Normally we don't report on tribute bands. But as usual, exceptions prove the rule. In the past we wrote about the Marillion tribute band Mr. Punch or the concerts that The Watch did that were dedicated to Genesis from the seventies. And now it is time to pay tribute to a well-known Dutch band that especially in the seventies made true progressive rock concept albums. Their die-hard fans know that I am referring to albums such as Song Of The Marching Children (1971 ) and Atlantis (1973). Of course I mean the legendary Earth & Fire. One of the standard bearers of Nedersymfo together with Focus and Kayak. They put progressive rock from the Netherlands on the map in the rest of the world. The band does not exist anymore because they disbanded in 1990. However their music still lives on in the Dutch tribute band Memories Of Earth & Fire. A band that already got big airplay when they performed at the fanclub day of the original band November last year. Of course I wanted to know if those rumours were true that were spread on social media. Therefore the Background Magazine crew went to the cosy Parkvilla Theater in Alphen aan den Rijn to witness one of their concerts.
 

The venue was almost sold out but there were still lots of seats not occupied, more than were expected. This was mainly due to the national train strike on this day. Which meant that some people could not attend because they had to come by public transport. One of the visitors present who did not come by public transport was former Earth & Fire bassist Hans Ziech. This now 82 years old musician played on their first 3 albums. Including the previously mentioned concept albums. After he left the band he still remained writing most of the lyrics for them. Before the show I asked what he found of the way this tribute band covered the music of the band he was

Nina Verharen (►more photos)

himself part of for 6 six years. He told me that he appreciated the way this band interpreted the songs he had mostly worked on. He liked the way they gave them their own twist. According to him, it doesn't always have to sound like the original. He gave a good example and told me that he liked the way female singer Nina Verharen accompanied herself on the acoustic guitar when she sings the final part of Seasons. It was never done by Earth & Fire this way!

As for the songs performed by this tribute band I will not go into details about every song played during the two sets and encores. But I can tell you that indeed they gave to most of the songs their own twist and incorporated two covers and a song of their own. Which was the opening tune of the first set. An instrumental tune on which guitarist Conrad Hultermans could shine on his instrument while keyboard player Martin Fortuin accompanied him perfectly by playing some impressive string synthesizer parts. Also the Alan Parsons cover Sirius was wonderfully done as the opening tune for Fire Of Love. Also for their tribute to the late Bert Ruiter they also did a cover. They chose to do Sylvia which was performed during the encores. The song was once a hit single from the earlier mentioned Focus. A band in which Ruiter played the bass guitar before he joined Earth & Fire.

Overall it could be said that the songs done by this tribute band sounded a little heavy compared to the original songs done by the original band. Most of all the songs taken from Earth & Fire's debut album. Songs such as Wild & Exciting and Ruby Is The One. They are originally also more guitar orientated compared to the songs on the albums that followed. On those follow up albums the keyboards played by Gerard Koerts, and most of all the Mellotron, had an important role on the total sound of the band. But with this tribute band the guitar parts, originally done by Chris Koerts, sounded more like the way a hard rock or metal band plays them. Which is not so strange if you know that guitar player Conrad Hultermans also is the guitarist in a Metallica tribute band. And when his follow up Sebas Honing joined him during Wild & Exciting and Memories the guitars most of all took the lead. Even a third guitar player was on stage. During Love Of Life Gérard Koot played extra guitar parts next to Hultermans, for which it was his last performance with the band. His replacement Sebas Honing will probably make this tribute band sound a bit more like the original Earth & Fire. Because he is known in the progressive rock scene with a couple of solo albums dedicated to this musical genre. Also the sound of the keyboards are a bit different compared to the original studio versions of those tracks. You don't hear a Mellotron anymore, this was an essential part of the sound, and is replaced by a synthesizer which tries to copy that distinguished sound. As for the vocal parts originally done by Jerney Kaagman it is easy to say that this is also a rather difficult part to copy. Because Jerney has a typical voice you will recognise immediately. However I have to admit that Nina Verharen did a good job singing her parts. Sometimes close to the original version as I noticed on Love Of Life.

L to R: Conrad Hultermans, Gerard Koot, Sebas Honing and Martin Fortuin (►more photos)

The albums that Earth & Fire made in the early seventies had the usual E&F format: one side of the record for a long song that can be considered symphonic rock; one side with shorter songs that sound more commercial. Those different type of songs could also be enjoyed during this performance as well. However the long versions of the title tracks of the earlier mentioned concept albums were not done completely. For instance a short version of Atlantis was followed by Maybe Tomorrow Maybe Tonight. The single taken from that album. The same was done with Song Of The Marching Children which was very well followed by Storm & Thunder. The single taken from that album. Those combinations were for me definitely the highlight of the band's performance next to the earlier mentioned Love Of Life.

Earth & Fire also had during their musical career not only songs which could be described as progressive rock. Their record label at the time forced them to write more disco and funk kind of songs to sell even more singles. This way songs such as Thanks For The Love, What Difference Does it Make and Fire Of Love were released. Songs also played by Memories Of Earth & Fire next to the bands biggest hit single. Namely Weekend. A reggae kind of tune which has nothing to do with what Earth & Fire stood for musically. But it made them famous in a large part of Europe.

Strangely enough Memories Of Earth & Fire also chose to do Fun. Probably for a lot of people an unknown piece of music. It was a B-side for one of their singles. Fun was coupled with Only Time Will Tell. Originally it is a strong instrumental piece with fine guitar and Mellotron-parts. Also the jazz-rock influences are present on this track due to the use of an electric piano. I have to admit that a good version was done of this nice tune.

After the two encores Sylvia and Memories were done and the band left the stage, probably thinking that this was the end of their performance. However the crowd insisted on hearing another song because they kept asking for more. The musicians could not resist this call and took to the stage once more. The only problem was that no more songs from Earth & Fire had been rehearsed. That is why singer Nina asked which song the audience wanted to hear again. I suggested Song Of The Marching Children but was overruled by the bass player to play Love Of Life again. This allowed the guest guitarist to play along with the other musicians once more. So this song was chosen. Which turned out to be a good decision. The audience went completely crazy and a big party started on stage with all three guitarists present. Conrad Hultermans, his replacement Sebas Honing and extra guest Gérard Koot. This was the musical ending that everyone could only dream of!

For many people present it was a trip down memory lane thanks to the well performed songs by Memories Of Earth & Fire. People were singing and clapping a long with them for the well know songs of Earth & Fire. They had an unforgettable evening because one more time all of their favourites came to life once again. Thanks to Serious Music Alphen for bringing back all the memories of Earth & Fire!!!

Text by Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)