Night On Bald Mountain (reissue: Inner Knot, 2014/original release LP Passport 9167-98010, 1975)
During the 1970s you had progressive rock bands that were influenced by Genesis, others by ELP, Yes, and so forth. American band Fireballet, however, brought together all these influences and mixed them up successfully. On their debut album, Night On Bald Mountain, you can hear skilled synth solos that sound like high energy Keith Emerson as well as more bucolic direction with elements of Genesis.
This new version of Night On Bald Mountain is a remastered edition released on CD and digital format. Keyboard wizard Larry Fast remastered the album and the results are spectacular. Make sure that if you buy the CD, you get the Inner Knot digipack version. There is at least one poor quality pirate version of the original LP circulating around, released on a Swedish label.
The opening track is a 10-minute suite titled ‘Les Cathédrales’ that has a mix of ELP and King Crimson. The King Crimson influence is no coincidence. King Crimson’s Ian McDonald produced the album and plays saxophone on this piece.
The vocals on ‘Centurion (tales of the fireball kids)’ have an American flavor. The music however is totally influenced by British symphonic progressive rock, especially ELP.
‘The Fireballet’ presents Yes-style vocal harmonies and well-crafted guitar solos and bass with a classical conclusion.
‘Atmospheres’ is a delightful piece that has a prog-era Genesis essence, including the vocals, piano, flute, and acoustic and electric guitars.
The masterpiece on the album is the nearly 19-minute suite ‘Night on Bald Mountain’ based on the works of influential Russian classical composer Mussorgsky. Fireballet transforms a well-known classical work into high intensity progressive rock. In between the classical elements, the group embeds more influences from the British masters. There are even segments borrowed from ELP’s ‘Tarkus’ and ‘Abaddon’s Bolero’ plus Steve Hackett-style guitars; ELP, Yes and Genesis-designed keyboards; Steve Howe-influenced guitars; and King Crimsonesque dramatic vocals and overdubbed saxophones.
The 2014 edition has two bonus tracks. The first one is a laid back 1977 song called ‘Robot Salesman.’ Although it has classical strings, it sounds more like a loungy song with a little vocoder added in. The second bonus piece is over 11-minutes long, recorded in 1974. This sounds like rehearsal demo with a jazzier saxophone-led King Crimson sound with lots of improvisation.
The line-up on Night On Bald Mountain featured outstanding musicians: Jim Cuomo on lead vocals, drums, timpani, xylophone, vibes, glockenspiel, Chinese bell tree, gongs, finger cymbals, tubular bells and triangle; Brian Hough on Hammond organ, pipe organ, celeste and backing vocals; Ryche Chlanda on acoustic and electric guitars, electronic devices, and backing vocals; Frank Petto on acoustic and electric piano, ARP 2600 synthesizer, Mellotron, electronic strings, Oberheim DS-2 digital sequencer, and backing vocals; and Martyn “Spike” Biglin on bass, 12 string acoustic guitar, bass pedals, Moog Taurus pedals. Ian McDonald appears on alto saxophone and flute on four pieces.
Overall, Night On Bald Mountain is a wonderful progressive rock album that brings together multiple influences by the classic progressive rock masters.
Buy the CD or digital download of Night On Bald Mountain in North America