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Curved Air – Live in the UK 1971 (Limited Edition Hand Numbered on 180g Light Green Vinyl)
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CURVED AIR History
Curved Air were formed in London in 1970 and quickly established themselves as one of the most distinctive bands of the early progressive rock movement. Combining progressive rock, classical music, folk, jazz and psychedelic influences, the band became renowned for their adventurous songwriting, technical musicianship and the powerful vocals of Sonja Kristina. Alongside contemporaries such as Yes, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Curved Air helped define the sound of British progressive rock during the early 1970s.
The original line-up featured Sonja Kristina, Darryl Way, Francis Monkman, Rob Martin and Florian Pilkington-Miksa. Violin and electric keyboards shared a prominent role in Curved Air’s arrangements. Darryl Way’s virtuosic violin playing became one of the band’s defining characteristics and remains instantly recognisable to fans of progressive music.
Air Conditioning, released in 1970, introduced Curved Air’s combination of rock, violin and keyboards. Its early picture-disc edition is part of the album’s release history, while tracks such as It Happened Today, Vivaldi and Situations show the range of the music itself.
The group followed with Second Album, Phantasmagoria, Air Cut and Midnight Wire. Back Street Luv, sung by Sonja Kristina, became a UK Top 10 single in 1971; its compact arrangement differs from some of the band’s longer instrumental passages.
Sonja Kristina’s voice is a central part of Curved Air’s sound. Her phrasing sits alongside the violin and keyboard parts, linking the songs’ rock setting with the group’s classical and folk influences.
Like many progressive rock bands, Curved Air experienced numerous line-up changes throughout the 1970s. Founding members Darryl Way and Francis Monkman both departed during the band’s early years to pursue solo careers and other musical projects, although Sonja Kristina remained the central figure and guiding force behind the group.
Curved Air returned in several later incarnations, with Sonja Kristina continuing to perform the repertoire. Concert recordings therefore document different groups of musicians as well as different stages of the catalogue.
Although Curved Air never achieved the commercial success of some of their contemporaries, their influence on progressive rock has endured. Their willingness to blend rock with classical instrumentation and experimental arrangements helped inspire countless musicians, while their albums continue to be highly regarded within the progressive rock community.
Air Conditioning, Second Album and Phantasmagoria introduce the early band, while Air Cut reflects a changed line-up. When comparing vinyl editions of Air Conditioning, distinguish a picture disc from a conventional pressing rather than assuming the formats are identical. For live albums, the concert date and personnel help identify the arrangements being performed.
The original line-up featured Sonja Kristina, Darryl Way, Francis Monkman, Rob Martin and Florian Pilkington-Miksa. Violin and electric keyboards shared a prominent role in Curved Air’s arrangements. Darryl Way’s virtuosic violin playing became one of the band’s defining characteristics and remains instantly recognisable to fans of progressive music.
Air Conditioning, released in 1970, introduced Curved Air’s combination of rock, violin and keyboards. Its early picture-disc edition is part of the album’s release history, while tracks such as It Happened Today, Vivaldi and Situations show the range of the music itself.
The group followed with Second Album, Phantasmagoria, Air Cut and Midnight Wire. Back Street Luv, sung by Sonja Kristina, became a UK Top 10 single in 1971; its compact arrangement differs from some of the band’s longer instrumental passages.
Sonja Kristina’s voice is a central part of Curved Air’s sound. Her phrasing sits alongside the violin and keyboard parts, linking the songs’ rock setting with the group’s classical and folk influences.
Like many progressive rock bands, Curved Air experienced numerous line-up changes throughout the 1970s. Founding members Darryl Way and Francis Monkman both departed during the band’s early years to pursue solo careers and other musical projects, although Sonja Kristina remained the central figure and guiding force behind the group.
Curved Air returned in several later incarnations, with Sonja Kristina continuing to perform the repertoire. Concert recordings therefore document different groups of musicians as well as different stages of the catalogue.
Although Curved Air never achieved the commercial success of some of their contemporaries, their influence on progressive rock has endured. Their willingness to blend rock with classical instrumentation and experimental arrangements helped inspire countless musicians, while their albums continue to be highly regarded within the progressive rock community.
Air Conditioning, Second Album and Phantasmagoria introduce the early band, while Air Cut reflects a changed line-up. When comparing vinyl editions of Air Conditioning, distinguish a picture disc from a conventional pressing rather than assuming the formats are identical. For live albums, the concert date and personnel help identify the arrangements being performed.
