Record Reviews

JOHNNY ALMOND / MUSIC MACHINE ~ HOLLYWOOD BLUES VOCALION 8441 (Barcode: 765387844127) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008 2nd (and last) album by British multi-instrumentalist / composer Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist recorded under the Johnny Almond Music MachineFind albums by this artist moniker. Although recorded only a few months following the debut “Patent PendingFind albums with this title”, it is a completely different affair, as the album was recorded in the US and all the musicians except Almond come from the US West Coast. The opportunity to record this album arrived, when Almond visited the US to perform at the 1969 edition of the Newport Jazz Festival with John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist. Legendary producer Mike VernonFind albums by this artist came up with the idea to record an album with Almond and some local musicians. For the recording session a rhythm section was assembled, which included organist Charles KynardFind albums by this artist, legendary guitarist Joe PassFind albums by this artist, bassist Ray NeapolitanFind albums by this artist and drummers Earl PalmerFind albums by this artist / Joe HarrisFind albums by this artist. On the front line Almond was paired with one of three saxophone players: Hadley CalimanFind albums by this artist, Curtis AmyFind albums by this artist and Vi ReddFind albums by this artist. He plays several instruments (as usual) – tenor and alto saxophone, flutes, organ and vibraphone. Almond wrote most of the music on the album, with just a couple of standards used. The result is a delightful, funky, soulful session with excellent music and some remarkable solos. Almond’s playing bears a distinctive European approach, which when consolidated with the American natural bluesy sound fits just perfectly. The album is much more jazzy that the debut and perhaps less adventurous, but nevertheless and excellent document of the fine music that was happening at the time and cross-pollination of musical ideas. Most warmly recommended! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice I think this deserves an "essential" label - certainly an essential part of the soundtrack to my musical and general development; first a pirated reel-to-reel copy back in the early 70s; then eventually a second hand LP when I found one; and now the CD for easy access and road-trip enhancement.

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EDDIE BOYD ~ THE COMPLETE BLUE HORIZON SESSIONS BLUE HORIZON 676968 (Barcode: 828767696829) ~ USA ~ Blues Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2006 US Blues Giant Eddie BoydFind albums by this artist hails from the Mississippi Delta. Like many of his Blues companions, he left the South and settled in Chicago in the early 1940’s, where he developed his original style as pianist and singer, but mostly as a gifted composer of many Blues standards, universally performed all over the world today. In 1965 Boyd decided to leave the US, deeply disenchanted by the segregation and racism still prominent there at the time, and settled in Europe, first in Belgium and then in Finland, where he died in 1994. While in Europe, his career flourished both as a performer and a recording artist. Among his many recordings, the sessions he recorded in 1967-1968 for the UK label Blue Horizon (owned and headed by one of the most important Blues producers Mike VernonFind albums by this artist) stand out as truly remarkable. At that time the greatest UK Blues band Fleetwood MacFind albums by this artist was practically the Blue Horizon “hose” band and accompanied many musicians on their recording sessions. So here it is – some outstanding blues music performed by the Master Eddie Boyd on piano / vocals and Fleetwood Mac (Peter GreenFind albums by this artist – guitar, John McVieFind albums by this artist – bass and Mick FleetwoodFind albums by this artist – drums) supporting him with passion and vigor. For a Blues fan it does not get much better.

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CHICKEN SHACK ~ THE COMPLETE BLUE HORIZON SESSIONS BLUE HORIZON 673494 ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 1968 - 1970 British producer and blues enthusiast Mike VernonFind albums by this artist started the Blue HorizonFind albums on this label label in 1965 in order to release some American blues recordings and soon after also original British blues Artists appearing on the scene as a result of the British Blues Revival, which happened in the late 1960’s. In 1967 the label signed a distribution deal with a major (CBSFind albums on this label) and took off. Their first act was the excellent group Chicken ShackFind albums by this artist, soon to be followed by no other than Fleetwood MacFind albums by this artist. Between 1967 and 1970 Chicken Shack recorded some of the best and most interesting British blues for the label, all of which is collected here, including of course their four albums: 40 Blue Fingers Freshly Packed & Ready To ServeFind albums with this title (recorded 1968), O. K. Ken?Find albums with this title (recorded 1968), 100 Ton ChickenFind albums with this title (recorded 1969) and AcceptFind albums with this title (recorded 1970). Led by Stan WebbFind albums by this artist, a virtuoso blues guitarist, and featuring the talents of Christine PerfectFind albums by this artist (who was to defect after the first two albums and join Fleetwood Mac after marrying one of their members) they played some of the tastiest and most well developed white blues material ever. The first two albums are pure blues and the next two show increasing rock tendencies, still very much blues based of course. This beautiful Box Set is an absolute must for every blues lover and an indispensable piece of the British blues history.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 3 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

