Genre: progressive
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Stained Glass Stories
Company: Delta
Catalog: SRC 1002
Year: 1978
Country/State: Long Island, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: small tear on back cover - looks like the back cover got wet and stuck to another LP; includes lyric insert
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4
Price: $350.00
Cost: $1.00
Here's the little bit of biographical information we have. Apparently from Long Island, New York (our guess given their album was recorded in New York's Delta Studios), their line up consisted of bassist Fred Callan, keyboardist Tom Doncroft, drummer Mercury Caronia IV, guitarist Rudy Perone and singer Paul Seal.
Co-produced by Caronia and Bernard Zimney, 1978's "Stained Glass Stories" featured five original extended pieces. Group penned, material such as the title track and "Introspect" was very much in keeping with the likes of better known contemporaries such as Genesis, Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Yes. Propelled by Callan's nifty bass (his bass patterns are so prominent they give Chris Squire a run for his money) and Doncroft's occasionally clumsy synthesizers, the album featured a series of largely instrumental numbers that sported rather complex and intricate arrangements. Perhaps not the most original set of the year, musically the material was quite good, instrumentals such as "Gong" and "Days & Changes" sporting strong and attractive melodies (guitarist Perone's playing gave the latter effort a distinctive resemblance to the Yes catalog). Somewhat less inspired were the pompous lyrics and Seal's voice. At least one review we've seen compared Seal to Gentle Giant's Derek Shulman. To our ears he sounds more like ELP's Greg Lake with a bad head cold. Seals limited range and a penchant for pushing his voice beyond it's capabilities left something to be desired. The set also suffers from a slightly dull production sound - turn up the volume and blame it on limited recording funds. In spite of those flaws, if you're into 70s progressive moves, the set's well worth tracking down, though you may think twice given the asking price.
"Stained Glass Stories" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Introspect - 12:35
2.) Gong - 7:00
3.) The Crossing - 5:55
(side 2)
1.) Days & Changes - 8:35
2.) The Search -
11:20
The band apparently called it quits following the album's release. Perone subsequently reappeared with an even more obscure 1981 solo album "Oceans of Art" which included backing from former cohorts Callan, Caronia and Doncroft. Also, in case you care about stuff like this, the album shows up in Hans Pokora's 3001 Record Collectors Dreams as a four record rarity.