Fruupp / Modern Masquerades (1975)

Ireland

Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog

Best progressive rock band to have emerged in Northern Ireland, Fruupp doesn't know it yet but they only have a short year left to live when their Modern Masquerades come out. If, a few months earlier, the band had just lost its historic keyboardist, Stephen Houston, who had left to live his religious fervor to the full – the man would end up as a vicar – a worthy replacement was quickly found in the person of John Mason. So it's a whole new band full of energy that records this fourth opus, proving that it still has a lot to say. Unfortunately, the beautiful promises glimpsed on this final album were not kept, since in 1976 Fruupp decided to definitively cease its activities, abdicating like many progressive artists in the face of the punk wave that was sweeping the United Kingdom.

If we find on Modern Masquerades the perfectly chiselled symphonic rock side of the beginnings, like Gryphon, the music offered is now less baroque, although the cover could have suggested the opposite. The Irish develop here a more energetic and more direct progressive rock, going so far as to offer passages that are sometimes downright jazz-rock (the entire second part of "Mystery Might", the central break of "Sheba's Song") at the limit of l improvisation, proof of undeniable technical mastery. The intensive use of electric piano contributes a lot to this jazzy feeling and to the new sound identity of the group.

That being said, Fruupp's progressive rock remains above all in the purest British style of the 70s. 'we often think of Camel from the Mirage period ("Misty Morning Way") or Genesis (the keyboard opening of "Mystery Might" furiously resembles that of "The Carpet Crawlers"). To continue in the references, we will also spot some harmonies and changes of direction like Gentle Giant.

The high point of the disc, the 10 minutes of "Gormenghast" constitute a pure moment of happiness, in a hushed and symphonic vein which remains very close to traditional Fruupp. Rather paradoxical when you know that the song in question was actually written by the new kid on the block, John Mason! We will note in passing the presence of a few lines of saxophone of the best effect, works of a certain Ian McDonald, the ex-King Crimson having been entrusted with the responsibility of the production (clear and limpid, as we knew so well the do in the seventies).

If Modern Masquerades is quite recommendable, certain weaknesses nevertheless prevent the album from reaching the heights, and undoubtedly explain why History has not really retained the name of Fruupp. First of all, the singing, provided by bassist Peter Farrelly, is frankly nondescript and brings nothing to the compositions. Then, the pop-rock side of the end of the 60s like The Beatles or Caravan on "Masquerading With Dawn", and even more the unbearable "Janet Planet", really breaks the atmosphere.

Members

Vince McCusker (guitar, vocals), Peter Farrelly (vocals, bass), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, cello, violin, 1971-74), John Mason (keyboards, 1975-76), Martin Foye (drums)

Track Listing

01. Misty Morning Way (6:56)

02. Masquerading With Dawn (7:16)

03. Gormenghast 10:46)

04. Mystery Might (8:22)

05. Why (4:11)

06. Janet Planet (2:57)

07. Sheba's Song (8:32)

YANDEX

Fruupp / The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (1974)

Ireland

Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog

Later in the year, the band would release their third album, The Prince of Heaven's Eyes, which was also not selling very well. They also released a single in October, with Prince of Darkness and The Prince of Heaven released back-to-back as singles. Neither did business in Ireland.

The third album in the discography of the Irish symphonic prog quartet. In fact, a benefit performance by oboist organist Stephen Houston (he composed the lion's share of the compositions on the disc). As a result, we have the softest-sounding material in the asset of the team. Conceptual musical fairy tale, based on an old Irish legend, develops according to the laws of a musical rather than a standard art-rock album. Bass-guitarist-vocalist Peter Farelli, following the example of namesake Gabriel (Genesis), in each song tries to give his own character to every character on behalf of whom he broadcasts (by the way, the voice timbres of both Peters are very similar). Keyboard arrangements are distinguished by virtuosity and some surprisingly elegant "Mozartian" flavor. Along with synths, Houston makes liberal use of clean piano, whose interplay with Vince McCusker's guitar evokes Queen analogies. The exquisite palette of the album combines various stylistic elements: waltz, rock opera, rhythm and blues, symphonic classics, etc. A lot of nuances, shades and moods. Vibrant kaleidoscope.

Even before the official release of the record, the composer and organist Houston left the ranks of Fruupp, explaining this simply: within the framework of the team, he managed to realize everything he wanted. This fact greatly influenced the rest of the ensemble. The album "Modern Masquerades", which went on sale in 1975, turned out to be uneven and, by and large, forced. There was no continuation.

