One of the few '60s Belgian rock groups of note, the Blackbirds were among the most curious of the numerous sullen bands to emerge from the low countries (principally Holland) during that era. Their arrangements were in some respects rooted in the organ-dominated combos of the British Invasion/beat music era, following the mold of the Animals or, more arcanely, the moody Dutch group Les Baroques. The choked, slightly psychedelic texture of the organ had a more cathedral-like feel than the ones employed by the Animals or Les Baroques, though, looking forward in some ways to the approach characteristic of psychedelic and progressive rock.
Lyrically the Blackbirds were odd birds, delivering brooding and morose sentiments in a groping and occasionally half-sardonic, half-cheery fashion, indicating perhaps that their grasp of the actual meaning of the English words they sang was less than perfect. Melodically they also seemed indebted to the church, as their tunes and harmonies had a pious, almost hymnal tone.
British Invasion and R&B influences can still be detected on their 1968 debut album, though on their second and final effort (from 1971), they were moving in a more avowedly prog rock direction with greater emphasis on pseudo-classical arrangements and extended instrumental sections. As of the late '90s, these guys were still unknown even in hardcore '60s/psychedelic/progressive collector's circles; they're a cult group waiting to happen.(Richie Unterberger, allmusic.com)
Mr Unterberger write the Blackbirds were a BELGIAN band. Folks believe me they were a german band. And the whole review is just antic. Here is a short bio by progarchives.com:
Blackbirds biography
THE BLACKBIRDS were originally formed in south-west Germany and they released their first album "No Destination" on UK-Label Saga in 1968.
THE BLACKBIRDS consists of psychedelic beat/pop music with a touch of the Mothers of Invention type satire (Something Different) and some progressive touches. Strong vocals by singer and guitar player Werner Breinig and some interesting Hammond organ work by Hubert Koop are characteristic of the group's music which proves a great talent of specific song writing. The German label OPP released 5 tracks of this first album on the "Snake in the Grass" album later on. 2nd album "A Touch Of Music", originally released in 1971 on German Label OPP with a complete new line-up - with the exception of singer and guitar player Werner Breinig who now played violin and flute as well- and a complete new style of music. They adopted a nice, poetic and classical (not symphonic) influenced progressive style with long tracks. There was also room for some more powerful passages inbetween, characteristic for the early seventies progressive music we all have learned to love (Dag Erik Asbjornsen, Cosmic Dreams At Play).
Unfortunately, THE BLACKBIRDS were disbanded after these two album.
Both original THE BLACKBIRDS albums are very rare but thanks to German Label Long Hair, both albums are reissued with some bonus tracks.(progarchives.com)
Have fun
SB1 Flac p1 & Flac p2 mp3@320
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