When I first bought the LP of this album over 30 years ago, I was somewhat disappointed with the result. Of course, like most folks, I had heard the two albums preceding it, thus setting up the wrong expectation. And I feel this album still suffers for that same reason among the general progressive rock listening populace. The first two albums, of course, are barn burners - and Galleons of Passion is anything but. It's more a slow to mid-paced instrumental album, similar to many of the Neo Prog albums later to come from The Netherlands actually.
But on close inspection, one can hear that Finch had already moved in this direction on Side 2 of Beyond Expression. And what makes it successful is the superb guitar playing of Joop van Nimwegen. He clearly is one to wear his emotions on his guitar sleeve, and his playing here is incredibly expressive. In this way, Nimwegen could be compared to Mario Millo over in Australia. In fact, that to me is what Galleons of Passion reminds me of most: Sebastian Hardie. The appropriately named 'Reconciling' closes the album in more kinetic fashion, hence reconciling with their past Glories.
This proved to be the end for Finch, though fortunately some fantastic archival recordings would surface some 15 years later, including one that demonstrates a more raw version of this album. That's for another day...
Ownership: LP: 1977 Rockburgh (UK). Single sleeve with an awesome cover, one that I present on my wall of albums. Online acquisition (2011). The first copy I bought was in 1985 via Goldmine mail order. Purchased along with Agitation Free's Malesch and Finch's second album. I did sell that copy when I got the CD. Despite there existing a native press, the Rockburgh issue is generally considered the original.
1985; 3//11; 7/13/16; 1/1/17 (new entry)
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