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THE ENID: Touch Me

Release

Style

The English symphonic rock orchestra The Enid have always stubbornly pursuit their own way. Leader Robert John Godfrey makes sure that the spirit of his brainchild is not to be touched. Meanwhile the output has grown demonstratively. And there is a public for it, considering the band’s real cult following.

The early phase of The Enid (1974-1980) is their most interesting one. Since 2001, Inner Sanctum Records is finally re-releasing these wonderful albums. Recently, they reissued the legendary 1979 recording of “Touch Me”. I could finally break up my search on the internet. This hard-to-find gem comes today with a whole new artwork, according to the wishes of the band. And it’s a fine work of art indeed.

“Touch Me” consists largely of the very classically inspired “Charades” suite. “Humouresque” immediately puts all instruments in fine interaction with each other. This triumphant beginning contrasts beautifully with the respectful “Cortege” and the elegiac, piano leading title track that feature some emotionally moving cor anglais and oboe. The suite closes in the same vein as it began with the overwhelming “Gallavant”, so the charades’ happy character is triumphing once more. Another joyful piece is “Albion Fair”, although in the first part you could swear there’s a UFO landing. Yet in part two the music  corresponds more with the pleasure suggesting title. A grand finale puts here an end to all festivities, by means of organ, brass sounding keys and percussion. A live version of the whole piece is added to this reissue. As another bonus, the sentimental “Joined By The Heart” (in fact an extended version of “Albion Fair” part one) touches the heart in a new age vein since only keyboards are used. It really fits the theme of the whole album, though it is an over-long track that finally cannot be saved from boredom.

Still this is an essential Enid record. Prog will never come as symphonic as this band. A magazine once described their music as a blend of Pink Floyd and the Berlin Philharmonic! Indeed, when you first listen to The Enid, they could fool you that there’s a real orchestra playing.

Musicians

Robert John Godfrey: keyboards
William Gilmour: keyboards
Francis Lickerish: guitars
Stephen Stewart: guitars, percussion
David Storey: drums, percussion
Terry Pack: bass guitar
Guest musician:
Tony Freer: cor anglais, oboe

1. Charades:
i) Humouresque
ii) Cortege
iii) Elegy (Touch Me)
iv) Gallavant
2. Albion Fair part 1
3. Albion Fair part 2
4. Albion Fair (extended version part one) Joined By The Heart (Solo release by Robert Godfrey)
5. Albion Fair (official bootleg live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1979)

Fall Of Hyperion (1974)
In The Region Of The Summer Stars (1976)
Aerie Faerie Nonsense (1977)
Touch Me (1979)
Six Pieces (1980)
The Enid – Live At Hammersmith (Volumes I & II) (1983)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
The Stand (1984)
The Stand (1985)
The Spell (1985)
Fand (1985)
Salome (1986)
Liverpool Live (1986)
Lovers And Fools (1986)
The Seed And The Sower (1988)
Final Noise (1989)
Tripping The Light Fantastic (1994)
Sundialer (1995)
Anarchy On 45 (1996)
Members Of One Another (1996)
Healing Hearts (1996)
The White Goddess (1998)
An Alternative History Volume 1-2-3 (1998)
Tears Of The Sun (1999)

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Last updated: 24 juli 2005 .
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