B

Earth & Fire

Band members Related acts

- Manuela Berloth (aka Liesette) - vocals (1968-)
- Theo Hurts - bass (replaced Hans Zeich) (1974-78)
- Jerney Kaagman - vocals (replaced Lisette (1969-)
- Cees Kalis - drums (1968-69)
- Chris Koerts - vocals, guitar (1968-80)
- Gerard Koerts - keyboards, woodwinds (1968-)
- Ronnie Meyes - vocals, guitar (replaced Chris Koerts) (1980-)
- Bert Ruiter - bass (replaced Theo Hurts) (1978-)
- Ton Van Der Kelij - drums, percussion, backing vocals (replaced Cees Kalis) (1969-78)
- Appie Tamboer - drums (replaced Ton Van Der Kelij) (1978-)
- Hans Ziech - bass (1968-74)

- Brainbox (Ronnie Meyes)
- Focus (Bert Ruiter)

Rating: ** (4 stars) Title: Earth and Fire Company: Polydor Catalog: 2441 011 Year: 1970 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve; Dutch pressing Available: SOLD** Price: $120.00	Focus, Golden Earring, Shocking Blue ... all demonstrate that American audiences have repeatedly embraced Dutch bands. Naturally, not all Dutch acts enjoyed the same American success - witness Earth & Fire (not to be confused with Earth, Wind & Fire). Living in the rock and roll hotbed of Voorschoten, Holland the mid-'60s saw twin brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts playing in a number of local bands including The Swinging Strings. 1968 saw the two decide form their own band. Recruiting drummer Cees Kalis (drums) and bassist Hans Ziech (both had been in the band Soul) and vocalist Liesette (aka Manuela Berloth), the line up started gigging under the catchy name Opus Gainfull. Within a matter of months problems with her eyes forced Liesette to drop out. She was quickly replaced by former The Rangers vocalist Jerney Kaagman. Local successes won the band an opening slot on a Golden Earring 1969 European tour. Following the tour, Golden Earring singer/guitarist George Kooymans offered the band an opportunity to record a song he'd recently written. "Seasons" quickly attracted the attention of Polydor (coincidently Golden Earrings' label). Released as a single, the track b/w "Paradise" (Polydor catalog number 5670) went top-10 in Holland. Another personnel change saw Kalis replaced by ex-Summer drummer Ton Van Der Kelij. Penned by Chris Koerts, a follow up "Ruby Is the One" b/w "" did equally well, convincing all five mambers to quit school and turn full time musicians. With the band having enjoyed a pair of hits, Polydor agreed to finance an album. 1970's "Earth & Fire" offered up a surprisingly impressive set of originals (the lone exception being the inclusion of Kooyman's "Seasons"). Released as a single, "Wild and Exciting" b/w "Invatation" provided the band with another top-10 Dutch hit. The original album was releaseed with a unique Roger Dean designed matchbox-styled gatefold cover. The debut is also the only Earth & Fire set to see a formal American release; the small Red Bullet label somehow acquiring domestic distribution rights. "Earth & Fire" track listing: 1.) Wild and Exciting 2.) Twilight Dreamer 3.) Ruby Is the One (Chris Koerts) - 4.) You Know the Way 5.) Vivid Shady Land 6.) 21th Century Show 7.) Seasons (George Kooymans) - 8.) Love Quiver 9.) What's Your Name

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Song of the Marching Children Company: Polydor Catalog: 2925 003 Year: 1971 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve; Dutch pressing Available: 1 Price: $60.00	Produced by Fred Haayan and Jaap Eggermont, 1971's "Song of Marching Children" found the band stretching out in a distinctively progressive mode (check out multi-segmented title suite on the second side). Apparently intended as a concept piece focusing on the concept of rebirth (the plotline was lost to us), like the debut the Koerts brothers and Ziech were again responsible for the majority of material. To be honest, the first time we heard the LP it didn't make much of an impression on us. That initial impression changes if you give the collection half a chance. Admittedly, exemplified by tracks such as "Carnaval of the Animals" and church organ propelled "Storm and Thunder" (edited down and released as a single, the track provided the band with another Dutch hit), Kaagman's limited little girl voice and labored English delivery took some getting use to. Similarly, as shown on the back cover, the group's English lyrics were frequently bizarre and baffling ("and then the rabbit pricus up it's ears"). On the other hand, the set's dark and measured sound had an odd and soothing appeal (if you doubt us, check out the catchy "Ebbtide" and "Affliction"). Apparently deemed too uncommercial for US audiences, the set never saw an American release. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) "Song of Marching Children" track listing: 1.) Carnaval of the Animals (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 2:46 2.) Ebbtide (Ton Van Der Kelij - Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 3:15 3.) Storm and Thunder (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 6:36 4.) Song of the Marching Children a.) Theme of the Marching Children (instrumental) (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 2:20 b.) Opening of the Sea (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts)l - 1:12 c.) Childhood (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 3:10 d.) Affliction (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 1:30 e.) Damnation (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 2:52 f.) Purification (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 4:23 g.) The March (Gerard Koerts - Hans Ziech - Chris Koerts) - 3:05

Rating: * (3 stars) Title: Atlantis Company: Polydor Catalog: 2925 013 Year: 1973 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: Dutch pressing Available: SOLD** Price: $40.00	Produced by Jaap Eggermont, 1972's "Atlantis" found the band bitten by the concept album bug. While the Dutch-to-English translations were occassionally clumsy, the album was built on the story of the rise and fall of Atlantis. Certainly not the year's most original concept. Musically the collection wasn't a major change in direction, though material such as "Maybe Tomorrow" and "Memories" sounded like the band had stolen a page out of the Moody Blues catalog - check out Gerald Koerts extensive use of the mellotron. "Atlantis" track listing: 1.) Atlantis: a.) Prelude b.) Prologue (Don't Know) 2.) The Rise and Fall (Under a Cloudy Sky) 3.) Theme of Atlantis, 4.) The Threat (Suddenly) 5.) Destruction (Rumbling from Inside the Earth) 6.) Epilogue (Don't Know) 7.) Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight 8.) Interlude 9.) Fanfare 10.) Theme from Atlantis 11.) Love Please Close the Door

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