Record Reviews

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ BAD DREAMS TALKING ELEPHANT 145 (Barcode: 5028479014521) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2009 8th album by the wonderful British Folk-Rock / Prog group Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and sophisticated bands to appear on the scene in the 1970s. After recording four wonderful albums for the IslandFind albums on this label label, the band switched to the DJMFind albums on this label label, where they recorded four additional albums before disbanding. With the departure of John GaldwinFind albums by this artist, the duo of Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist continued to carry the band´s tradition, utilizing well-known Rock musicians as guest artists and modifying the sound to a more contemporary rockier song format. On this album the guests include pianist Dave SkinnerFind albums by this artist, bassist Mick FeatFind albums by this artist and drummer John GilstonFind albums by this artist, as well as extensive orchestral arrangements. This is quite different from the first incarnation of the group, but still a great testimony of the times now long gone. Worth investigation!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ INSPIRATION TALKING ELEPHANT 140 (Barcode: 5028479014026) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2009 7th album by the wonderful British Folk-Rock / Prog group Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and sophisticated bands to appear on the scene in the 1970s. After recording four wonderful albums for the IslandFind albums on this label label, the band switched to the DJMFind albums on this label label, where they recorded four additional albums before disbanding. With the departure of John GaldwinFind albums by this artist, the duo of Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist continued to carry the band´s tradition, utilizing well-known Rock musicians as guest artists and modifying the sound to a more contemporary rockier song format. On this album the guests include pianist Dave SkinnerFind albums by this artist and reedman Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist, as well as extensive orchestral arrangements. This is quite different from the first incarnation of the group, but still a great testimony of the times now long gone. Worth investigation!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ LIVE IN TOKYO TALKING ELEPHANT 144 (Barcode: 5028479014422) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1977 Released: 2009 9th and last album by the wonderful British Folk-Rock / Prog group Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and sophisticated bands to appear on the scene in the 1970s. After recording four wonderful albums for the IslandFind albums on this label label, the band switched to the DJMFind albums on this label label, where they recorded four additional albums before disbanding. With the departure of John GaldwinFind albums by this artist, the duo of Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist continued to carry the band´s tradition, utilizing well-known Rock musicians as guest artists and modifying the sound to a more contemporary rockier song format. This album has nothing to do with Japan, as it was recorded in Europe, although the group was quite popular in Japan at the time. This album represents in a way a comeback to the acoustic version of the band, with just Wincott and Baird up front, accompanied by an orchestra at times, doing what they do best. In many respects it is the best effort of the later period of the band and a perfect parting gift. Worth investigation!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ MULGRAVE STREET TALKING ELEPHANT 141 (Barcode: 5028479014125) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2009 6th album by the wonderful British Folk-Rock / Prog group Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and sophisticated bands to appear on the scene in the 1970s. After recording four wonderful albums for the IslandFind albums on this label label, the band switched to the DJMFind albums on this label label, where they recorded four additional albums before disbanding. With the departure of John GaldwinFind albums by this artist following the recording of "EnglandFind albums with this title", the duo of Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist continued to carry the band´s tradition, utilizing well-known Rock musicians as guest artists and modifying the sound to a more contemporary rockier song format. However, the Folk elements and occasional medieval music elements were still incorporated into the music, with their vocal harmonies remaining second to none. On this album the guests include FreeFind albums by this artist´s guitarist Paul KossoffFind albums by this artist, drummer Simon KirkeFind albums by this artist and keyboardist John BundrickFind albums by this artist. This is quite different from the first incarnation of the group, but still a great testimony of the times now long gone. Worth investigation!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ RESTORATION TALKING ELEPHANT 093 (Barcode: 5028479009329) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1997 Released: 2006 The original members of Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist: John GladwinFind albums by this artist, Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist, reunited 22 years after they created some magical music in the 1970s, and recorded this great album as if time stood still since. They were at it again, reviving, at least stylistically, early English music, with their acoustic instruments and amazing vocal harmonies, presenting a new set of wonderful melodies and those humorous lyrics, even throwing one Latin song as a bonus. Transported in time a few hundred years back, one can hear Elizabethan chords, madrigals and other trademarks of medieval music, at their full glory. One can only wish that all band reunions would produce such a triumphant result, but alas this is too much to ask in most cases. At least this album is the exception, which was well worth waiting for. Brilliant stuff!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ THE AMAZING ELSIE EMERALD TALKING ELEPHANT 162 (Barcode: 5028479016228) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 A new and unexpected album by the wonderful British Folk-Rock / Prog group Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and sophisticated bands to appear on the scene in the 1970s. After recording four wonderful albums for the IslandFind albums on this label label, the band switched to the DJMFind albums on this label label, where they recorded four additional albums before disbanding. With the departure of John GaldwinFind albums by this artist, the duo of Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist continued to carry the band´s tradition, utilizing well-known Rock musicians as guest artists and modifying the sound to a more contemporary rockier song format. The album presents a collection of new material, written entirely by Baird, and performed by the duo, with help from several guest musicians. It seems they are aging well, as they can still make some great music. Worth investigation!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend