MorningStar - Morningstar

Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio / A Pomp Rock Classic / 2 Bonus Tracks / 12 page full colour booklet - 4,000 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new Interview. YOU MAY NEVER have heard of MorningStar, but that's no reason not to make a space in your life for them now. You see, there was a time during the late 1970s when the American music business was releasing an incredible volume of classy rock bands; a seemingly never-ending succession of groups that drank from the same golden goblet as Boston, Styx and Journey. And that style wasn't the only touchstone, as British progressive rock also played a major part in many a US band's sound. MorningStar were no exception to that rule. Formed in Kansas during the early 70s, the band became a formidable live draw and soon attracted the attention of Columbia records who happily signed them. Recorded in Nashville, their debut album is a fitting period piece, illiciting comparisons to similar sounding mid-west champions such as Roadmaster, Trillion and Starcastle; all groups with a penchant for melody who displayed respect for classy arrangements and impressive musicianship. MorningStar also imbibed heavily from the progressive rock world occupied by the likes of Yes, ELP and Procol Harum. Issued in 1978, the album made little commercial headway but they became regarded as a band to watch. With their hard driving edge and progressive flourishes several tracks standout, such as the pounding 'Turn Out All The Lights', the epic six minute 'Through The Night', which is a veritable stylistic cornucopia of heavy but melodious rock and 'Sad Lady', a classy pomp rock prima donna blessed with layers of soaring vocals and impressive keyboards; all qualities that continue to impress.