01	Bourree						02:27
	02	Snuff						02:28
	03	Janny ( In A Mist )						01:15
	04	Opus 1065						07:46
	05	Penny						02:53
	06	Trixie-Dixie						00:38
	07	King-Bird						22:01
	08	Birds ( Short Edit )			Bonus Track			03:41
	09	Tabu ( Second Version )			Bonus Track			04:14

Date of Release 1975

Rick van der LINDEN: Kawai grand piano, Hohner D6 clavinet, Hohner pianet, Hammond organ B3-M3, church organ, Neupert harpsichord, A.R.P. 2600 synthesiser, EMS synthi-A, Solina string ensemble, Mellotron 400D, Optigan Music Maker, steeldrums, Riha classica

Ian MOSLEY: drums, timpani, Chinese gong, Duckcall tambourine

Jaap van EIK: Fender Precision bass. Fender Stratocaster guitar, Fender fuzz effects, vocals, phased guitar

Guests: Darryl WAY - acoustic & electric violin on "0pus 1065"
Coen HOEDEMAN - : assorted monkeys on "Bourree"

All titles composed, arranged and directed by Rick van der LINDEN. Produced by TRACE. Supervised by Richard de BOIS. Lyrics to "Preacher-bird" by Harry MOJO.

Recorded and mixed at Soundpush Studio, Blaricum, Holland.
Sound engineer: Jan SCHUURMAN.
Sleeve design: Rens BENERINK.
Photograph: Pim WESTERWEEL.
Mastering: Son-art, Metz.
Biography and booklet notes by Francis CROSSE.
Translation by Chloe SCHELLEKENS and Dorian CUMPS.
Art and layout/electronic publishing by Alain ROBERT.


AMG EXPERT REVIEW: This is the second of three records by Trace, a trio led by keyboardist Rick van der Linden. By the time they recorded their second LP just one year after taping their debut, they had already undergone a change in personnel, with Ian Mosely replacing Pierre van der Linden on drums. The album's first side is sort of an extended suite, though it is an incongruous mix of pipe organ with a plodding electric bass and drums during "King Bird." "Preacher Bird" features a weak lyric sung with little feeling by bassist Jaap van Eik and has a prominent role for the acoustic piano, although the synthesizer and harpsichord sneak in as well. "Bouree" is taken from Bach's "English Suite No. 2 in A minor" (BMV 807) and is turned into a miniature hard rocker before it deteriorates into a comical midsection with fake bird calls and a tiresome vamp. But "Opus 1065," the leader's interpretation of Bach's "Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in A minor" (BMV 1065) never picks up sufficient steam, though it features some tasty violin by guest Darryl Way. The one true bright spot of this release is van der Linden's sprightly solo piano arrangement of jazzman Bix Beiderbecke's "In a Mist," which unfortunately is barely over a minute in length. The downhill slide of Trace on this second LP is painfully obvious, so it is doubtful that there is much demand for this long-deleted record. - Ken Dryden


1. King Bird (VanDerLinden) - 4:06
2. First Avenue (VanDerLinden) - 0:31
3. Sculptor Bird (VanDerLinden) - 1:29
4. Second Avenue (VanDerLinden) - 0:15
5. Preacher Bird (Harry/VanDerLinden) - 2:10
6. Third Avenue (VanDerLinden) - 0:27
7. Birdcorps (VanDerLinden) - 0:52
8. Firecorps (VanDerLinden) - 0:43
9. Medley (van der Linden) - 10:27
10. Bouree (Bach) - 2:26
11. Snuff (van der Linden) - 2:24
12. In a Mist (Beiderbecke/Challis) - 1:12
13. Opus 1065 (Bach) - 7:44
14. Penny (van der Linden) - 2:42
15. Trixie-Dixie (van der Linden) - 0:22
16. Preacher Bird (VanDerLinden) - 2:16
17. Last Avenue (VanDerLinden) - :12
18. King Bird (VanDerLinden) - 1:20
19. Reflection (VanDerLinden) - 1:09
20. Bouree (Bach) - 2:26
21. Snuff (VanDerLinden) - 2:24
22. In a Mist (Beiderbecke) - 1:12
23. Opus 1065 (Bach) - 7:44
24. Penny (VanDerLinden) - 2:42
25. Trixie-Dixie (VanDerLinden) - :22


Darryl Way - Violin
Rick van der Linden - Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Strings, Arranger, Composer, Drums, Harpsichord, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Clavinet, Mellotron
Ian Mosley - Drums, Gong, Tambourine, Tympani [Timpani]
Jaap VanEyck - Guitar
Jaap VanEik - Guitar, Guitar (Bass), Vocals

1975 LP Sire 7514


Trace - Birds (1975)

Trace was a Dutch band that played extremely energetic and inspired keyboard heavy classical rock. Their second album is reportedly their finest, and indeed comes off like a more light-hearted and less mechanical Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Trace is somewhat notable for it's membership, featuring keyboard whiz Rick van der Linden from Ekseption and drummer Ian Mosely, later of Marillion. Though I've heard fairly unanimous bad things about the classical adaptations on the Ekseption album, van der Linden's playing on Birds is phenomenal. This is high-energy, unabashedly pompous stuff that is just a lot of fun, making use of every kind of vintage keyboard imaginable.