OLYMPIC RUNNERS ~ PUT THE MUSIC WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS / OUT IN FRONT VOCALION 8460 (Barcode: 765387846022) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2010 British Funk-Jazz outfit Olympic RunnersFind albums by this artist were active on the local scene during the 1970s, releasing a series of albums which gained relatively little attention in spite of their classy content. The group was initially an instrumental quartet and included keyboardist Pete WingfieldFind albums by this artist, American guitarist Joe JammerFind albums by this artist, bassist Delisle HarperFind albums by this artist and drummer Glen LeFleurFind albums by this artist. Under the wings of veteran producer Mike VernonFind albums by this artist (who plays occasional percussion on the second album) they managed to gain some attention in the US later on. This album includes the first two releases recorded by the group, which includes some great funky grooves somewhat similar to Herbie Hancock´s Headhunters. Since Funk is Funk, the material remains relevant today and still induces some involuntary backside movement. Watch out!

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SARI SCHORR ~ A FORCE OF NATURE MANHATON 2044 (Barcode: 5038787204422) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2015 - 2016 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by American Blues / Blues-Rock vocalist / songwriter Sari SchorrFind albums by this artist, recorded in Spain between 2015 and 2016 and produced by legendary record producer and Blues aficionado Mike VernonFind albums by this artist. She is accompanied by an excellent band, which includes British guitarist Innes SibunFind albums by this artist and Spanish musicians: keyboardist Julian MaesoFind albums by this artist, bassist Nani CondeFind albums by this artist and drummer Jose MenaFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians also took part in the recording, including guitarists Walter TroutFind albums by this artist and Oli BrownFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, most of which were written or co-written by Schorr. Schorr is blessed with an incredibly expressive and powerful vocal abilities with almost no competitors on the contemporary scene. Combined with her excellent songwriting, she should dominate the Blues scene, but on the other hand she might simply be too good for her own good, as the recognition is somehow slow to come, at least as far as her enormous talent in concerned. In many respects Schorr’s talent is parallel to that of Janis Joplin, upon her arrival on the scene. Supported by excellent musicians she is an unstoppable hurricane of Blues-Rock energy on stage, as this album proves beyond any doubt; a force of Nature indeed! Overall, this is a brilliant debut album from start to finish, which is an absolute heaven on earth for Blues-Rock listeners, especially since the genre suffered from decades of absence of female vocalists of such class and talent. Go Lady!

Updated: 20/02/2024Posted: 20/02/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OTIS SPANN ~ COMPLETE BLUE HORIZON SESSIONS BLUE HORIZON 82290 (Barcode: 828768229026) ~ USA ~ Blues Recorded: 1968 - 1969 Released: 2006 This album collects all the recordings by US Blues pianist / vocalist Otis SpannFind albums by this artist recorded for the British Blue HorizonFind albums on this label label owned by producer and Blues connoisseur Mike VernonFind albums by this artist, who was one of the great heroes behind the scenes of the British Blues revival in the mid-1960. Since the British Blues group Fleetwood MacFind albums by this artist also recorded for Blue Horizon, the group met Spann during their 1969 US tour and befriended him, leading to Spann participating on the Fleetwood Mac´s "Blues Jam At ChessFind albums with this title" album recorded during that tour as well as Fleetwood Mac guitarists Peter GreenFind albums by this artist and Danny KirwanFind albums by this artist and bassist John McVieFind albums by this artist playing on Spann´s album "The Biggest Thing Since ColossusFind albums with this title", which is included here in its entirety and with many bonus tracks. Just a year after these sessions took place Spann fell victim to cancer, robbing the Blues fans of any opportunity to hear more of his superb work. This album is classic Blues at its best and an essential part of any serious Blues collection. Highly recommended!

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WEB ~ FULLY INTERLOCKING ESOTERIC 2080 (Barcode: 5013929718029) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008 1st album by the British band WebFind albums by this artist fronted by singer John L. WatsonFind albums by this artist. The band played a nice mix of Rock, Psychedelia and Jazz, which still sounds great today. The album was produced by the legendary producer Mike VernonFind albums by this artist. Apart from Watson, the band included guitarists Tony EdwardsFind albums by this artist and John EatonFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tom HarrisFind albums by this artist, bassist Dick Lee-SmithFind albums by this artist, percussionist Lennie WrightFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny BeveridgeFind albums by this artist. The material is all original and quite excellent and is very well played indeed. The late 1960s sound and production create that sound, which unfortunately is lost forever, which is another good reason to give this album a spin. Warmly recommended!

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