Friday, June 18, 2021

Druid (prog rock, symphonic rock, art rock / England)


Druid were a 1970's progressive rock band from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England
 and initially came to public attention by winning a 1974 unsigned band contest by Melody Maker magazine. The band went on to perform on The Old Grey Whistle Test and to record two albums. Their sound was notably influenced by Yes.

In '75 they released their debut-LP "Towards the Sun" and a year later a second album entitled "Fluid Druid".

Their first effort is their best: fluent and melodic songs, layered with mellotron, often in combination with sensitive electric guitarwork. The echoes from YES are obvious: lots of vocal harmonies, a Chris SQUIRE-like bass, WAKEMANesque keyboards and even the high-pitched vocals like Jon ANDERSON.  The second LP entitled "Fluid Druid" is in the vein of their first but less mature, as if the band is a bit running out of ideas.

After the demise of Druid, Neil Brewer and Dane Stevens formed the Never Never Band with a more commercial approach.

Former member Cedric Sharpley, who went on to back Gary Numan in the band Tubeway Army, died from a heart attack on 13 March 2012. 

Years active: 1971 -1977


Line-up

Cedric Sharpley - drums (founding member; died 2012)

Neil Brewer - bass (founding member)

Dane Stevens - vocals, guitars (founding member)

Andrew McCrorie-Shand - keyboards (joined 1974)


Discography:

- Toward the Sun (1975)

-  Fluid Druid (1976)


Druid - Fluid Druid  (1976, Full Album): https://youtu.be/4hP_y4Eb-3I :




Source: wikipedia , prog archives

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