The story of Ekseption as we know it begins when they won the first prize at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival in 1968, and they were rewarded with a record contract with Philips. At the suggestion of Rick van der LINDEN, the band's keyboard player, they decided to record rock versions of Beethoven's "Fifth" and Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance". Although initially the single with "The Fifth" did not catch on, three months after it was released suddenly it began to sell like hotcakes, and the basis for the now famous Ekseption formula was established: a cocktail of classical music with (symphonic) rock and jazz. Following the success of the single, their first album was recorded, which contained a mix of covers, classical themes in a rock/jazz setting, and one song written by the band.
Rick van der LINDEN emerged as the band's artistic leader, and on their second album ("Beggar Julia's Timetrip") he was responsible for arranging and writing the music. Although Ekseption's first album was entirely instrumental, on the second as well as the third one, "Ekseption 3", a singer was included in the band (on "Julia Beggar's Timetrip" the singer was Michel van DIJK, who later joined the Dutch band ALQUIN, while on "Ekseption 3" Steve ALLET replaced Michel). The role of the singer was very limited on those albums, which featured only a couple of vocal songs, so after their third album the singer left the band, and Ekseption once again became an all instrumental band. The fourth album shows a band that had evolved into a tight symphonic rock ensemble, playing side by side with the ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA in a performance of the centre piece of the album: "Piccadilly Sweet", a suite for orchestra and rock band written by Rick van der LINDEN. The next two albums show a matured band with their own distinct sound and their unique brand of music. However, after the album "Trinity" Rick van der LINDEN was forced to leave the band, and with Rick the musical identity of the band disappeared as well. Rick's successor in EKSEPTION, Hans Jansen, had a different musical background, leaning much more towards fusion music, and the albums made after Rick's departure clearly show the difference between the two keyboard players ("Bingo-bingo", "Mindmirror" and "Back to the Classics"). EKSEPTION did no longer enjoy the success when Rick was still in the band, and after a third last album ("Back to the Classics") EKSEPTION was disbanded. The formula of EKSEPTION was too restrictive for its members, so they adopted a different name, SPIN, added a few new musicians, and they recorded two albums under that name.
After his departure from EKSEPTION in 1973, Rick formed his own band, TRACE, and he recorded three astonishing symphonic rock albums with this band. In 1978 Rick van der LINDEN and Rein van den BROEK, EKSEPTION's trumpet player, came together and they decided to reunite EKSEPTION with the old line-up: Peter de LEEUWE (drums), Cor DEKKER (bass), Dick REMELINK (sax), and of course Rein and Rick. They recorded "EKSEPTION 78" in a time when symphonic rock and prog rock were not in vogue, and "EKSEPTION 78" did not have the commercial success that was hoped for. Hoping to restore some of that success EKSEPTION released an album in 1981 with new recordings of their old hits together with two new tracks, "Dance Macabre". But when this album failed to be a success as well Rick and Rein decided to call it quits. In 1989 a new attempt was made at a comeback with EKSEPTION. They recorded "EKSEPTION'89", a CD with again old material in new arrangements as well as a couple of new tracks. Again it did not work out the way EKSEPTION had hoped, and the scenario of 1981 repeated itself. In 1994 EKSEPTION came together again for some live performances, and a live album was recorded. However, the album contains tepid, uninspired performances of old material, and it seemed that now the final curtain had fallen for EKSEPTION.
In 2001 Rick released a solo album where he fused the church organ with rock music in new arrangements of the music he had performed with TRACE and EKSEPTION. He decided to rejuvenate EKSEPTION with some new blood in the shape of Mark Inneo on drums, Meredith Nelson on bass and Bob Shields on guitar. With this new EKSEPTION and his wife on vocals he toured through Holland and Germany in 2003.
Rick van der Linden passed away on January 22, 2006
Recently the first four albums were released on CD, and I HIGHLY recommend this double CD (it's called "3 Originals", with the fourth album added as a bonus). The album "EKSEPTION 78" has also been released on CD, although with a different title (you can check out these releases by clicking on the album). Other than these CD releases, the other albums still are waiting to be released on CD, although some tracks of these albums appear on compilation albums. Of the compilation albums "Air" and "Selected Ekseption" are the best ones. The CD "Live in Germany" is best avoided, it's a registration of a concert of EKSEPTION in the nineties, but it does not at all reflect the energy of the band used to have on stage. For those of you who cannot wait for an official CD release of the yet unreleased albums of EKSEPTION or who are interested in the two vinyl records made by SPIN, which have not appeared on CD, the Dutch site www.fonos.nl offers people an opportunity to order CD recordings from original albums, which are no longer in print.