Members

Vince McCusker (guitar, vocals), Peter Farrelly (vocals, bass), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, cello, violin, 1971-74), John Mason (keyboards, 1975-76), Martin Foye (drums)

Track Listing

01. It's All Up Now (7:22)

02. Prince Of Darkness (3:49)

03. Jaunting Car (2:26)

04. Annie Austere (5:19)

05. Knowing You (2:46)

06. Crystal Brook (8:04)

07. Seaward Sunset (3:07)

08. The Perfect Wish (9:58)

Bonus Tracks.

09. Prince Of Heaven (3:34)

10. Jaunting Car (Single Version) (2:29)

YANDEX

Fruupp / Seven Secrets (1974)

Ireland

Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog

It's a good progressive rock album but probably not the best of the band. A little too "cheesy" for my taste, a little too simple, a little too long at times and probably not complex enough to earn its four stars. There are in the UK and at the same time a multitude of albums which finish above these 7 secrets, even if Elizabeth closes the album superbly and deserves a four star.

In early 1974, Fruupp announced plans for a second album and a change of producer. They reported that David Lewis, former member of Andwella's Dream, will be working with them. Work on a new album has begun in the city. At the end of April, the new album called Seven Secrets was completed and released on 19. In the summer of 1974, plans were announced for a major Irish and British tour. It would be called Fruupp's Midsummer Dream. The band planned to promote the album and stay in a house in Clonmel for a long time, during which time they would produce and rehearse tracks for a third album to be released later in the year.

As the title suggests, there were only seven tracks on the new album. Like other bands of the era such as Genesis, Fruupp experimented with various influences including jazz, classical and Irish traditional music. The results were longer pieces with heavy instrumental passages. Unfortunately, outside of their hometowns, the band wasn't able to really make it in the UK or Ireland.

Members

Vince McCusker (guitar, vocals), Peter Farrelly (vocals, bass), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, cello, violin, 1971-74), John Mason (keyboards, 1975-76), Martin Foye (drums)

Track Listing

01. Faced With Shekinah (8:23)

02. Wise As Wisdom (7:07)

03. White Eyes (7:17)

04. Garden Lady (9:09)

05. Three Spires (5:02)

06. Elizabeth (7:48)

07. The Seventh Secret (1:11)

YANDEX

Fruupp / Future Legends (1973)

Ireland

Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog

Fruupp started life as a heavy rock band in 1970 or 1971. Even members of the group seem to have trouble pinpointing the beginning of the group, but they agree that the name Fruupp was adapted by one of the first series featuring Vincent McCusker. Contrary to stories circulating in the rehearsal studio about the name coming from a ghost, principal Paul Charles explained that the only letters left from an Electraset were F, R, U, and P, adding an extra U and P to get the name Fruupp.

Vince left Belfast for London in early 1971 to meet with his longtime friend and future manager, Paul Charles. In his absence, various musicians used the name Fruupp while performing. It seems that Paul and Vincent had hoped to form a band to play in England, but when things didn't work out, Vincent returned to Belfast and Fruupp returned.

The first reference we can find to the group is in the June 26, 1971 issue of Spotlight in the Wee North column by Colin McLelland. A post about the band reuniting after breaking up earlier in the year and adding a new bassist and drummer. The "new" lineup: Miles McKee (aka Tinhead-vocals), Steve Houston (keyboards), Vincent McCusker (guitar), Martin Foy (e) (drums) and Peter Farrelly (bass).

Miles had also been involved in previous bands like Vince. Steve was a classically trained pianist and was part of the BBC Youth Orchestra before joining the band. Martin had played in several bands before starting drums with Fossett's Circus. Peter was a Lead Guitarist recruited because the band's original music required a "lead" guitarist.

By 1973 the band had stepped in and prepared to record their first album. They had a very successful tour of Ireland, but were still mainly playing against England and the Continent. They signed a recording deal with Dawn Records, a subsidiary of the Pye label, and went to the studio to record the album in July. Future Legends was released in October 1973. It contained eight tracks, each written by Vince McCusker. It received mixed reviews and did not sell well, but the band would still go on to record three more albums. The BBC recorded one of the band's concerts for the "Ireland's Eye" series at Christmas.

Members

Vince McCusker (guitar, vocals), Peter Farrelly (vocals, bass), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, cello, violin, 1971-74), John Mason (keyboards, 1975-76), Martin Foye (drums)

Track Listing

01. Future Legends (1:31)

02. Decision (6:24)

03. As Day Breaks With Dawn (5:00)

04. Graveyard Epistle (6:14)

05. Lord Of The Incubus (6:25)

06. Olde Tyme Future (5:35)

07. Song For A Thought (7:30)

08. Future Legends (0:54)

09. On A Clear Day (Bonus Track) (7:48)

YANDEX