line up 1 (1970-71)

- Tom Barlage -- sax, flute, percussion, backing vocals 

- Willem Ennes (RIP 2012) -- piano, organ, 

- Elka Rhapsody -- synthesizers

- Peter van der Sande -- vocals, bass

- Hans Waterman --  drums, percussion

  line up 2 (1971-)

- Tom Barlage -- sax, flute, percussion, backing vocals 

- Willem Ennes (RIP 2012) -- piano, organ, 

- Hans Waterman --  drums, percussion

NEW - Guus Willemse  -- lead & backing vocals, bass, guitar

   (replaced Peter van  der Sande)

  supporting musicians (1975)

- Frankie Fish -- backing vocals 

- Michiel Pos -- sax, guitar 

- Elka Rhapsody -- synthesizers

- Apartment One (Peter van der Sande)

- Beehive (Michiel Pos)

- Cuby + Blizzards (Hans Waterman) 

- The Rob Hooke Rhythm & Blues Group (Guus Willemse)

- Houseband (Harry Hardholt)

- Jody's Private Luxury (Tom Barlage)

- The Keys (Tom Barlage and Willem Ennes)

- Koor Zonder Naam (Willem Ennes - Hans Waterman) 

- The New London Band (Tom Barlage)

- O.S.M. (Willem Ennes)

- OPMC (Peter van der Sande)

- The Original City Machine (Tom Barlage and Willem Ennes))

- The Pretty Things (Hans Waterman) 

- Q65 (Hans Waterman) 

- Serpentine (Peter van der Sande)

- Slagwerkgroep (Hans Waterman) 

- Allez Soldaat (Peter van der Sande)

- Truce (Guus Willemse)

- Gus Williams (Guus Willemse)

Genre: jazz-rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Cordon Bleu

Company: Rocket

Catalog: PIG  2189
Year: 1975

Country/State: Groningen, Holland

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $15.00

I've always wondered about the connection between the Dutch jazz-rock band Solution and Elton John.  Produced by longtime John producer Gus Dudgeon, Solution's third album "Cordon Bleu' was also released by John's Rocket Records. Certainly an odd partnership.  With the recording sessions taking place at Kingsley and Chares Ward's famed Welch Rockfield Studios, their third album featured the talents of multi-instrumentalist Tom Barlage, keyboard player Willem Ennes, drummer Hans Waterman and singer/guitarist Guus Willemse.  All four members contributing to songwriting chores with help from singer/songwriter Frankie Fish and Beehive sax player Michiel Pos.  At east to my ears the album continued the band's shift away from jazz-rock and progressive moves featured on their first two releases.  This time around the collection featured a mix of lengthy instrumentals ('Chappaqua' and 'Whirligig') and shorter, far more commercial pieces.  Unlike 1971's "Solution" and 1972's "Divergence") there were four vocal numbers.  With  bassist Willemse handling all of the lead vocals, Third Line Part 2', 'A Song for You', 'Last Detail Part 1' and 'A Song for You' were all quite commercial, radio-friendly ballads.  Willemse vocals reflected little in the way of accent and his delivery was slick and likeable - imagine something off an Alan Parsons Project LP.  And that raised an interesting point.  For a band who'd made their reputation as jazz-rockers, had they now morphed into a completely mainstream and even commercial enterprise?  Hardcore jazz-rock/progressive fans were probably appalled by some of these songs,, but for folks who liked their jazz to be light and melodic, it wasn't a bad entry into the Solution catalog (which featured six studio albums and a posthumous live set).

"Cordon Bleu" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Chappaqua (instrumental) (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes - Hans Waterman) - 10:33 rating: *** stars

The opening instrumental 'Chappaqua' was tuneful and pleasant. I guess it was jazzy - soft jazz?  Kenny G jazz?  Regardless it made for a nice piece of summer driving music.  Roll down the windows, open up the sunroof and put your hand out the window while driving a back road to a craft beer brewery.  It also sounded like something you'd hear while you were waiting for your phone company to pick up the line to answer a billing question.  Clocking in at just short of eleven minutes, you probably got to hear the song two or three times while on hold.  An edited version of the song was released as a promotional single in the UK:

- 1975's 'Chappaqua' b/w Whirlgig' (Rocket catalog number PSR 405)

2.) Third Line Part 1 (instrumental) (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes - Guus Willemse) - 1:38 rating: *** stars

A brief atmospheric instrumental, 'Third Line Part 1' wouldn't have sound out of place on a Steely Dan album. 

3.) Third Line Part 2 (Guus Willemse - Michiel Pos - Frankie Fish) - 5:44 rating: **** stars

'Third Line Part 2' saw the vocals kick in.  Featuring Willemse on lead vocals with backing vocals from Barlage - and guest/co-writer Frankie Fishery, the result was a very pretty David Pack and Ambrosia-styled Yacht rock ballad. I've always wondered why this wasn't the choice for a single.

4.) A Song for You (Guus Willemse - Michiel Pos - Frankie Fish) - 3:53 rating: ** stars

Sure it was pretty, but wow was 'A Song for You' sappy.  Imagine one of those ballads '90s Peter Cetera wrote and sang for Chicago.  I'm pretty sure the band's jazz-rock fusion fan base was appalled to hear something as top-40 commercial as this one.

(side 2)
1.) Whirligig (instrumental) (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes - Guus Willemse) - 9:00 rating: *** stars

Opening up with some nice Willemse bass moves and an interesting Barlage sax refrain, the instrumental was the album's most jazz oriented performance.  Mind you this was hard-edge jazz, rather jazz with Barlage's sax and flute work providing a catchy, commercial sheen.  For goodness sakes I liked the groove and have played it the track on Sunday mornings and as background music for parties. A shortened version of the song reappeared on the band's 'Chappaqua' 45.

2.) Last Detail Part 1 (instrumental) (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes - Guus Willemse - Michiel Pos - Frankie Fish) - 2:48 rating: *** stars

Opening up with an anthemic feel, 'Last Detail' followed the same pattern as several other tracks - 'Part 1' reflecting an instrumental' section, with 'Part 2' showcasing the vocals.

3.) Part 2 (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes - Hans Waterman - Guus Willemse)  - 2:41 rating: **** stars
Willemse's vocals reflected very little accent and for years they've reminded me of another singer.  Best comparison I can come up with is one of the artists who backed up The Alan Parson's Project.  Speaking of which, the ballad 'Last Detail Part' would not have sounded out of place on  an APP album.  The song certainly had the album's best chorus.

4.) Black Pearl Part 1 (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes - Guus Willemse - Michiel Pos - Frankie Fish) - 1:14 rating: ** stars

Not meant as a criticism, but the poppy 'Black Pearl Part 1' would not have sounded out of place on an Elton John album.  Of course Barlage flute pushed the band back into Kenny G territory.

5.) Black Pearl Part 2 (Tom Barlage - Willem Ennes) - 5:01 rating: *** stars

As before 'Part 2' introduced the song's vocal segment and once again the smooth commercial sound placed the band firmly in the Yacht rock genre. The vocals reminded me of David Pack and Ambrosia.  Barlage's sax solos reminded me a touch of a Gerry Rafferty tune.

© Scott R. Blackerby November, 2024