One record at a time: 436. Vangelis - The Dragon

"The Dragon" is an album culled from the same sessions Vangelis recorded in 1971 that resulted in the "Hypothesis" album. However, unlike its counterpart, "The Dragon" actually has something to recommend it. Whilst there are elements of the dreaded jazz music on here, Vangelis tends to borrow more from psychedelic rock this time around.

The title track that occupies the first side of the record is a fifteen minute long jam with a Middle Eastern bent. I can hear session musicians playing drums, guitar and violin, but I have no idea what Vangelis's contribution would have been. Unfortunately this track is so repetitive you could edit it down to a two minute burst without losing anything meaningful. Listening to the last four minutes is akin to torture with the same four bar loop just going around and around and around and around...

"Stuffed Aubergine" or "Stuffed Tomato" are softer sounding tracks that occupy the flip side. It's actually much easier to discern Vangelis's keyboards on these songs and the repetition isn't quite as pronounced. Still, not something I will be returning to anytime soon. I've read Vangelis didn't consume drugs or much alcohol during this period - but it sure as hell doesn't sound like it. 1/5