OOP Vinyl Curiosities: Intergalactic Touring Band (1977) - Sci-Fi Concept album featuring progressive and classic rock guest artists

OOP Vinyl Curiosities:

Intergalactic Touring Band (1977)
Science Fiction Concept Album (Passport Records)
Featuring guest performances from dozens of notable progressive rock and classic rock artists,
including Annie Haslam, Larry Fast, Anthony Phillips, Percy Jones, Dave Cousins, Rod Argent, Ben E. King, Meatloaf, Clarence Clemons, and many more.
Mp3 @256 kbps

Ok, today I have a real vinyl curiosity, the Intergalactic Touring Band from 1977, which was a science fiction concept album featuring dozens of well-known guest artists from progressive and classic rock. The album purports to be a concert from the future by the illustrious Intergalactic Touring Band, an immensely popular band that spreads musical goodwill throughout intergalactic space, and the songs present a sort of history of civilisation and their journey to colonize the stars and interact with robots and alien species. The project was put together by Danny Beckerman and Will Malone, who are known mainly for making orchestral arrangements for other artists (Prior to this, their primary connection to progressive rock was their orchestral arrangement work on Rick Wakeman's concept albums Journey to the Center of the Earth (1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur (1975), and perhaps got the idea to put together their own epic concept album from those experiences). Beckerman and Malone wrote all the songs, did most of the arrangements, and managed to put together a stellar lineup of talent to participate, including progressive rock notables synthesizer wizard Larry Fast (Synergy), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Percy Jones (Brand X), Dave Cousins (The Strawbs), Anthony Phillips (Genesis), and Jim and Brian Cuomo (Fireballet), as well as as classic rock stalwarts Ben E. King, Rod Argent, Meatloaf, Arthur Brown, and Clarence Clemons, and jazz great John Tropea, the London Symphony Orchestra, and many others. The album came complete with a glossy booklet that told the story and contained all the lyrics, etc. So, it seemed to be a rather impressive project.

Unfortunately, the resulting music on the album is much less impressive. It is certainly an interesting side excursion, worthy of a listen or two just to check it out, but despite its progressive rock guest artists, the songs on the album are much more of a somewhat cheesy, theatrical pop-rock, complete with supposedly futuristic robotic sounds and instruments (synthesized voices, effects, etc.), with just the barest hint of prog thrown in. The songs are just not very memorable and most of the guest artists are not given much to do or are relegated to sub-standard pop songs.The main problem is probably that Beckerman and Malone wrote all of the songs instead of having the guest artists contribute their own material, and for the most part, the songs just don't work very well. There is some humor thrown in, and yes, it is a bit amusing to listen to, but mostly for fun, or as a campy experience. So, no, this is not a great album or a lost gem at all, but it was a very interesting project, that just didn't quite work out. Not surprisingly, the album disappeared pretty quickly after it was released in 1977. I picked it up not long after in the cut-out bin just based on the musicians that were included. It did have somewhat of a resurrection in 2003, when it was briefly re-issued on CD, and apparently the album does have its fans (as the reviews on Amazon.com as well as a surprisingly positive review on Prog Archives.com and a fan website can attest to). But, it is currently not available for sale in any form (except as used vinyl or CD), so it should be OK to post here. Anyway, here is the full album, from a needledrop rip from the original vinyl album, as well as the full story and lyric booklet for perusal. So, get ready to blast-off to the 1970's vision of the future with the Intergalactic Touring Band.
     
Tracklist:
 1. Approach (Overture)
 2. Silver Lady
 3. Universal Zoo/Why
 4. Starship Jingle
 5. Heartbreaker
 6. Reaching Out
 7. First Landing
 8. Space Commando
 9. Robot Salesman
 10. Love Station
 11. A Planet Called Monday/Epilogue
 12. Keeper Keep Us

The Intergalactic Touring Band - Fictional band members (Actual band members)
    Hope Larson (Brian Cuomo)— Lase Keyboard Panel
    Ixol Phaane (Larry Fast)— Computerized Keyboard Synthesis
    Justice Conrad (Peter Sobel)— Globe Lase Base
    Krys (Pete Marchetti)— Holographic Percussion
    Raif Reed (David Scance)— Lase Guitar

Partial Credits (notable performers);
Brian Cuomo (Fireballet): IGTB Band - Keyboards
Larry Fast (Synergy, Nektar, etc.): IGTB Band - Synthesizers
David Scance: IGTB Band - Guitars
Peter Sobel: IGTB Band - Bass
Paul Marchetti: IGTB Band - Drums and percussion
Guests:
Rod Argent (The Zombies, Argent): Lead vocal on "Silver Lady"
Arthur Brown (Crazy World of): Lead vocal, "Universal Zoo"
Ryche Chlanda (Fireballet, Nektar): Electric guitar on "Robot Salesman"
Clarence Clemons (E Sreet Band): Saxophone solo on "Love Station"
Dave Cousins (The Strawbs): Lead vocal on "Heartbreaker"
Jim Cuomo (Fireballet): Lead vocal on "Robot Salesman"
Annie Haslam (Renaissance): Lead vocal on "Reaching Out"
Percy Jones (Brand X): Fretless Bass on "Why" and "Keeper Keep Us"
Ben E. King: Lead vocal on "Love Station"
Meatloaf: Lead vocal on "Keeper Keep Us"
Peppi Marchello (Good Rats): Lead vocal on "Starship Jingle"
Anthony Phillips (Genesis): Acoustic guitars on "Reaching Out"
Marge Raymond (Flame): Silver Lady vocal on "Silver Lady"
Rick Parfett and Frank Rossi (Status Quo): Lead vocals on "A Planet Called Monday"
John Tropea: Electric guitars on "Love Station"; Guitar solo on "Love Station"
Members of the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Harry Rabinowitz
Danny Beckerman, Will Malone, David Bedford, and Stephen Galfas: Orchestral arrangements

New Link (updated 05/23/23)
Intergalactic Touring Band (1977).rar