Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: The Alchemist
Company: Columbia
Catalog: 65550
Year: 1973
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: UK import; gatefold sleeve; original inner sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $80.00
We're not making this up. It comes from the liner notes ... "The original thoughts and ideas, when creating the story of
"The Alchemist" started far deeper than this album can show. Mike Stubbs had read a book called "The Dawn of Magic" and had been deeply moved by the spiritual
learnings into the art of Alchemy. Okay, now you know that 1973's "The Alchemist" is a concept piece. For those of you who are still reading, the result wasn't half bad. We'll be honest and admit that even with the inner sleeve comic book-styled narrative, the plotline was rather vague ... young boy inherits the ability to
foresee disaster; temporarily saves a village and then suffers the fatal consequences. Overlooking the plodding story, much of the music was great! Classic English progressive moves, band penned material such as the instrumental "Time Passes By", "The Old Man Calling (Save the People)" and the title track was
challenging, but tuneful and surprisingly commercial. An overlooked talent, Wisefield turned in some great guitar work; check out his work on "Rejoicing" and "The Disaster Returns". Naturally, it didn't sell squat in the UK and wasn't even released in the States. Hard to explain why, but the set's oddly compelling and we play it frequently. Definitely worth checking out !!! (The LP was originally released in a gatefold sleeve.)
"The Alchemist" track listing:
1.) Schooldays (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
2.) The Old Man Dying (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
3.) Time Passes By (instrumental) (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
4.) The Old Man Calling (Save the People) (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
5.) The Disaster (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
6.) The Sun's Revenge (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
7.) A Secret To Keep (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
8.) The Brass Band Played On (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
9.) Rejoicing (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
10.) The Disaster Returns (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
11.) The Death of the Alchemist (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
12.) The Alchemist (instrumental) (David Skillin - Mick Stubbs - Laurie Wisefield - Cliff Williams - Mick Cook) -
The band apparently recorded a fourth LP, which was shelved. Wisefield reappeared as a member of Wishbone Ash, while Williams ended up with AC/DC (talk about a change in musical direction).