D. Beaver ~ USA ~ Memphis, Tennessee

Combinations (1973)

---9/29/10

Memphis based progressive rock band lead by keyboardist David Beaver, formed from the ashes of another obscure group called Edgewood. Beaver's group sounds like so many of the albums coming from England at this time, especially acts found on the Dawn or Neon labels. This isn't hyper complex progressive rock, definitely more song oriented, but with plenty of variety in the instrumentals (violin, harpsichord) and song structures (there are 16 tracks including intervals). I also hear distinct references to bands such as Flash and Morgan.

---5/20/23

And you can add Yes to that mix, especially at the beginning of the album. There is a strong AOR component throughout. As stated above, it's more song oriented with not too much instrumental interplay. Overall, Combinations is an enjoyable listen. My rating remains the same, but I can find room for this title in the collection.

Ownership: 1973 TMI (LP). Gatefold. Interesting to note that David Beaver never once uses his full name in the lengthy credits on the back. Just D. Beaver. 

No reissues exist as of 3/31/25.

9/29/10 (first listen/review); 5/20/23 (update/new entry)

Leviathan ~ USA ~ Memphis, Tennessee

Leviathan (1974)

Leviathan were a band from Memphis, Tennessee, who managed to squeak out one LP before being dumped into the $1 bins of the day (not so any more). Opening with a mellotron blast, one could easily be swayed into thinking this will be a full on prog rock extravaganza. Couple that with the long songs and intriguing album titles, this will be a sure fire winner along the lines of Mirthrandir or Cathedral. Right? Wrong. Leviathan are basically a hard rock band, with a few stretched ideas, and a keyboardist who loves him some mellotron (it's all over this disc). Once you buy into the correct premise, the album delivers a fine set of tunes, with highlights that include 'Arabesque', 'Endless Dream', and 'Angel of Death'. The album sort of poops out at the end, and leaves the listener with a bad taste. Sort of like eating the peas after the steak. In any case, this is an album I owned for many years (both on LP and dubious CD), and pushed them both into the sell bin. Another Mach LP copy floated my way recently, and this visit proved to me that Leviathan is a fine mid 70s hard rock album.

Ownership: 1974 Mach (LP)

1992 (first listen); 5/7/17 (review)