Eela Craig - Hats Of Glass (1978) LP

This often overlooked Austrian band epitomizes the whole Austrian progressive movement. The prime mover is Hubert Bognermayr (keyboards and vocals) who later became known because of his pioneering with the Fairlight computer and his 'electronic hunter's lodge' (blessed by international musicians and the famous Bob Moog). The other members were Hubert Schnauer (keyboards and flute), Harald Zuschader (keyboards, flute and guitar), Fritz Riedelberger (guitar, piano and vocals), Gerhard Englisch (bas and percussion) and Frank Hueber (drums and percussion). They released the eponymous first album ('71), "One Niter" ('76), "Hats of Glass" ('77), "Missa Universalis" ('78), "Virgin Oiland" ('80), "Hit or Miss" ('88) and "Symphonic Rock" (from '95 containing the 2nd and 3rd LP on 1 CD). I'm only familiar with the LP's "One Niter" and "Hats of Glass". The music on these albums is 24-carat symphonic rock but hard to compare, maybe some hints from RICK WAKEMAN solo, ELOY, PINK FLOYD and CAMEL can be traced.

My collection contains the great compilation-CD "Symphonic Rock" including the songs from the albums "One Niter" and "Hats of Glass", considered as their best ones (I prefer the more compelling "One Niter"). The melodic and harmonic music from EELA CRAIG is build upon beautiful interplay between four members with their keyboards (ranging from soaring strings and bombastic choir-Mellotron to the typical sound of the Fender Rhodes electric piano, sensational Moog flights, swinging clavinet and powerful Hammond organ runs) and sensitive and howling electric guitarplay. The moving compositions sound warm and are coloured with lots of instruments, from the aforementioned keyboards to flute, acoustic guitar and assorted percussion. Wonderful symphonic rock that takes you to cloud number nine!