This fore runner to the stage musical opens with a very busy bass line, almost tuneful, and with the electric guitar entering adding that little bit more depth it creates a very happy tune that lifts your spirits. The vocals by Ken Erickson would not be out of place on a Fairport Convention album, they have a folky twang about them. This track is an excellent opener to this concept and eventually leads into "Astralography". The strong baritone vocals continue on this track and at times the music reminds me of Harry Chapin's "What Made America Famous" (only not so emotionally charged). There's another guy who was driven by trying to produce and write this type of stage production and who was working on one (The Last Protest Singer) at the time of his death. But back to the music in hand. These two opening tracks are quite infectious and really are fascinating to hear, a welcome change. This could turn out to be quite a listening experience.
Track 3, "Heavens Cafe' ", finds Miche' taking over on vocals which are very dramatic, akin to Tracy Hitchings only more quirky and with the occasional male vocals entering the theatrical side of things take over, very impressive. "Never Alone" continues the excellence with a quiet opening then the melodic guitar takes over with superb vocals by Julie Meadows. On track 5, "Classical Man", we find the theatrical side more evident on the vocal delivery. There is some pretty special electric guitar work here which is eventually taken over by acoustic guitar and violin for the outro. "Labyrinth", as the title should suggest, has a darker sound, slightly progressive with some good bass being laid down over eerie background noises. The electric guitar eventually breaks through as we enter the sinister side of the concept. This leads into "Tower Of Information"  with its gentle guitar, male vocals and female harmonies, this is superb emotional stuff. Very theatrical at times.
"Again" is slightly more upbeat in an optimistic sort of way and sounds a bit like something Bob Geldof might compose. This is far too short as it leads into "Flowing Home" which is very thought provoking with its  gentle guitar. Track 9, "The Dark", is a mood creating masterly piece of music, progressive in its structure, superb guitar work here. Finally we have "Robins Lullaby" which is a gentle keyboard instrumental as the concept draws to an end with the rebirth of the character Lark.
Well, this is quite an unusual and at times an exceptional concept, yes a rock opera but it occasionally touches the outer fringes of folk rock. The music is mainly electric/acoustic guitar, bass and drums which occasionally sounds a bit thin, but as it stands this is an album that I would keep coming back too. The vocals are faultless and fit the overall concept. I found this whole album a relaxing experience which grew with subsequent playings.

HEAVENS CAFE' LIVE