The album is made up of a bunch of short tracks and then the epic "Birds" suite. Of the earlier tracks, "Bouree" is a blast, kicking off the album in grand fashion and setting the tone. The highlight of this first part of the album is without a doubt "Opus 1065", an adaptation of a Bach piece that is absolutely stunning. Darryl Way's violins are used incredibly here. Definitely one of the nicest rock adaptations of a classical piece I've ever heard. "Penny" is a fairly boring jazz workout, and is rather tedious as anticipation builds for the incredible title suite. "Birds" is no disappointment. This track has it all, as it works through it's various themes, borrowing liberally from classical pieces throughout (don't ask me which ones) and mixing it all with the frenetic keyboards and general rock and roll machismo. The band also must have saved their strongest original material for this one as well, as there is hardly a weak point on the whole thing. Occasionally, vocals appear for the first times on the album, and aren't overly unpleasant despite the slight accent. This is a keyboard album for sure though, the clear attraction being van der Linden's generally bombastic but electrifying playing. One of the best Dutch albums I've heard for sure. - Greg Northrup [March 2001]










The White Ladies
Artist Trace & Rick Van Der Linden
Album Title White Ladies
Date of Release 1976 (release)
AMG Rating
Genre Rock
Library View Click here to see this album in MARC format

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: It was painfully obvious that the group Trace was already a memory as this final release was being recorded. Keyboardist Rick van der Linden, its founder, is the only remaining member from either of Trace's previous two records. This LP is a dreadful concept album, van der Linden's musical interpretation of an old Dutch legend about "The White Ladies," which dates from the Middle Ages. Van der Linden recruited a few associates from his old band Ekseption, including bassist Cor Dekker and drummer Peter de Leeuwe, as well as additional musicians. But Harry Schafer's narration is stifling, and singer Hetti Smit's vocals are forgettable, as is all of the original music. The leader's reworking of classical compositions by Beethoven is also of little help. Following this recorded fiasco, it is safe to say that Rick van der Linden and Trace sank without a trace. Skip this turkey. - Ken Dryden

1. Legend, Pt. 1 (Schafer/van der Linden) - 3:29
2. Interlude I (van der Linden) - 0:20
3. Confrontation (Schafer/van der Linden) - 4:11
4. Interlude II (van der Linden) - 0:49
5. Dance of the White Ladies (van der Linden) - 1:34
6. Doubts (van der Linden) - 3:28
7. Trace I (van der Linden) - 0:16
8. Witches' Dance (van der Linden) - 2:36
9. Surrender (van der Linden) - 2:13
10. Interlude III (van der Linden) - 0:30
11. Pathetique (von Beethoven) - 2:26
12. Legend, Pt. 2 (Schafer/van der Linden) - 2:20
13. Interlude IV (van der Linden) - 0:10
14. The Rescue (From Sonata No. 3 in C Major,... (von Beethoven) - 3:48
15. Trace II (van der Linden) - 0:25
16. Back Home (van der Linden) - 3:18
17. Meditation (For Rene) (van der Linden) - 3:58
18. Flash Back (van der Linden) - 0:33
19. Conclusion (van der Linden) - 3:34



Camel: Rain Dances
Blackfoot: Strikes
Curved Air: Best of Curved Air
Brian Auger: London (1964-1967)
Shaun Cassidy: Shaun Cassidy
Barclay James Harvest: Best of Barclay James Harvest, Vol. 1
Gregg Allman Band: Playin' up a Storm
Babe Ruth: Best of Babe Ruth
Tommy Bolin: Private Eyes
Jim Capaldi: Short Cut Draw Blood

Rick van der Linden - Keyboards
Peter DeLeeuwe - Guitar, Drums
Cor Dekker - Bass
Hans Jacobse - Keyboards
Dick Remelinck - Flute, Saxophone, Wind
Harry Schafer - Vocals, Narrator
Hetti Smit - Vocals

1976 LP RCA 21815