Narnia (UK)

Aslan Is Not A Tame Lion Myrrh 1974
Here's further proof that the best albums put out by Myrrh were the ones that didn't even make it over to the States. This is one fine hunk of British rock with a female lead and progressive flourishes, not unlike the band Curved Air. Notable also in that the band features two players that would later go on to form After The Fire: John Russell and Peter Banks (and they got some shaggy do's here!). The main influence, however, is Pauline Filby, lead vocalist and composer of all the material (excluding the opening tune, Tom Paxton's 'You Better Believe It'). 'Agape' and 'Living Water' both explore progressive rock with mood and time changes and faint shadows of the future ATF subtly creeping in. Some fine moody passages, too, courtesy of Banks' organ and mellotron juxtaposed with acoustic guitar, creating an atmospheric quality some have termed "folk/psych". Hard rock moments, too, even a "boogie" number. Lyrically avoids cliches and in the tradition of progressive rock opts for the more metaphorical. Obviously us Americans were deemed not to be ready for such a work back in 1974. Big-time collectors have discovered it, so now it's rare and costly (as is Pauline's earlier solo folk lp 'Show Me A Rainbow'). Beautiful cover of the lion Aslan. KS