Burning Red Ivanhoe — Canal Trip – An Anthology 1969–1974
The five piece band formed back in 1967, making them one of the very first prog bands to come out of Scandinavian. The band weaved a rich & varied sound that utilized standard 60’s ‘rock’ instrumentation of guitar, bass, drums & organ. Along with Alto & tenor sax, bassoon, violin, flute, trombone, flute, harmonica, mellotron & keyboards. The band also sang in their own native tongue, though they also sung in english too.
Between 1969 & 1974 the band released seven albums: 1969’s M 144 (one of the first double albums released), 1970’s Burning Red Ivanhoe, 1971’s 6 Elefantskovcikadeviser (which was a collaboration with respected Danish folk & blues singer/ songwriter Povl Dissing), 1971’s W. W. W. , 1972’s Miley Smile/Stage Recall, 1974’s Still Fresh, and also from 1974 Right On. This two disc set takes in fairly big chunks of the above listed titles, and is truly a most rewarding listen through-out.
Disc one opens with ten track from the bands debut album M 144, and these tracks go from jiving & bonding groove of “Ivanhoe I Brondbyerne” which mixes together organ cascading psychedelic rock, jazz rock weaves, and dazed/ hazed organ & vocal break-downs. Onto to tick/ tock nursery rhythm meets almost funk strutting guitar riff of “Purple Hearts”, which merges psychedelic 60’s pop rock, heady flute weaves, and tipped-out organ weaves. Though to pumping horn ‘n’ rolling piano riffing of “Ivanhoe In The Woods”, which sounds like a jiving mix of ska, jazz rock & psychedelic rock.
Disc one finishers with four tracks from the bands second album 1970’s Burning Red Ivanhoe, and these take in the likes of: “Canal Trip”, which mixers together a sort a galloping folk rock groove with mellow sax honks & weaves. “Gong Gong The Elephant” which mixers Zappa like Jazz rock riffing, harmonica soloing over bounding rock groove, and the odd more walling free jazz break-down.
Disc two firstly takes in four tracks from the bands 1971 album W.W.W., and these go from the bounding & memorable 1970’s pop rock meets mellow jazzy sax tipped vibe of “All About All”. Onto the more moody & slightly angular feel of “ Kaske-Vous Karsemose” which mixers together organ, horns, guitar, bass and violin into thick jazz rock grind.
Next on disc two we have five tracks from the bands 1972 album Miley Smile/Stage Recall, and these take in the likes of: “Indre Landskab” which has brings together a bass, drum & organ heavy psychedelic rock groove, blues guitar licks & seriously smoking harmonica playing. “Bareback Rider” which starts off with just spread-out smoky & drifting sax honks, before kicking into more grooved-up & smouldering jazz rock/ R&B/ slightly blues tinged jam-out.
The second disc ends with four tracks from the bands 1974 album Right On, and these tracks move from the dramatic & moody 1970’s organ & piano pop rock slow rise of “When I look Into Your Eyes”. Onto near on twelve minutes of “ Rockin’ Rambler”, which mixers a scrabbling almost funk bass line, guitar struts, mellow to more impassioned sax trails, organ pumps, and passionate 1970’s rock vocals.
Before “Canal Trip” I wasn’t familiar with either Burning Red Ivanhoe, or the Scandinavian prog scene in genreal. And I must say this truly great & consistent compilation has made me want to hear more of this distinctive & creative bands work, as well as investgating Scandinavian prog in genreal. So if you have even a passing interest in jazz rock, early prog rock, or psychedelic rock this is a must have item!.