01	Dorian Deep						07:40
	02	Born To Be Free						05:45
	03	And The Eagle Chased The Dove To Its Ruin						06:38
	04	Ab Initio Ad Finem (The Opera)						10:54
	05	Facilis Descencus Averni						09:37

Marsupilami
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Band members

- Mike Fouracre - drums, percussion
- Fred Hasson - vocals, percussion, harmonica
- Leary Hasson - keyboards
- Ricky Hicks - bass
- Dave Laverock - guitar, percussion, backing vocals
- Mandy Riedelbanch - sax, percussion
- Jessica Stanley-Clarke - flute, vocals
- Bob West - lyrics, vocals


Related acts

- CMU (Leary Hasson)


Marsupilami
Artist Marsupilami
Album Title Marsupilami
Date of Release 1970

AMG REVIEW: Marsupilami's debut album is about as ungainly as the group's name in its strident, mordant, early progressive rock. There was a very large undertow of obscure albums with morose melodies, fuzz guitars, and organ at the end of the 1960s and very beginning of the 1970s. Marsupilami falls squarely into that bag, although it's differentiated from the American records of that type by a sort of British-European seriousness and early prog rock-jazz touches, particularly in Jessica Stanley Clarke's flute. The songs are long, winding, and portentous, with touches of the gothic and the funereal, especially in the organ and Dave Laverock's bowed guitar (particularly on the closer "Facilis Descencus Averni"). They're rather samey-sounding and unmemorable, though, and not so dark as to be as truly chilling as they might have wished. If you're looking for something in the same general ballpark that's almost equally obscure, Julian's Treatment's A Time Before This album (also from 1970) is much better than this LP, which was reissued on Get Back in 1999. - Richie Unterberger

Mike Fouracre - Drums
Fred Hasson - Harmonica, Vocals
Leary Hasson - Keyboards
Richard Lathan Hicks - Bass
Dave Laverock - Guitar
Jessica Stanley Clarke - Flute, Vocals

1970 LP Transatlantic 213


Marsupilami

Personnel:
MIKE FOURACRE drms A B
FRED HASSON vcls, hrmnca A B
LEARY HASSON keyb'ds A B
RICHARD LATHAN HICKS bs A B
DAVE LAVEROCK gtr A B
JESSICA STANLEY CLARKE flute, vcls A B
PETER BARDENS perc B
MANDY RIEDELBANCH woodwind B
BOB WEST vcls B


ALBUMS:
1(A) MARSUPILAMI (Transatlantic TRA 213) 1970 R1
2(B) ARENA (Transatlantic TRA 230) 1971 R2


A progressive rock outfit whose albums are now collectable. Their first effort is full of atmospheric, moody, rambling songs which were typical of the progressive rock era. It's full of fine organ work and nice flute, though the guitar playing is a bit dodgy. Pete Bardens played on their second album. One track from this, Prelude, was later included on the Transatlantic 1970 compilation, Heads and Tales. This progressive piece begins with wild vocals and manic guitar work which mellows into a keyboard solo with the wild vocals returning at the end. Certainly they were one of Transatlantic's most exciting outfits.

Leary Hasson went on to the Contemporary Music Unit.

(Vernon Joynson/Mike Warth/Costas Arvanitis)



Marsupilami [UK/Netherlands]
Marsupilami (70), Arena (71)

Weird early seventies British band that did the Nektar trick and transplanted themselves overseas (this time in the Netherlands.) The only band that I can compare them too would be East of Eden, and if you haven't heard them, than I can't really compare them with anyone else. Excellent and very ahead of its time progressive music, in the mid period Crimson ethic, with weird and oblique melodies and harmonies.

Marsupilami were a Netherlands (I believe they moved there from England) band from the very early '70s. The album revolves around organ, guitar and flute. There is a bit of a Camel feel in the melodies (particularly with the flute) but the lack of moog makes them sound quite different. There is also a strong folk feel in the vocal melodies and some of the music. The organ work gives a bit of a early '70s psych feel. Arena is a concept album but the songs on both albums run in the 7-9 minute range. Perhaps not essential but generally pretty nice if you like melodic prog with folk touches and a bit of a "early" feel.

A British 6-piece from the early seventies. Their sound reminds me of an upbeat Strawbs. They are more of a prog rock band with folk inflections here and there. I especially like the heavy keyboards and busy drumming. Their overall sound is somewhat typical of the period - full of late sixties influences - but unique enough to be worthwhile. They occasionally sound like In Search of Space era Hawkwind but with more emphasis on vocals and keyboards. The instrumental proficiency and variety will keep the average prog-head interested.

The opening track to Arena begins with singer Fred Hasson speaking: "I've come here today to rip the veil from your eyes, open your heads and PULL OUT YOUR BLOODY MINDS!!!" It only gets odder from there, as they display their twisted, satanic take on ancient Rome, complete with graphic descriptions of lion maulings, inverted crucifixions and other forms of ancient torture. Despite the dated (and amusing in a somewhat campy manner) quality of the lyrics, the music is surprisingly advanced for 1971. Keyboardist Leary Hasson was later in CMU, but the music here is less dated (well, less "hippie"). His playing is very strong, startling blasts of organ and ocean waves of Mellotron lurk round every corner. The whirling, often distorted flute of Jessica Stanley-Clarke adds an intriguing feel as well, as do her haunting harmony vocals. Fred's lead voice is similar to Cressida's Angus Cullen in general tone and pitch, though more highly strung and less accomplished. Good early prog. -- Mike Ohman