Earth & Fire - Cadzand 1988 FM (Progressive Rock) (Bootleg)

Size: 114 MB
Bitrate: 320
mp3
Found in OuterSpace
Artwork Included

Earth and Fire were a pop group formed in the Netherlands by brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts. Most popular in the 1970s, Earth and Fire came to produce many chart topping hits in the Dutch pop scene. Though they experienced success in the Netherlands, their music never quite made it to England or the Americas. Their biggest international hit was "Weekend", number one in Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Portugal.

This top notch Dutch band from The Hague had their pinnacle during the early Seventies when they delivered some outstanding 24 carat symphonic rock albums. EARTH & FIRE was founded by the twin brothers Chris (guitar) and Gerard (keyboards) Koerts in '68. Soon bass player Hans Ziech, drummer Kees Kalis and singer Lisette joined them. Unfortunately Lisette had to give up singing because of a serious eye-disease and Kees Kalis left. They were replaced by Ton v/d Kley and the beautiful, very sexy Jerney Kaagman. She was a discovery by GOLDEN EARRING singer Barry Hay, they knew each other from the blossoming rock scene in The Hague. 

When EARTH & FIRE had a hugh success with three Sixties poprock oriented singles "Seasons", "Ruby is the one" and "Wild and exciting" (in '70 all reached the Dutch Top 5), the band decided to become professionals. Gerard Koerts bought a Mellotron, this instrument changed the Dutch progrock history because EARTH & FIRE used it for a more lush symphonic keyboard sound. Eventually they developed a very unique progrock style (a bit similar to the French progrock band SANDROSE and UK band JULIAN'S TREATMENT featuring lots of organ, Mellotron, strong and sensitive electric guitar and distinctive vocals from Jerney Kaagman. And EARTH & FIRE remained successful with their single releases, the Mellotron drenched "Storm and Thunder" ('72, #6), "Memories" ('72, #1), "Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight" ('73, #3) and "Love of Life" ('74, #2) all reached the Dutch Top 10. Also the albums in that era sold very well and gained worldwide recognition: "Songs of the Marching Children" ('71, reaching #12), "Atlantis" ('73, reaching #6) and "To the World of the Future" ('75, reaching #7) are considered as 'progrock classics', especially in Japan EARTH & FIRE is even more popular than FOCUS! Gradually their sound turned into more poppy, culminating into the success of the very commercial song Weekend, reaching #1 and remaining 13 weeks in the charts! Also the following albums "Gate to Infinity" ('77), Reality Fills Fantasy" ('79, reaching #2)), "Andromeda Girl" ('81, reaching #12)) and "In a State of Flux" "82) lost most of the symhonic ingredients.

The albums "Song of the Marching Children" and "Atlantis" belong to the best of the Dutch progrock history. The epic title tracks from both albums (between 16 and 19 minutes) are recommended: the sound is very warm and melodic with lots of changing atmospheres, accelerations and surprising breaks. The one moment you hear a mellow organ, twanging acoustic guitars and a fairy-like voice from Jerney, the other moment there are bombastic eruptions with majestic Mellotron, heavy floods of organ and some fiery electric guitar work, topped by the powerful voice of Jerney. By the way, she has been married for almost 30 years with Bert Ruiter, former bass player from FOCUS...!

This Dutch band featured female vocalist Jerney Kaagman, twin brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts (Chris handled the guitars and Gerard handled the keyboards), bassist Hans Ziech, and drummer Ton v.d. Kleij. Earth & Fire had quite a few hits, like "Seasons" (1969), "Ruby is the One" (1970), "Wild & Exciting" (1970), "Invitation" (1971, released only as a single at that time), "Memories" (1972), and many more. In fact, Song of the Marching Children had a Dutch hit aswell, "Storm & Thunder" (but was edited for single release). When this album came out, the band started to include the Mellotron and synthesizers to their keyboard setup (as well as the Hammond organ, which they used from the beginning), as well as including a side length epic. 
Earth & Fire were able to make some great albums in the process. The early Atlantis (1973) and Song of the Marching Children(1971), are recommended. To the World of the Future (1975) finds the band exploring more synthesizers, and Disco tendencies were starting to surface. Other albums are Gate to Infinity (1977), Reality Fills Fantasy(1979), Andromeda Girl(1981), In State of Flux(1982), and their 1989 reunion album Phoenix.

