The Old Man & The Sea - The Old Man & The Sea (Reissue, Expanded Edition) (1972/2010)

The Old Man & The Sea are a progressive rock band from Denmark who formed in 1967 (Horsens, Midtjylland, Denmark) by Benny Stanley (guitar), Knud Lindhard (bass) and Tommy Hansen (organ, keyboards). In their first lineup the drums were played by Lars "Beske" Thygesen. The singer was Robert Hauschild. This version of the band was closed down in 1969 - but reformed once again in '71. This new lineup replaced drummer Lars with John Lundvig and former singer Robert Hauschild with Ole Wedel who went on to record their self-titled 'Old Man and the Sea' in 1972.

Though they do have their own sound it can be compared to a rough TULL (Aqualung-style) or ATOMIC ROOSTER, playing tight music, but also leaving some space for instrumental interplay on some tracks. Record collectors into Nordic rock are well aware of this band that recorded one album that is very much sought after (it was also counterfeited at least twice), with its highly rated Hammond-driven hard rock rather typical of that era.

The sole release self-titled album is very rare these days, with only 500 copies made back in 1972 by Sonet Records.

The band took their name from the Old Tale (seems to be quite popular one around the Baltic Sea) and made their album based on that. All of the songs on the album has been awarded an icon image of this tale on the booklet of the CD. The songs are definitely hard rock with a predominant guitar but KB are also quite present. We are also gratified of a few flute interventions. The vocals are in English and quite apt. The 'Monk Song' is the highlight and cut into two section with the first part showing all of the possibilities of the band.

The Old Man and the Sea continued playing gigs through the early 70's and eventually disbanded in Brund, Midtjylland, Denmark in '75. The band got together again and played 2 single shows with different member line-ups in 1990 and finally in 2003.

In 2013 the German Shadoks label produced a high quality vinyl reissue of 'The Old Man and the Sea' which was scheduled for release in late January to early February of that year.