Ivory - Ivory (1973 Canada, prog space rock)br br Ivory was formed in early 1972 as a backup band for the lead singer, Grant Gullickson. However, Grant was somewhat uncomfortable with being the star, and wanted more of a "band" concept. Grant had been in a very successful band while he was in college, called the Canoise. Grant's friend and producer, Tim Alvarado, had the idea to create an all-keyboard band, with no electric guitarist at all. Originally, it was going to consist of three keyboardists and a drummer, but it was soon clear that with the superb musicians Paul Bass on Hammond organ, and Brian Whitcomb on piano, the sound was full and complex. Jim Divisek brought a strong rock feel on drums, but also a focus on eastern rhythms and electronic music acquired during his studies at Cal Arts. Steve Pinkston joined the group after their first bass player did not work out. Later, Grant's brother Lance Gullickson joined the group, and brought expanded vocal harmonies and songwriting skills to the mix.br br Ivory has generally been described as a progressive or "prog-rock" band. Certainly, one could hear echoes of Yes, King Crimson, and Procol Harum in their music. But there was also a bit of a jazz influence at work. Live, the group would often do instrumental sets of jazz standards like "Summertime" or "Milestones". Grant's singing onstage was vastly more dynamic than was ever captured in a recording studio, and the live interplay between the musicians was very intense.br br Ivory recorded just one album, a self-titled effort on Playboy Records (#PB115), produced by Tim Alvarado. Most of the album was recorded at the legendary Record Plant in Los Angeles. Two different versions were released. On the second version, a Robbie Robertson tune replaced a Kin Vassey tune, in order to qualify as "Canadian content" under that country's airplay rules.br Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rockbr br Tracksbr br 1. Morning Song (Grant Gullickson, Roger Kellaway) - 0:00br br 2. Prime Example (Michael Lanning) - 4:25br br 3. Take It Easy (Brian Whitcomb) - 7:26br br 4. Where Do We Go From Here (Robbie Robertson) - 10:33br br 5. Arrow Beach (James Divisek) - 13:10br br 6. Bringing Me Down (Grant Gullickson, Marian Brown) - 14:47br br 7. Bear Phaze (Stephen Pinkston) - 18:56br br 8. Theme For An Imaginary Western (Jack Bruce) - 21:29br br 9. I Want To Tell You (Grant Gullickson, Jim Bukey, Paul Bass) - 25:09br br 10.Time After Time (Brian Whitcomb, Grant Gullickson, Stephen Pinkston) - 33:18br br br Ivorybr br *Grant Gullickson - Vocalsbr *Stephen Finkaton - Electric Bass, String Bass. Tuba, Handsbr *Brian Whitcomb - Piano, Tack Piano, Melodica, Acoustic Whistle.