Scented Gardens of Mind: Aunt Mary came from the small town of Fredrikstad in Østfold, but were one of the best Norwegian bands of the early seventies. Their first album was recorded and released in Denmark, as they lived there at the time. Aunt Mary lacked distinction at this early stage with various imitations of Jethro Tull, Traffic and Led Zeppelin among the short tracks. In late 1971, they recorded a dreadful ballad with gospel overtones named "Jimi, Janis & Brian" (included on Best Of). Luckily Groth left soon after and took the gospel with him. Loaded (1972) saw the arrival of Bengt Jenssen, who brought in some classically-inclined organ style to counterbalance the progressive blues of the others. The songwriting was much better, as evident on the tough "Joinin' The Crowd" and "G Flat Road", but many people forget Aunt Mary's softer side (influenced by the 1968 version of The Beatles ) on "Delight" and "Farewell My Friend". "Blowin' Tiffany" represented Aunt Mary at their most progressive, hinting at things to come. This track also revealed a hitherto hidden Emerson, Lake & Palmer and King Crimson influence (spot the tightly echoed, manipulated vocals and compare it to "Indoor Games" from Lizard). Janus (1973) was no doubt their most accomplished album with some tracks forming mini-suites and more extended instrumental segments. The Beatle-esque folkish songs merged in with impressive electric guitar and organ creating different textures to each track. This heavy progressive plus folk formula has similarities to the Danish groups Culpeper's Orchard and Old Man & The Sea, giving the impression that Aunt Mary adopted the Danish vibes of the Summer of '71! Unfortunately they disbanded at the end of 1973 for the usual reasons (an indifferent public and lack of both money and motivation). Their 1980 Live Reunion was a very good one with no Clapton imitations. Indeed it was their most powerful work, recorded as a trio.
01. "Whispering Farewell" 4:01
02. "Did You Notice?" 3:17
03. "There's Lot Of Fish In The Sea" 3:51
04. "I Do And I Did" 4:51
05. "47 Steps" 4:38
06. "Rome Wasn't Built In One Day" 2:59
07. "Come In" 3:28
08. "Why Don't You Try Yourself?" 2:28
09. "The Ball" 3:33
10. "All My Sympathy For Lily" 3:21
11. "Yes, By Now I've Reached The End" 2:50
Bjoern Christiansen / guitar, vocal
Per Ivar Fure / flute, harmonica, saxophone, mouth-organ and vocal
Jan Leonard Groth / keyboards, guitar and vocals
Svein Gundersen / bass, piano and vocal
Kjetil Stensvik / drums, vocal
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