Esperanto - Danse Macabre

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From the back of the cover:
"Danse Macabre" is a natural evolution from the first album "Esperanto Rock Orchestra".
The dramatic theme running though this second album reflects all aspects of Esperanto and shows a willingness to look for a definitive approach to contemporary music.
Much of this direction has come from Peter Sinfield, who has produced this album following work with King Crimson, ELP and PFM and his influence can be clearly heard throughout.
"Danse Macabre" does not require listening to and should not be played on speakers less than 8" in diameter, in airport lounges, elevators and at dinner parties or immediately after sexual congress.

Track List

				mp3 extract	lyrics	music & lyrics
		Side 1
	1	The Journey	10:13		-	Bruno Libert - Raymond Vincent
	2	The Castle	3:31			Raymond Vincent - Glenn Shorrock - Bruno Libert
	3	The Duel	7:03		-	Raymond Vincent - G. & T. Malisan
		Side 2
	4	The Cloister	5:28			Raymond Vincent - Bruno Libert - Glenn Shorrock
	5	The Decision	5:57			Brian Holloway
	6	The Prisoner	7:20			Raymond Vincent - Glenn Shorrock
	7	Danse Macabre	1:58		-	Camille Saint-Saëns - Arrangements Raymond Vincent & Tony Malisan)

Bonus tracks on Si-Wan CD:
	8	The Duel	7:00		-	Raymond Vincent - G. & T. Malisan
	9	The Decision	7:19			Brian Holloway
	10	The Cloister	5:11			Raymond Vincent - Bruno Libert - Glenn Shorrock

Release Information

	A&M Records, UK, LP, AMLS 63624 (1974)

	A&M Records, USA, LP, SP-3624 (SP-3647 - SP-3648) (1974) A promotional copy has also been released (same catalog number)

	A&M Records, Canada, LP, SP 3624 (1974)

	A&M Records, Germany, LP, 87746IT (1974), the song Danse Macabre is not present on this release as the Saint-Saëns copyright-owners refused to agree to its publication in this country!

	A&M Records, Mexico, LP, AMLS 48,056 (1974), all track's titles are also translated in spanish: El Viaje, El Castillo, El Duelo, El Monasterio, La Decision, El Prisionero, Danza Macabra

	A&M Records distributed by King Records, Japan, LP, AML 213 (SALBT-817 - SALBT-818) (1974), lyrics on a separate sheet inside A promotional copy has also been released (same catalog number)

	A&M Records, Italy, LP, SLAM 63624 (1974), the song Danse Macabre is not present on this release as the Saint-Saëns copyright-owners refused to agree to its publication in this country!

	Danse Macabre/The Castle, A&M Records, UK, 7", AMS 7104 (February 29th 1974)

	Danse Macabre/The Castle, A&M Records, Japan, 7", AM-220 (SAST 476 - SAST 477) (1974) A promotional copy has also been released (same catalog number)

	Pony Canyon Inc, Japan, CD, PCCY-10177 (1991)

	Si-Wan Records, Korea, CD, SRMC 5013 (December 2001), gatefold paper sleeve, booklet with lyrics, photos and the story of Esperanto (English, French and Korean version) written by Gilles Arend from Prog-résiste and 3 bonus tracks (other version sang by Glenn Shorrock): "The Duel", "The Decision" and "The Cloister" extracted from an unreleased acetate produced just before Danse Macabre

	Universal Music, Japan, CD, UICY-9264 (May 2003), Rock Legend series, miniature LP paper sleeve, 24 bit remaster, no bonus track. A promotional copy has also been released (same catalog number).

	Second Harvest, USA, Second Harvest 453 (2008), Two Originals: Danse Macabre and Last Tango on one CD

Musicians

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		Keith Christmas English lead voal

		Tony Harris English viola

		Timothy Kraemer English cello

		Bruno Libert Belgian piano, organ, arp odissey, vibes, harpsichord, arranger, backing vocals

		Gino Malisan Italian bass

		Tony Malisan Italian drums

		Godfrey Salmon English 2nd violin, tenor voice

		Raymond Vincent Belgian 1st violin and chief arranger


"Non Fringe Members" :		Glenn Shorrock English / Australian lyricist, backing vocals, ideas

		Brian Holloway English / Australian featured guitarist on "The Decision", "The Duel" and "The Cloister"

		Brigette Du Doit Hawaiian vocal on "The Duel"

Other information

Produced by Peter Sinfield (a picture of Peter is present on the bottom left of the backsleeve picture of Danse Macabre, left to Raymond Vincent).
"I was so tired at the end of the project that I turned down a chance to produce the first Supertramp album. All those eights!" --Peter Sinfield

Danse Macabre has been written in 1875 by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921). It is a setting of a poem by Henri Cazalis which told of Death playing his fiddle in a wintry churchyard at midnight while skeletons dance to his ghostly tune.
Saint-Saëns is a French man, that's why the title is Danse and not Dance.

Engineers: Mike Cooper and Andy Hendrikkson
Recorded at Command Studios, London

Art Direction: Michael Doud
Design: Junnie Osaki
Front Cover Photography: Laurence Sakman
Back Cover Photography: Peter Waldman

UK Tour 1974, members
Cathy Shostak : "I've just been thinking about my short(!) time in Esperanto for this UK tour..(with Magma). I played keyboards and sang back-up. I remember Bruno being very patient with me as I was not as good as he was. I also remember being in that bus with 26 guys and me and Giorgio Gomelsky and all of Magma eating rice and onions (that's all! they ate they said for pure energy) for every meal. I can't remember all the gigs but we definitely did the Roundhouse. As I said it was short but sweet....

Comments written on the single Danse Macabre / The Castle:
Esperanto, who are currently appearing on British dates with French band Magma, have selected an adaptation of Saint-Saens' famous "Danse Macabre" as their new A & M single. The track - a sprightly jazz-rock version of the original classical piece - was arranged for international rock orchestra Esperanto by leader/violinist Raymond Vincent, and produced by Peter Sinfield.