In short, I highly recommend EKSEPTION to anyone interested in symphonic rock. Although there are other bands who combined classical music with rock, such as THE NICE and EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER, both in their sound and their music EKSEPTION show themselves to be one of a kind.
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prologue
Ekseption Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the deserted road, the lonesome traveler will meet his death.
The frightened farmers have long moved their families to crowded cities.
Diversion in the only weapon of the young
Between two loves is David: the spell of music and his maiden fair.
And while he plays, the magic tones will guide him into oblivion, where Julia stands aside and moans.
Now in the forest, dwelling place of sorcerers and witches, of outlaws, gangs of bandits and the doomed, Julia, bewildered by her lover's neglect sets her bare feet upon this decaded song to wait in apathy of death to come.
Now the day has nearly gone and while our troubled mind has slowly wandered off to blessed sleep, a ray of solid gold pierces the twilight in the trees and splashes gently on her lovely face.
A thing that she has never seen nor heard about.
Yet, she approaches almost hypnotized, and, as she touches with her hand its silver frame the mere startle of its coolness makes her tremble.
Now she believed his troubled world or she will take off into time and space?
The lyrics of Ekseption's song Prologue paint a vivid picture of a dark and uncertain time. The opening lines describe a scene of poverty and hunger, suggesting that the song takes place during a time of hardship and turmoil. The mention of a lonesome traveler meeting his death on a deserted road adds to the sense of danger and foreboding.
As the song continues, we learn that many of the farmers have left the countryside for the safety of crowded cities. The young are left to fend for themselves, employing diversion as a means of coping with their uncertain future.
The song then introduces us to David, who is torn between two loves: music and his fair maiden, Julia. As he plays, the magic of the music transports him to a state of oblivion where Julia stands aside and moans.
Eventually, Julia ventures into the forest and stumbles upon an unknown object – a "thing that she has never seen nor heard about." As she approaches the object, she feels almost hypnotized by its presence, and wonders if she will leave behind her troubled world or embark on a journey through time and space.
Overall, the lyrics of Prologue paint a picture of a world in turmoil. The characters are struggling to find their place amidst poverty and danger, and are alternately drawn to and frightened by the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Now poverty and hunger roam the dark years before thousands.
During a time of great darkness and despair, poverty and hunger afflict many people.
On the deserted road, the lonesome traveler will meet his death.
In a desolate place, a solitary wanderer will find their end.
The frightened farmers have long moved their families to crowded cities.
Out of fear, farmers have relocated with their families to densely populated urban areas.
Diversion in the only weapon of the young
For the youth, distraction is the only means of defense.
Between two loves is David: the spell of music and his maiden fair.
David is torn between his love for music and his love for a woman.
And while he plays, the magic tones will guide him into oblivion, where Julia stands aside and moans.
David becomes lost in his music, entering a state of oblivion, leaving Julia to watch in melancholy.
Now in the forest, dwelling place of sorcerers and witches, of outlaws, gangs of bandits and the doomed, Julia, bewildered by her lover's neglect sets her bare feet upon this decaded song to wait in apathy of death to come.
Julia finds herself in a dangerous forest inhabited by sorcerers, witches, outlaws, and other doomed individuals. Confused and disillusioned by David's neglect, she resigns herself to death while standing on a decaying song.
Now the day has nearly gone and while our troubled mind has slowly wandered off to blessed sleep, a ray of solid gold pierces the twilight in the trees and splashes gently on her lovely face.
As night draws near and she rests, a beam of golden light creeps through the trees, softly illuminating her beautiful face.
Thus awakened, she's in focus with a gigant object in a blaze of fire.
Now alert, she notices a huge object emitting flames.
A thing that she has never seen nor heard about.
An object completely foreign to her experience and knowledge.
Yet, she approaches almost hypnotized, and, as she touches with her hand its silver frame the mere startle of its coolness makes her tremble.
Hypnotized or entranced, Julia draws closer to the object and shudders when she touches its cool, silver frame.
Now she believed his troubled world or she will take off into time and space?
The question remains whether Julia will embrace or reject David's chaotic, troubled world or launch into the unknown vastness of time and space.
Writer(s): Linda Dyck, Marinus P. Rick Linden
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.