Poseidon - Found My Way

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Garden Of Delights
Catalog Number: CD 052
Format: CD
Total Time: 77:34:00

Rising up from the sea of German prog rock is Poseidon, another band who managed to release only one album in their short career. The usual case of members wanting to take the band in different directions led to the band members going in different directions. Like Troya, this is a shame, as there was a great deal of potential success to be found here. If there is a "70s rock" sound, then Poseidon had it. Listening to this, it is unmistakeably music of it's time. But, before you start thinking dated, or embarrasingly dated, not really. Just like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Bros., Doobie Bros., etc remain popular today, so, too, could Poseidon. Except that they split before they could catch on. Found My Way is, on one level, like a trip through all the memorable licks of the 70s, and not just guitar licks. The keyboard part that opens "Surprise" is almost like that familiar riff from "Black Magic Woman," (released 1970), there's a later keyboard part that at the height of its shriek sounds so much like the theme music from a 70s police show.

Perhaps the most often "quoted" artist is The Allman Bros. Band, as they came to mind most often, and mostly with the guitar parts (mainly "Ramblin' Man"). Jethro Tull's "Teacher" comes to mind with "How Heavy The Days." Thunderclap Newman with as mellower version of "Something In The Air," lyrics aside, is what comes to mind with "Swimming Against The Stream." All this is in addition to the live bonus covers that are included on this Garden Of Delights reissue, covers that include "Crossroads" and "White Room." The production on the initial studio tracks have a very intimate feel, with vocals mixed very much in front. Vocalist/bassist/guitarist Horst Meinzer has a husky voice, a tone that is quite common in this particular segment of the genre, plus also a bit like Paul McCartney during his Wings days. The live tracks are good, though their rendition of "White Room" is, to me, the weakest of the 8.

The longest piece here is the 8-plus minute "Swimming Against The Stream" which begins with a high pitched keening that sounds like sad seagulls and the sound of crashing waves. Sparse guitar strumming and swirling sonic effects are complemented first by Meinzer's vocals, then by he, guitarist/bassist Theo Metzler and guitarist Wilfried Sahm. This atmospheric intro gives way to a chiming guitar, bass, and sparse percussion. Like some of the best classic rock of the Allman Bros. variety, there are extended guitar solos here that keep the track truckin' forward without taking over entirely. The track ends where it began.

As I said, "How Heavy The Days," has a strong feel of Jethro Tull. One must add in a few other elements and directions as well, like some country rock-like guitar, some Yes-like vocal harmonies (well, just an "Ah" here and there), Tony Mahl's organ (Hammond) and trying to pin down the track to anyone thing is hard. Though it all flows together well. Mention Hammond and surely at some point Keith Emerson comes to mind. Mahl was influenced by Emerson (and Brain Auger, who the band supported at gigs in France and Belgium, and Jimmy Smith as well). It isn't until "America" that I really hear the Emerson influence, here by way of The Nice.

It's America, Bread, and Joe Cocker that come to mind with "Cold Farmer" -- one part "It Don't Matter To Me" one part "With A Little Help From My Friends" (which is, I know, a Beatles tune, but Cocker certainly put his own stamp on the track). The soft rock of the bass and light guitar tones give us the former, though, interestingly, Yes also come to mind. Heavier, rockier guitar bursts give us to the second part.

Now, to be honest, Poseidon take all these bits and then do something different with them, and my litany of "sounds like"s doesn't suggest any true influence, other than Emerson. It all very well played, which why this band had a great deal of potential. There's no qualifier to that either; no "if the could move beyond..." If any of the references are true (that is, their intent and not just how I hear it), then it is more homage than copping. The live tracks suggest that this band could have made it on the blues influenced circuit as well. The band could have been signed to Metronome records in 1976, as Hartwig Biereichel was interested, but they split before anything came to fruition.

Tracklisting:
The Trip (5:02) / Swimming Against The Stream (8:35) / How Heavy The Days (5:06) / Cold Farmer (7:04) / Surprise (4:42) / Found My Way (7:41) / Bonus Tracks: Run You Off The Hill (6:11) / America (6:25) / Sitting On Top Of The World (4:08) / Spoonful (1:04) / Crossroads (4:19) / John Barleycorn Must Die (4:37) / White Room (5:17) / I'm Goin' Home (6:47)

Musicians:
Tony Mahl - organ, e-piano, synthesizer
Horst Meinzer - vocals, bass, 6 and 12 string guitar
Wilfried Sahm - guitars, vocals
Theo Metzler - guitar, bass, percussion and vocals
Rudi Metzler - drums and percussion

Discography:
Found My Way (1975/2001)

Genre: Rock

Origin DE

Added: May 18th 2002
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 1897
Language: english