Clearlight (nothing to do with the 1960s Los Angeles-based psychedelic group Clear Light that recorded for Elektra and featured future actor Cliff De Young) has been essentially a Cyrille Verdeaux project, so every album had different musicians involved, although some of them appeared again. I've seen many sources that stated Clearlight Symphony was released in 1973, which isn't true, it was released in 1975. Had it been released in 1973, it would have existed on the black and white Virgin label with the ladies. Plus the LP clearly gives a 1975 copyright. With a title like that, it's little surprise the album has a symphonic feel to it. One this album, you have Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, and Steve Hillage on the first part helping out, and Gilbert Artman (of Lard Free), Christian Boule (later of Hillage's live touring band), and Martin Isaacs helping out. The first half has Gong helping out, and it's much more symphonic than anything Gong would come up with, particularly from Cyrille Verdeaux's piano playing. There's also plenty of synths, and tons of Mellotron all over, in fact all you tron fans need this album. There are some more trippy parts, as well as more symphonic parts. You don't even have to like Gong to like this, if you disliked the Pot Head Pixies, none of that to be found here (I do enjoy the Pot Head Pixie Gong, but some don't). The second half is more rock-oriented, with Gilbert Artman providing drums, and this time it's Christian Boule providing guitar. I notice some themes from the first part surfacing. There's also an organ passage that's a bit Canterbury-influenced. I've often heard comparisons to Mike Oldfield, I guess if Mike Oldfield tended more to synths, piano, and Mellotron, than guitars and Lowrey organs, and sometimes goes off the deep-end with space electronic sound effects. A great album worth getting for all progheads.
by progfan97402