The name is derived from a part of the rocky British coast and comes from Edo, an Anglophile, he wanted a double name like LED ZEPPELIN, URIAH HEEP or JETHRO TULL. Just before the band got tired of writing music and endless rehearsals without getting the opportunity to play live, FLAMBOROUGH HEAD got invitations for several gigs. And the British progrock label Cyclops reacted positive on a demo, in '98 this resulted in their first album entitled "Unspoken Whisper". Within half a year it sold 1500 copies and the debut-CD was recieved warmly by the music press, only the vocals got some negative remarks. A fine boost was the award by The Classic Rock Society (UK) as "best new band". The second album "Defining the Legacy" was released in 2000, a year later followed by a CD with tapes from '94. FLAMBOROUGH HEAD's music is 24-carat symphonic rock, very melodic and has echoes from MARILLION, PENDRAGON and ARENA but the different musical backgrounds and personal taste from the members (from CAMEL and AOR to blues and rock) gives their music music an orginal twist.
In 2002 FLAMBOROUGH HEAD released their acclaimed new CD entitled "One For The Crow" with new members Margriet Boomsma (lead vocals, flute, tin whistle and recorders) and guitarplayer Eddie Mulder, they replaced André Cents and Siebe Rein Schaaf. The music has still hints from the known neo-prog masters but the band sound more original and their compositions has reached a very mature level. The new album "One For The Crow" is wonderful, I'm stunned by the progress this band has made since I witnissed them on Progfarm a few years ago. This album showcases eight mature and alternating compositions with a lush and varied keyboardsound, strong electric guitarwork (rocky riffs and moving solos), beautiful classical guitar, some cheerful tin whistle and powerful vocals.
My conclusion is that FLAMBOROUGH HEAD prooves with their new CD that they have developped their own sound (a blend of classical, rock, folk, symphonic - and neo progrock) and that all those years of playing together has shaped them into good and creative musicians. And with fresh ideas from the new members, FLAMBOROUGH HEAD has turned from an average neo-progband into a serious member of the current Dutch progrock scene. Perhaps the hand of new manager Foppe de Haan (former coach from FC Heerenveen) has contributed to this marvellous development. I hope that their label Cyclops will do a good job with a worldwide distribution.

Sometime during 2000 and 2002 Flamborough Head lost its singer and guitarrist. It seemed that the band was through, which was a pity, since the two CDs they released were absolutely great and promised a bright furture for the group. But they did come back with a new line up, this time with female vocalist Margriet Boomsma (who also plays the flute) and guitarrist Eddie Mulder.
Needless to say, One For The Crow is quite different form their precedors. Fortunatly the changes did not harm what the band does best: songwriting and arrangements. In fact, they sound like almost another band, but still the tracks are all strong, the arrangements are tasteful and varied as ever. Keyboards are gorgeous! New guitarrist Mulder contributes with some acoustic guitars pieces, which are nice, and Boomsma´s flute adds some folk lines here and there. Her voice is quite unique, sounding maybe a bit like Tracy Hutchings (although less dramatic) or even a bit of Annie Haslam (the feeling, not the technique, around the Prologue period). Rhythm section is strong, well balanced and skillful without much showing off. Some Pink Floyd influences are more evident now in the guitar parts.
In the end you have a very fine album, with no fillers or weak songs anywhere. Less neo prog, more symphonjic and with some folkish bits. A strong and renewed come back. Flamborough Head is probably Holland´s most promising and strong band in the new millenium. Highly recommended!

- Eddie Mulder / guitar, backing vocals
- Marcel Derix / bass
- Koen Roozen / drums
- Margriet Boomsma / lead vocals, flute, tin whistle, recorders
- Edo Spanninga / keyboards