Record Reviews
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  | GREENSLADE ~ AT THE BBC
REPERTOIRE 1468 (Barcode: 4009910146828) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2024
This is an archival album by the British Progressive Rock quartet GreensladeFind albums by this artist, formed by two members of the iconic ColosseumFind albums by this artist, following the band’s demise in 1971: keyboards wizard / composer Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist and bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist. They were joined by second keyboardist / vocalist Dave LawsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrew McCullochFind albums by this artist. The band lasted for only three years and recorded four excellent studio albums. This 2CD album collects their live BBC concerts captured between early 1973 and late 1974, covering material released on the first three albums, presenting a total of twenty tracks.
Dave Greenslade contributed most of the music but some of it was co-composed with Lawson, who also contributed the lyrics. Reeves also contributed some tunes and co-composed others. The band had a very specific and unusual sound and ambience, as it was guitar-less (which was almost unthinkable for a Rock / Prog band), and a double keyboards front line, and a very strong Jazzy swing, which in retrospect might easily earn them an early Fusion connotation, which I personally always liked a lot.
Dave Greenslade played mostly the Hammond organ and Mellotron, while Lawson preferred synthesizers and clavinet, but they often exchanged the instruments, frequently creating a “wall of sound” effect. Reeves was a brilliant bassist, strongly Jazz influenced from his earlier career, and McCulloch was a brilliant, universal drummer, who could play anything with the same ease and elegance. In short they were a rare and dazzling collection of superb instrumentalists, which made Greenslade one of the most interesting British bands in the early 1970s.
Overall, this is an excellent document of the British Prog scene, especially in view of the fact that the group never released a live album (there were some semi-legal live albums released much later). The BBC sound quality is excellent as one might expect and the music flows briskly and interestingly for the entire duration. Although most Prog material recorded at the same time sound dated and smells a bit “musky” today, this music retained much of its initial originality over time. Definitely worth being re-visited!
| | Updated: 10/11/2024Posted: 07/10/2024 | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GREENSLADE ~ BEDSIDE MANNERS ARE EXTRA
WOUNDED BIRD 6866 (Barcode: 664140686625) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2006
2nd album by GreensladeFind albums by this artist released just a few months following the eponymous debut. With a steady lineup and a prolific composer like Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, the band just couldn’t go wrong and this album is every bit as good as the stunning debut. It includes a set of great instrumental and vocal tracks, all performed perfectly and all being classic Prog of the highest caliber. The music is completely timeless and as enjoyable today as it was at the time of its release. The album has another great Roger DeanFind albums by this artist’s sleeve. Absolute must for all Prog heads.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | GREENSLADE ~ GREENSLADE
WOUNDED BIRD 2698 (Barcode: 664140269828) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2006
1st album by the phenomenal Prog group GreensladeFind albums by this artist created by keyboards wizard Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, following the demise of ColosseumFind albums by this artist Mk. I. Greenslade joined forces with original Colosseum bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist, a remarkable player with strong jazz background, who played both the electric and acoustic bass with elegance and sensitivity. To complete the group they enlisted the great (and sadly overlooked and under appreciated) drummer Andrew McCullochFind albums by this artist, who played with Manfred MannFind albums by this artist, King CrimsonFind albums by this artist (LizardFind albums with this title) and Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and since the mid-1970s disappeared from the music scene almost completely. The fourth member of the group was the keyboardist / vocalist Dave LawsonFind albums by this artist (Episode SixFind albums by this artist, StackridgeFind albums by this artist), an excellent musician who handled the complex compositions with flying colors. Greenslade, a prolific composer, wrote most of the material for the group, with some marginal contributions by Reeves and Lawson (who handled the lyrics). He used a wide range of keyboards between acoustic piano, organ and synthesizers, creating complex and beautiful sound layers, amply supported by his fellow band members. The debut album is a classic showcase of Prog at its best: great melodies, superb instrumental work and a wide range of influences including jazz, blues, rock and classical music. A beautiful sleeve work by Roger DeanFind albums by this artist. An absolute must for any serious Prog lover.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | GREENSLADE ~ LARGE AFTERNOON
MYSTIC 142 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
A new album recorded in 2000 by a reincarnation of this legendary band, featuring the two original founding members (Greenslade & Reeves). With modern keyboards technology at hand, Greenslade proves again that he`s one of the most talented players of all times and his compositional skills are as strong as ever.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | GREENSLADE ~ LIVE
MYSTIC 136 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
The group Greenslade was formed in 1973 by two ex-Colosseum members - keyboards wizard Dave Greenslade and bassist Tony Reeves. They were one of the best keyboards oriented Prog groups ever and released 4 albums. This recording is the only `live` document of their dynamic delivery. Recorded in 1973 and 1975 it features some of their best music.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | DAVE GREENSLADE ~ GOING SOUTH
MYSTIC 137 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
A new album from 1999 by the keyboards wizard Dave Greenslade, who is the leader of the group bearing his name. This is a typical keyboards oriented solo work, similar in format to the Wakeman efforts, but the compositions are more interesting and well developed.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | DAVE GREENSLADE ~ THE PENTATEUCH OF THE COSMOGONY
BGO 170 (Barcode: 5017261201706) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1994
2nd solo album by keyboardist Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, known to Prog fans as a member of the legendary ColosseumFind albums by this artist and leader of his group GreensladeFind albums by this artist, originally released as a double LP accompanied by a stunningly produced science fiction book written and illustrated by Patrick WoodroffeFind albums by this artist, somewhat resembling the art of Roger DeanFind albums by this artist. This ambitious project remains to this day a great example of cooperation between music and graphic arts. The music written and performed by Greenslade on a plethora of keyboards (with some drum parts played by Phil CollinsFind albums by this artist and John LingwoodFind albums by this artist) marks his departure from the jazzy improvisational style he used previously into more classical / ambient direction, which disappointed many of his fans at the time of this album´s release. However, in retrospect, one must judge this music as part of the entire concept, which was highly innovative at the time. The album / book package definitely retains much of its artistic merit. The lavish CD reissue includes the complete music and a copy of the original book packaged together in a box-set. Definitely worth investigating, if you can get it.
| | | BOOK+CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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