SPANISH GALLEON

In my personal taste, it is the most beautiful opening track of an album I have ever heard. Lucifer's Friend is a German band from the '70s that I love dearly; some of the members are conservatory-trained music masters from the James Last orchestra. Twelve glorious minutes of a very articulated sound with rich arrangements and various highly technical solos.

I recommend a repeated listening and perhaps focusing on one instrument at a time with each listen, given the complexity of the arrangements—one time for the horns, one for the bass, one for the drums, one for the rhythm guitars, one for the lead guitar, one for the keyboards, and one for the vocals. Only at that point will you realize the complexity of the arrangements and the technical prowess of the band. Naturally, Dieter Horns on bass is simply astounding!!!!!! The album is Banquet.

P.S. Some say the track is inspired by a piece by Eumir Deodato, "Super Strut."

Lucifer's Friend * Spanish Galleon (1974)