[prog-rock] (2025) Clouds - Once Upon A Time... The Collection [FLAC] [DarkAngie]

    Clouds – Once Upon A Time… The Collection (2025)

Review:
Clouds were a highly influential Scottish prog-rock band formed in Edinburgh in the mid-1960s. Under their original name 1-2-3, the band gained attention in London's underground scene, especially at The Marquee Club in 1967. Their sound was ahead of its time--melding classical, jazz, and rock influences with no lead guitarist, and Billy Ritchie taking centre stage on keyboards. Ritchie's flamboyant, frontman-style organ work would later inspire keyboardists like Keith Emerson. In 1968, under the guidance of Brian Epstein's NEMS agency and Terry Ellis (who would go on to co-found Chrysalis), they changed their name to Clouds. They were the first band signed to Chrysalis Records and were early architects of progressive rock, predating many better-known acts of the genre. Though short-lived, Clouds are now seen as pioneers of the progressive rock movement. Their innovative structure, particularly Ritchie's role as a lead keyboardist, helped pave the way for bands like Yes, ELP, and Genesis. Once Upon A Time - The Collection: includes their three studio albums The Clouds Scrapbook (1969), the band's debut album, which blends psychedelic pop with early progressive rock elements, Watercolour Days (1971), their second album, which showcases a more refined sound, along with the US-only release Up Above Our Heads (1970). The set comes with 23 previously unreleased tracks, pulled from the vaults and a wealth of additional rare material. Featuring singles, B-sides and previously unheard demos, providing a complete picture of the band's brief but influential career. — arewaves.com
   

Track List:

CD1

01. Introduction - Scrapbook (2025 Remaster)
02. The Carpenter (2025 Remaster)
03. The Colours Have Run (2025 Remaster)
04. I'll Go Girl (2025 Remaster)
05. Grandad (2025 Remaster)
06. Ladies And Gentlemen (2025 Remaster)
07. Humdrum (2025 Remaster)
08. Union Jack (2025 Remaster)
09. Old Man (2025 Remaster)
10. Waiter, There's Something In My Soup (2025 Remaster)
11. Scrapbook (2025 Remaster)
12. Make No Bones About It (Single Version)
13. Heritage (B-Side)
14. Sleepless Nights (1969 Demo)
15. Laughin' (1969 Demo)
16. She's A Dish (1969 Demo)
17. Go Now Sheray (1969 Demo)
18. Preacher Man (1969 Demo)
19. Old Folks Home (1969 Demo)
20. Smokey Old Town (1969 Demo)
21. You've Been Bad (1969 Demo)
22. Miscellaneous (1969 Demo)
23. Union Jack (1969 Demo)
24. Ice Cream (1969 Demo)
25. Pawnshop (1969 Demo)
26. No Sign Of Being Better (1969 Demo)
27. The Clothes She Wore (1969 Demo)
28. The Camera Never Lies (1969 Demo)
29. French Franc (1969 Demo)
30. J. Graham, Watchmaker Jeweller (1969 Demo)
31. Danger, Roadworks Straight Ahead (1969 Demo)
32. Thats What Bothers Me (1969 Demo)
CD2

01. Imagine Me (2025 Remaster)
02. Sing, Sing, Sing (2025 Remaster)
03. Take Me To Your Leader (2025 Remaster)
04. Big Noise From Winnetka (2025 Remaster)
05. In The Mine (2025 Remaster)
06. The World Is Madhouse (1970 Demo)
07. Once Upon A Time (1970 Demo)
08. See Me I'm Home (1970 Demo)
09. That Was Yesterday (1970 Demo)
10. The Feeling (1970 Demo)
11. R.I.P (1970 Demo)
CD3

01. Watercolour Days (2025 Remaster)
02. Cold Sweat (2025 Remaster)
03. Lighthouse (2025 Remaster)
04. Long Time (2025 Remaster)
05. Mind Of A Child (2025 Remaster)
06. I Know Better Than You (2025 Remaster)
07. Leavin' (2025 Remaster)
08. Get Off My Farm (2025 Remaster)
09. I Am The Melody (2025 Remaster)
10. Once Upon A Time (2025 Remaster)
11. Mind Of A Child (Single Version)
12. Why Is There No Magic (1971 Studio Outtake)
13. Shadows (1971 Studio Outtake)
14. A Day In The Rain (1971 Studio Outtake)
15. Clockwork Soldier (1971 Studio Outtake)
Media Report:
Genre: prog-rock
Origin: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits
Compression mode: Lossless
Writing library: libFLAC 1.3.0 (UTC 2013-05-26)
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