Spring + Spring 2. 1971 England

If there was ever an album that confused me on what the term "progressive rock" meant, it had to be Spring's sole effort (sans later bootlegs of course). What do I mean by that? Ah yes, quick context setting for those reading this. In the 1980s, as a young lad hungry to hear everything that was labeled with the almighty "progressive" tag, I can assure you that Spring was very much at the top of every catalog writers' best-of lists. THREE MELLOTRONS!! TRIPLE FOLD OUT COVER! LONG TRACKS! My imagination went wild. Then I got hold of some crappy bootleg LP that I no doubt paid way too much for (even then, originals were way beyond my pauper budget). You won't see that boot LP listed in too many places (good!) but it came out in the late 80s. Dull single sleeve. Dull vinyl. Dull music. Well... that's how I heard it anyway. Bootlegs are never a good way to learn about an album (lesson learned for a young Genius Hand), but this one even went beyond the sloppy sonics. As in - exactly what is "progressive" about this? My cynical nature was coming to the fore - more like 3 people who play the mellotron - not 3 mellotrons (which is probably a true observation actually*). Big deal! Not a time signature change in sight. Whoopdee-doo. *- in fact, as the Esoteric CD liner notes point out, my observation was indeed correct.

So what changed? Me, of course. Years of spending time with the original late 60s / early 70's progressive movement has provided me with the right context for which this album had originally come from. Now I hear something that was considered progressive in 1971, but maybe not what the term meant to me by 1988. Spring features some fine songwriting, and wonderful textures (mellotron of course, but even the fuzz guitar and organ too). Even Pat Moran's infamous nasal vocals sound good to me now! If you're a fan of the Dawn / Neon / Transatlantic / Deram branch of early 70s English progressive rock, then no doubt Spring will be a welcome addition.

As it turns out, that is not the end of the Spring story. The archival second album from Spring is not well understood. Its very existence in the marketplace for many years was in the sole possession of pirates, and thus few knew the story, or heard the album properly. As one will find out seeking this album, all of the first releases are nonsense, lining the pockets of those who see no particularly good reason to pay licensing fees and royalties.

Finally in 2015, the good folks at Esoteric released the album in full, as a bonus album to the debut - the perfect way for tapes such as these to be issued. It is now with the story in hand, that we learn why Spring 2 sounds the way it does. In effect, the group was looking to move towards jazz rock, though there was resistance from within. In particular, guitarist Ray Martinez wanted to maintain the progressive rock course they had started along. As is usually the case with innovative bands in the early 70s, their recorded output translated well with critics, but not with buyers. All of this lead to frustration and conflict - and Spring had sprung.

These recordings - also from 1971 - demonstrated where the band was headed. To my ears, the group's sound actually sounds older here, something akin to a 1969 or 70 jazz rock sound. The mellotron has been diminished considerably and the organ is pushed up front. I find it just as enjoyable as the debut, though admittedly they do sound almost like two different bands. There's a bit more pop sensibility this time around as well, and Spring proved to be adept at that as well.

The songs presented here are of variable sound quality, as they were culled from different sources. Some no doubt from the very bootlegs listed here. It's worth noting that save 'Hendre Mews', all the track names are slightly different to what was previously understood to be the case.

Ownership: LP: 1971 Neon. Incredible triple fold out cover. Online acquisition (2024).

CD: 2015 Esoteric. Jewel case. Full set of historical liners.

I started in the 80s with a (gasp) bootleg LP and didn't like the music - at all. I tried again with the Laser's Edge CD in 1992 and sold it quickly as well. With the attainment of the original LP, I'm letting go of the Akarma triple FOC reissue.

1988 (first listen); 1992; 9/18/13; 11/28/19 (review/new entry)