Fireballet – Two, Too (reissue: Inner Knot, 2014/original release: Passport PPSD 98016, 1976)
American progressive rock band Fireballet has been in the news lately because of the remastered reissues of its two highly sought albums on CD. I recently reviewed the band’s first album, which was solid symphonic progressive rock. The band’s second album, Two, Too had an unattractive cover featuring band members dressed as ballerinas.
Aside from the cover, some progressive rock bands trashed this album because it strayed away from the captivating symphonic rock of the first album. What characterizes Two, Too is the Americanization of the music in the vocal and musical arrangements. There is still some great symphonic progressive rock. The opening piece, ‘Carrollon’ blends Yes and ELP-style (the instrumental parts sound like Steve Howe and Chris Squire jamming with ELP) prog with well-crafted vocal harmonies and cinematic American Western-type sounds. There is also a zany section that recalls some of Frank Zapa’s wacky works.
Track 2, ‘Great Expectations’ takes the band into a pop direction with catchy beats and Styx style soft-rock vocals.
Progressive rock returns on ‘Chinatown Boulevards’ with an unexpected mix of classic progressive rock, a real string section, retro jazz vocals, jazz-rock and Broadway-style Chinese melodies. It’s an odd mix that takes time to get used to, but I happen to like the experiment.
Track 4, ‘It’s About time’ features a rare combination of pop-rock, occasional progressive rock passages and elaborate vocal work.
‘Desiree’ is the most poppy song on the album and the least attractive in my opinion.
Soft rock and pop prevails again on ‘Flash.’
The last piece from the original album is ‘Montage en Filigre’ a delightful composition featuring a beautifully crafted fusion of vocals, classical strings and electric organ. Brazilian musician Eumir Deodato provided the string arrangements.
The 2014 reissue includes a bonus track recorded live in 1974. It’s a short excerpt from ‘Mars.’
In a recent interview with Japanese magazine Euro Rock Press, vocalist and composer Jim Cuomo revealed that originally the second album was supposed to be titled Mars. The band had planned to include a 30-minute epic based around Gustav Holst’s memorable composition. However, the record label steered the band in another direction. This is not the first time I’ve heard a story about a record label chopping up a lengthy progressive rock suite.
The lineup on this recording includes Jim Cuomo on lead vocals, percussion and keyboards; Ryche Chlanda on guitars, Chinese zither and mandolin; Brian Hough on organ, synthesizers, saxophones, recorder and vocals; Frank Petto on piano, synthesizers, accordion and vocals; and Martin “Spike” Biglin on bass, bass pedals. They are joined by a large cast of instrumentalists, vocalists and string ensemble.
Keyboard wizard Larry “Sygergy” Fast remastered the album. The artwork was also redone. The new edition comes with an embossed digipak and new cover artwork (you can still see the old artwork inside, through the clear CD tray).
Buy the Two, Too CD or digital download.