Jon Symon was a British composer and musician who relocated to Germany and helped propel the progressive rock concept album into the 1980s with the releases of Memories of a White Magician (twice!) and Lady Macbeth.
The first version of Memories of a White Magician -- a title I daresay wouldn’t fly far in 2023 -- was released in 1981 as a seven-song story and featured Symon on vocals and all instruments (a throwback to his one-man band Rasputin). The second version included a four-man band plus Symon on vocals only. The first version sounds as if it were birthed in the late 1960s or early 1970s, and some reviewers have compared the album to the work of Nektar and Grobbschnitt. Reverb-filled spoken-word passages set against psychedelic backdrops dominate along with some simple singing in between majestic passages that sometimes recall the Alan Parsons Project. The 1983 version, however, is the better of the two. It includes an alternate track listing interspersed with more songs, and the full-band backing really boosts Symon’s vocal performance and makes the album sound more like a complete work. Small commercial aspirations are detectable, too -- especially on the guitar-heavy “Morgan Le Fay,” which did not appear on the original album.
Two of the musicians who played on Memories of a White Magician -- guitarist Detlef Klamann and bassist and drummer Charly Maucher -- also play on 1984’s Lady Macbeth. This album is definitely a bigger step into the Eighties than its predecessor, with musical references to 90125-era Yes and reflecting an overall more confident and upbeat mindset. Based on William Shakespeare’s 1606 story of the title character, the album tells the tale of the wife of Scottish nobleman Macbeth, who goads her husband into committing regicide so she can ascend to the role of queen of Scotland. This 42-minute record finds Symon’s songwriting and singing improving, but he would not release another album until 1992.
Unfortunately, the packaging for both releases is poor and lacks any historical notes -- which is disappointing, as these are the first-ever CD versions of Memories of a White Magician and Lady Macbeth.
Track Listing:
Memories of a White Magician - Disc One: The 1981 Recordings
1. Warlock
2. Pagan Memory
3. Spirits Of Hell
4. Angel Of Death
5. Four Seasons Of A Soul
6. The Magician
7. Into Eternity
Memories of a White Magician - Disc Two: The 1983 Recordings
1. Warlock
2. Angel Of Death
3. Four Seasons Of The Soul
4. Magician
5. Saucers
6. Karma
7. Morgan Le Fay
8. Pendragon
9. Vision Of The Wizard
10. Neutron Fire
11. Wizard King
Lady Macbeth:
1. Eyes of the Witch
2. Spirits of Hell
3. Forever and a Day
4. Spells
5. Devil’s Daughter
6. Lady Macbeth
7. Lady of the Night
8. Banquet
9. Nightmare
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
