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). The band was founded in Linz in 1970, and recorded its first album entitled Eela Craig in 1971 with a circulation of 1,500. Critics compared this album with established bands such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, Gentle Giant and Colosseum. The band had a few onstage performances with the Zürich Chamber Orchestra in 1972, which led to more performances in well known opera houses of Italy, Germany and Austria, uncommon venues for a rock band at the time.The band signed a contract with Virgin Records in 1975, to release a number of singles and albums, including the Christian concept album Missa Universalis, and a signature ethereal style cover version of Chris de Burgh's A Spaceman Came Travelling, both released in 1978. The band also released "Virgin Oiland" ('80), "Hit or Miss" ('88) and "Symphonic Rock". The melodic and harmonic music from EELA CRAIG is build upon beautiful interplay between four members with their keyboards 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.
Line-up / Musicians
Horst Waber/drums
Harald Zuschrader/organ,flute,guitar,sax
Hubert Bognermayer/keyboards
Gerhard English/bass
Heinz Gerstenmair/guitar,organ,vocals
Will Orthofer/vocals,sax
Discography(Album)
Eela Craig 1971
1.New born Child
2.Selfmade Trip
3.A New Way
4.Indra Elegy
5.Irminsul
6.Yggdrasil
7.Stories
8.Cheese
Listen or download Eela Craig A New Way for free on Pleer
Listen or download Eela Craig New Born Child for free on Pleer
Eela Craig - Eela Craig 1971
4:17:00 AM / by алеко / in Austria, E, Jazz Rock/Fusion, SYMPHONIC PROG /
Related Posts:
East - East 1972This band of Japanese exiles released just one album, which first appeared in 1972 and makes its long-overdue CD debut here. A melodic set featuring J… Read More
Ejwuusl Wessahqqan - Ejwuusl Wessahqqan 1975One of those obscure lost privately produced relics from the early-1970's, and not surprisingly so with such an odd name! Ejwuusl Wessahqqan (a charac… Read More
Ernst Schultz - Paranoia Picknick 1971Ernst Schultz, guitarist and vocalist of Ihre Kinder, made his first solo album in 1971. His album Paranoia Picknick was closer to the electric folk-r… Read More
Egba - Egba 1974One of the first Swedish bands to fuse jazz and rock (and occasionally African and Latin-American music as well) was Egba (photo: Pawel Lucki), led by… Read More
Energit - Energit 1975Energit was founded in 1972 from the ashes of Flamengo, wherefrom two members originate: Ivan Khunt (vocals) and Jaroslav "Erno" Sedivý (drums). Compl… Read More