Almost by rule, every time I listen a band with Jazz leanings and so influenced by King Crimson, I send them to Art Rock, but in the case of RAINBOW THEATRE I will make an exception, because the King Crimson influence is basically oriented towards "In the Court of the Crimson King" which is the clearly Symphonic and the Jazz elements seem almost as a superficial addition more than a structural attribute of their music. This excellent Aussie band was formed in 1973 by their natural leader, frontman and guitar player Julian Browning (Later played Mellotron and Keyboards) with Ferg McKinnon {bass} and Graeme Carter in the drums, soon after Marty Rose {vocals} and Steve Nash {sax, clarinet, congas} joined, being followed by Frank Graham {Trumpet} and Don Santin {trombone} plus Keith Hoban as new vocalist, what started as a three man Rock band went out of their hands and ended being an absolutely complex Symphonic project of eight members and if you add the fact that for the recording of their debut album "The Armada" in 1975 they hired The Victorian Opera Company Choir, this was probably the most ambitious Australian band ever. The next year they released the even more ambitious "Fantasy of Horses" with the addition of Keith Hoban in the organ (He was only vocalist in the debut), Ian Relf (trombone), Tricia Shevenan (flute), Chris Stock (oboe), - Karin McGechie, Stephen Daunt and Nya Murray in the violins, Rowan Thomas (alto) and Sara Glenie in the violoncello, it was almost an orchestra and the album has a really high musical quality. After this second release they decided to take a short sabbatical but for unknown reasons they never joined again, in the meanwhile Julian Browning got interested in Classical music and decided o write a Symphony, so he studied Composition and Conduction in Latrobe University fulfilling his dream and composing eight Symphonies. The good news for RAINBOW THEATER fans is that "Fantasy of Horses" has been re-edited in 2006 with a Symphonic addition by Julian and according to recent info "The Armada" is going to be released tomorrow (Nov 8, 2006) again, so if you don't have them, go get the both, it's worth. -- www.progarchives.com
