This show by Dutch classic rockers Golden Earring proves why the group had the ability to break out of their native European digs. Just listen to "Big Tree, Blue Sea," an ambitious prog-rock song that features a lengthy flute solo by frontman, Barry Hay. The song was originally recorded on the band’s 1970 debut and then revamped again with an extensive flute solo when they released their breakthrough Moontan album in 1973. In the first half of the song, Hay sounds like an overzealous Roger Daltrey; when he picks up the flute, he is paying obvious debt to Ian Anderson. When the song…entire summary
Rinus Gerritsen - bass
Robert Jan Stips - keyboards
Barry Hay - vocals, flute
George Kooymans - guitar, vocals
Bertus Borgers - sax
Karl Kalf - trumpet
Cesar Zuiderwijk - drums, percussion
This show by Dutch classic rockers Golden Earring proves why the group had the ability to break out of their native European digs. Just listen to "Big Tree, Blue Sea," an ambitious prog-rock song that features a lengthy flute solo by frontman, Barry Hay. The song was originally recorded on the band’s 1970 debut and then revamped again with an extensive flute solo when they released their breakthrough Moontan album in 1973. In the first half of the song, Hay sounds like an overzealous Roger Daltrey; when he picks up the flute, he is paying obvious debt to Ian Anderson. When the song returns to a steady rock riff after George Kooyman’s blistering solo, he sounds like a possessed ghost of Jim Morrison. Not to say that everything about Golden Earring is derivative, but they certainly know how to get the best out of their influences.
One of the most powerful rock music forces to ever emerge from the Netherlands, Golden Earring is one of the few bands to achieve international chart success in three consecutive decades: First with their cover hit of the Byrds' classic "Eight Miles High" in 1969; followed by "Radar Love" in 1973; and "Twilight Zone" in 1982. The latter two songs remain staples of classic rock radio today.
A group never content to follow any formula for too long, they approached each album as if they were a new band, even reinventing their own music by redoing songs from earlier albums. In 1973, they released Moontan, their most popular album, which gained them a worldwide audience. In 1973, they toured internationally with acts such as Kiss and Aerosmith opening for them. They came back in 1982 with another huge hit, "Twilight Zone."
By the time the late 1980s rolled around, the group decided to keep their focus on Europe and Japan because they stopped charting hits in the U.S.
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