Flaming Bess - Tanz der Götter (Reissue) (1979/2003)

The trio Flaming Bess comes from Dusseldorf. The band was founded in 1969, ten years later their first record appeared. It was supported by several guest musicians and a speaker. Exactly, a speaker, not a singer, because "Dance of the Gods" is a narrated story, in which each piece is quasi a chapter of the story preceded. In terms of content, the very worst prog clichés are served: "Dance of the Gods" is a fantasy story about wizards, swamp goblins, sulfur-spewing gnomes, whose title-heroine bears the name of the band - Flaming Bess.

Musically, "Dance of the Gods" features typical symphonic 70s prog of the lighter kind, with emphasis on keyboards and more restrained use of guitar. The music is not very complex, but nice to hear. For my taste, the whole thing is a bit too smooth. ~ Jochen Rindfrey