Record Reviews

CARMEN ~ FANDANGOS IN SPACE / DANCING ON A COLD WIND ANGEL AIR 229 (Barcode: 5055011702295) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2006 One of the most eagerly awaited reissues ever of the first two albums released by the US / UK Prog group CarmenFind albums by this artist, which were amongst the most sought after albums among Prog collectors for almost 30 years. Carmen originated in the US and was a brainchild of David AllenFind albums by this artist and Angela AllenFind albums by this artist, who took their Flamenco roots and mixed them with rock. In 1973 the band moved to UK, which was more open to their unusual musical direction. The legendary Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist produced their first two albums. In spite of the initial high interest in the band somehow things eventually did not work out and after recording one more album they disbanded and disappeared from the scene. The albums remain as an important legacy of the period, especially in view of the fact that they are one of the first attempts to combine wold music (in this case Flamenco) with rock elements, which they certainly did with great taste and talent. The band included the bass player John GlascockFind albums by this artist, who later joined the ranks of Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, where he stayed till his death in 1979.

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

STRAWBS ~ STRAWBS (EXPANDED EDITION) A&M 5302679 (Barcode: 600753026793) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008 2nd album by the legendary UK Folk-Rock group StrawbsFind albums by this artist, although officially often referred to as their first album, as the first recordings with Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist remained unreleased until much after this album was released. Led by Dave CousinsFind albums by this artist, who is still in the helm 40 years later enjoying the renewed interest in the band, Strawbs were definitely one of the most successful and brilliant UK Folk-Rock outfits. In various stages of their career they would explore other avenues, getting closer to Rock and Pop, but they always remained faithful to the Folk tradition, which is their core inspiration. Cousins, a remarkable singer, guitarist and songwriter, was also a hardened bandleader and his personality is the key for the band´s ability to keep going for four decades. This album, which was the 1st they recorded for the UK branch of the US A&MFind albums on this label label, is a brilliant collection of songs, all written by Cousins. The group was a trio at the time (Cousins with Tony HooperFind albums by this artist and Ron ChestermanFind albums by this artist), but many studio musicians support the band, and the superb arrangements and brilliant production by Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist make it an everlasting masterpiece of the genre. I have no idea how this piece of music history remained unreleased on CD until now, but once out this is a must buy for all Strawbs and Folk-Rock enthusiasts. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

T. REX ~ T. REX (DELUXE EDITION) A&M 600753473221 (Barcode: 600753473221) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by the British group T. RexFind albums by this artist, which in fact is a second incarnation of the duo Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, founded by singer / guitarist / songwriter / poet Marc BolanFind albums by this artist. Initially it included only Bolan´s partner from Tyrannosaurus Rex, Mickey FinnFind albums by this artist, but was later expanded to a quartet. This edition of the album includes a plethora of bonus tracks, including radio broadcasts, home recorded demos and alternate takes of the album tracks and more than triples the playing time of the original album. The music on this album presents the transformation of the group from its almost anarchistic roots of Psychedelia, poetic suites with complex verses and lots of weirdness into a wide audience oriented sleek hits producing machine and fashion setting Glam act, which the group was to become in its immediate future. Although the album itself does not include any hits, the bonus tracks include the first hit single, which brought T. Rex (almost) to the top, "Ride A White Swan", which reached number two on the British charts. From now on everything was a rollercoaster with Bolan at the steering wheel, writing all the music and the lyrics. He managed to stay at the centre of attention right up to his tragic and unnecessary death in 1977. Bolan´s friendship with David BowieFind albums by this artist and their occasional musical cooperation was not incidental. They both shared a love of the eccentric and both were trend setters. Bolan and Bowie also shared their manager (Tony HowardFind albums by this artist) and producer (Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist) which made things easier. Bolan was among the first British stars to expand the usual Rock appearance with the vaudeville tradition, wearing colorful, often outrageous garments and using heavy makeup, similar to what Bowie and slightly later Elton JohnFind albums by this artist would also do as part of their act. Therefore he is often credited with the initiation of Glam Rock movement, which later on contributed also to the formation of the Punk culture, as means of protest against the glittering decadence. Musically this album is a bit weaker that the four Tyrannosaurus Rex albums, which were completely innovative and uncensored, taking the listener by complete surprise if not giving him a shock treatment. The slicker production tricks, overdubs and improved vocals made everything definitely easier to swallow but at the same time much of the magic was lost in the process. On the other hand the songs themselves don´t have the zest and catchiness which was part of the later material. As stated earlier, a transitional album, which is a historic document more than it is a source of musical delights, but certainly worth revisiting.

