Debut by early and historically important French progressive rock band.
A Parisian combo Triangle were founded in mid 1967 originally as a trio by Gérard "Papillon" Fournier (bass, voices), Pierre Fanen (guitars), and Jean-Pierre Prévotat (drums). In 1968 Alain Renaud replaced Pierre as a guitarist and vocalist, and in 1969 they released the debut single, that could not get any success. Alain in despair has left the combo and François Jeanneau (keyboards, saxophone) and Paul Farges (guitar) joined soon. In the following year they published the second single titled "Elégie À Gabrielle" (named after the suicide of Gabrielle Russier, a high school teacher falling in love with one of her students), and via a French label Pathé their debut eponymous album, featuring a smash hit "Peut-Être Demain".

Although generally classified as an atmospheric gothic metal band, On Thorns I Lay has become known for its change from early, brutal death-metal (under their previous names Paralysis and Phlebotomy) to softer, atmospheric rock. Crystal Tears is no exception to this evolution. However, this specific album can be regarded as an important turning point in their career as this is a drastic change in their aesthetic orientation. Despite previous stylistic changes, the band was accustomed to navigating the waters of extreme metal until this album. Crystal Tears radically turns toward a softer and more atmospheric direction.

Many jazz fans don't realize how long ago Billy Taylor began his career; this French anthology assembles five separate sessions that he led as a young man between 1945 and 1949, as well as one date as a sideman. In 1945 he shows the influence of both Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson in the lightly swinging take of "Night and Day," while his campy approach to "Alexander's Ragtime Band" is rather refreshing. His lyrical solo interpretation of "The Very Thought of You" from 1946 demonstrates his considerable growth as a pianist. Taylor also wrote seven of the songs, which include two versions of his easygoing "Stridin' Down the Champs-Elysees," the flashy blues "Well Taylor-Ed," and two rare vocals by Taylor on the Nat King Cole-like "I Don't Ask Questions, I Just Have Fun" and "So You Think You're Cute"…