Nessie - The Tree (1978)

Belgium has a tradition of bringing some highly talented groups always meddling with RIO, Avant-prog, experimental Canterbury and the general scene is responsible for Chamber prog! But there was also another tradition, this one about more symphonic groups such as Machiavel, Isopoda, Dragon, Flyte, Phylter, Banzaï and later on Now. One of those bands is Nessie (from the Liège region) thar released two albums in the late 70's. To say the least most of these groups in the second category never achieved much success bith artistically and commercially (Machiavel being the notable exception that confirms the rule). Lack of financial means was a major success for sure, but clearly most of those groups while developping a pleasant symphonic rock clearly based on Genesis and other masters, they were all a bit amateurish and a bit too naïve.
The Tree is Nessie's first album and IMHO, their slightly better album. Their sound is based on Genesis, BJH and to a lesser extent Yes, but contrary to other Belgian groups of the times, they also have a slight Gentle Giant twist appearing here and there, which sets them apart from more "conventional" bands like Isopoda and Dragon. Lyrics are sung in English and are apt enough not to shock anyone and there is a lovely flute here and there. The artwork sleeve is a beautyful but naïve Tree scene, but overall the album is very short: one side not even clocking in at 15 minutes and on the other side a track is anounced both on the label and on the sleeve but conspicuously absent on the vinyl. I personally like better Nessie even though they were amateurs - both their albums were private releases - than their more professional countrymen of that era.~by Sean Trane