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ MY PEOPLE WERE FAIR AND HAD SKY IN THEIR HAIR… (DELUXE EDITION) A&M 600753538876 (Barcode: 600753538876) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by the British duo Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, founded and led by singer / guitarist / songwriter / poet Marc BolanFind albums by this artist, which also included percussionist Steve Peregrin TookFind albums by this artist. Bolan was one of Britain´s most idiosyncratic and prophetic Pop stars and his short stay on this earth (he died tragically in a car accident a couple of weeks before his thirtieth birthday) was comparable to a comet passing us by. Blessed by a highly unusual voice Bolan was involved in music since his early school days, first coming to wider attention as a member of the short-lived group John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist. After the group fell apart Bolan formed Tyrannosaurus Rex, a duo playing and singing a weird mixture of Folk and Psychedelia, which was completely unique and Avant-Garde, even for the Flower Power era. "Adopted" by the American (who just moved to England) producer Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist, who encouraged Bolan and produced almost all his albums, the duo recorded four sensational albums before shortening their name to T. RexFind albums by this artist, which later became one of the pioneers of British Glam Rock and brought Bolan fame and fortune. The fact that albums such as this one were released by a major record label and even managed to achieve chart success is a wonderful document of the short period of time, when anything could happen on the music scene and of course the incredible musical creativity that flourished at the time. Some critics see in this album the last part of the great Psychedelic Trilogy, which started with DonovanFind albums by this artist´s "A Gift From A Flower To A GardenFind albums with this title" and continued with Pink FloydFind albums by this artist´s "The Piper At The Gates Of DawnFind albums with this title". This might be a little exaggerated, but the days when such Avant-Garde music, which featured bizarre vocals, chanting, gibberish, associative poetry and a full blown Psychedelic aura was accepted as "normal" by the majority of listeners were definitely miraculous and sadly very short-lived. Because of its uniqueness the music on this album is completely timeless and lost absolutely nothing of its effectiveness and beauty over time. Of course if it was released today, the number of people ready to give it an ear would probably be infinitesimal. This Deluxe Edition includes a plethora of bonus material, almost quadrupling the original album´s contents, including BBC sessions recorded before the debut album was recorded and other BBC material, stereo version of the original mono album, home demos etc. The accompanying booklet includes an essay by Boland´s biographer Mark PaytressFind albums by this artist, the album´s songs lyrics and a many wonderful photographs, justifying the reissue effort in full.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

TYRANNOSAURUS REX ~ MY PEOPLE WERE FAIR AND HAD SKY IN THEIR HAIR… (EXPANDED EDITION) A&M 9822509 (Barcode: 602498225097) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2004 This is the debut album by one of the most esoteric musical outfits on the UK scene during the heydays of the Psychedelic explosion. Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist were a duo led by Marc BolanFind albums by this artist, who was a member of the band John`s ChildrenFind albums by this artist before forming this band. Firmly based on the folk tradition, the duo expanded their unique sound way beyond the basics of folk by using elements of world music rhythmic patterns, chanting, gibberish and of course the outlandish vocal qualities of Bolan’s voice. Shortly after the band was formed, they were spotted, while performing at London’s legendary UFO Club, by Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist, who produced all their albums, They scored a surprising hit with the song “Debora” (their debut single) and had a dedicated following. After releasing four very interesting albums Bolan shortened the name of the band to T. RexFind albums by this artist and later on became a mega-star with his group during the Glam Rock Period. He died tragically in 1977 in a car accident. In retrospect this is one of the most surprising debut albums of the period and although not an easy listening, its intrinsic qualities make it a gem well worth remembering and repeated listening. The expanded edition more than doubles the contents of the original album and is splendidly remastered.

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend