IVORY — Sad Cypress (1979-1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As underrated as the Neuschwanstein album is overrated. Both bands seemed to be going for the same thing, but I think Ivory were a lot more successful at it. They have a lush, dense dual-keyboard sound (the only prog band I know of led by a father-son duo of keyboardists) and a charming singer. As the band¡¯s leader was a sexagenarian ex-classical musician, some of this is awfully pompous: the title track based on a Shakespeare sonnet and ¡°In Hora Ultima¡± featuring some vocals in Latin. That aside, this is prime symphonic rock, some of the best from Germany actually. The four bonus tracks on the CD (with a mechanistic all-keyboard sound) are a little on the superfluous side, but the main album is definitely first-rate!
Basic symphonic progressive Genesis influenced band. The music is quite good but why, just why does the singer sing in English ? Especially when he pronounces the letter 'w' as a 'v'. Imagine ! This is simply awful. I just can't get over it. The only good tracks are the instrumentals and "In Hora Ultima" where the lyrics are latin ! The last two tracks are bonus and not as interesting. progarchives.com
Tracklist :
1.. At This Very Moment (3:57)
Written-By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
2. In Hora Ultima (7:12)
Vocals [Latin] – Antonio Ognissanti
Written-By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
3. Sad Cypress (8:34)
Lyrics By – William Shakespeare
Written-By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
4. Time Traveller (4:15)
Written-By – Thomas Sommerlatte
5. My Brother (13:52)
Written-By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
6. The Great Tower (9:44)
Written-By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
7. Incantation (4:42)
Lyrics By [Adapted From A Normandy Crucifix] – Ulrich Sommerlatte
Music By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
8. Construction N° 2 (2:29)
– BONUS TRACK –
9. Barbara (13:45)
Written-By – Ulrich Sommerlatte
Line-up / Musicians
- Ulrich Sommerlatte / Keyboards
- Thomas Sommerlatte / Keyboards
- Christian Mayer / Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
- Goddie Daum / Acoustic & Electric Guitars
- Charly Stechl / Bass, Flute
- Fredrik Rittmüller / Drums
Guest Musician:
- Antonio Ognissanti / Latin Vocals