In the village Voorschoten bassplayer Hans Ziech, drummer Kees Kalis, guitarist Chris Koerts and his brother Gerard Koerts (guitar and keyboards) formed a band Opus Gainfull in 1967. Later they were joined by female singer Manuela Berloth. In 1968 they changed the name to Earth & Fire. In 1969 Berloth left the band and was replaced by another female singer, Jerney Kaagman. In the same year they went on a tour with the Golden Earring. The guitarist of the Golden Earring, George Kooymans, wrote the song Seasons for Earth & Fire. It was recorded and become their first single. And their first hit.

In 1970 a second single was released, Ruby is the One, this time written by the Koerts brother. It became another hit, and the band started recording their first album with the help of producer Fred Haayen, who was also the producer of the Golden Earring. In the mean time Kees Kalis (he died in 2006) was replaced by Ton van de Kleij. Two more singles were released, that became hits as well.

A year later a second album was released, Song Of The Marching Children. It was a concept album with a side long epic song. It is about birth, life and death. The same time the band saw King Crimson and the Moody Blues and learnt about the mellotron. Especially Gerard Koerts liked the instrument and purchased one himself. This changed the sound of Earth & Fire, and can be first heard on the single Memories released in 1971.

Their next album, Atlantis, was again a concept album. This time about the rise and fall of a lost civilization. As with their previous albums, this one sold very well.

In 1974 Hans Ziech left the band, and his follow up was Theo Hurts. Ziech, however, remained writing lyrics for the band. Hurts can be heard on the album To The World Of The Future, released in 1975. A few more singles were released, none of them became hits.

Their fifth album, Gate To Infinity, was recorded with yet another bass player. This time it was former Focus member Bert Ruiter, who had replaced Theo Hurts. At the time Bert Ruiter was the boyfriend of singer Jerney Kaagman and later became her husband. There was also a new drummer, Ab Tamboer. It became clear that their fourth album was the last in the series of interesting progressive albums by this band. When their next single, Weekend, was released there was no further argument. It was a reggae tune ! Despite this, the album Reality Fills Fantasy, became the bands best selling album in the Netherlands.

On the bands next release, Andromeda Girl, co-founder Chris Koerts had left the band and was replaced by Ron Meyjes (ex-Brainbox). This album was, just as the previous, produced by Gerrit Jan Leenders. He was also the producer of Kayak. The link between these two bands became even more stronger when the also shared the same manager. This connection also led to the inclusion of  Kayak member Ton Scherpenzeel to the musicians list of their next album, In A State Of Flux. By this time the remaining Koerts brother, Gerard, had also left the band. Jerney Kaagman released two solo albums in the mid eighties and the Koerts brothers made two albums as the Earth and Fire Orchestra.

After the album had been released, Earth & Fire sort of ended. But because of a renewed interest in old bands, Earth & Fire did some reunion concerts with only Jerney Kaagman as an old time member. In 1989 there was even a new record released, Phoenix. But because it didn't sell much, this was the definitive end of Earth & Fire.

Artist:  Earth & Fire
Title:  Live in Cadzand 1988
Date:     30 june 1988
Type:     FM
Location: Cadzand, Netherlands

FM Broadcast
Recorded by TROS Radio
Live in Cadzand, 1988, june 30
Rebroadcast by Radio 2, Zomerfestival, 12 juli 2006

THE BAND
* Jerney Kaagman - leadvocals
* Jons Pistoor - keyboards
* Ton Scherpenzeel - keyboards
* Age Kat - guitar
* Bert Ruiter - bass
* Ab Tamboer - drums

01. Don't Say
02. Fire of Love
03. Storm and Thunder
04. Is This Love
05. Band introduction
06. Wild and Exiting
07. Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight
08. Weekend
09. Love of Life
10. Memories
11. Ruthless Queen
12. DJ Outro

1. Link
or
2. Link
.

Tour Bus