Spring (6) – Spring

Does anyone know if there is a sound difference between the UK and the German pressing?

Best thrift store find ever, hands down! Thank you to whoever didn’t know what they had.

Does anyone any of the tour dates around South Wales??? This was our favorite album for all night listening under the influence of powerful mind altering substances. I just can't where I saw them.(Newport or Cardiff) Didn't realize they were so popular. I still play my copy but not as wasted as I used to.

This album is the holy grail for many a Mellotron fan. Three guys are credited to playing the Mellotron, although there's disputes that they owned three Mellotrons (the liner notes claim there's no overdubbing aside from some acoustic guitar, and it sounds like three Mellotrons are playing on the opening cut, "The Prisoner (Eight by Ten)"). The group featured vocalist Pat Moran who later became a studio engineer, and future Dire Straits drummer Pick Withers (spelled Pique here). Regardless, aside from the acoustic "Boats" and Elton John-ish "Song to Absent Friends (The Island)", every song is absolutely loaded with Mellotron. At times they sound like a more down-to-earth Moody Blues. In fact the music really isn't too much more complex than what the Moodies come up, but if you're put off by the Moodies cosmic lyrics and philosophy, Spring has a much more down to earth approach. This group just lays it on thick with the Mellotron. I ed when I first heard this, I found the vocals rather peculiar, yes Pat Moran's vocals might need getting a little used to. I guess the biggest detractors come from those wishing for more complex prog. This isn't Gentle Giant. For me, as much as I enjoy Gentle Giant as the next proghead, I also feel that my prog doesn't always need Gentle Giant type complexity to be enjoyable, and Spring proves that. But those who do praise the album, it's really the classic they make it out to be. As with most RCA/Neon titles, the original LP is very difficult to find. Comes with a triple gatefold, and artwork from Keef, same guy responsible for Rod Stewart's Gasoline Alley (the UK version), Manfred Mann's Chapter III Vol. 2, Cressida's Asylum, Colosseum's Valentyne Suite, and other Vertigo artists and even Neon (particularly Tonton Macoute and Indian Summer). I recommend Spring for those who like Mellotron heavy early British prog.