Record Reviews

VANILLA FUDGE ~ MYSTERY MUSIC ON CD 14277 (Barcode: 8718627235720) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1984 Released: 2023 This is a reissue of the 6th album by the American Rock group Vanilla FudgeFind albums by this artist, recorded after a fifteen years long gap following the recording of their previous album. It was recorded by the original lineup of the group, which consisted of lead vocalist / organist Mark SteinFind albums by this artist, guitarist Vince MartellFind albums by this artist, bassist Tim BogertFind albums by this artist and drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist. Two additional guitar players were added: Ron MancusoFind albums by this artist, who plays on most tracks and Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist (under the J. ToadFind albums by this artist moniker), who plays on two tracks. The album presents ten tracks, eight of which are originals by the group members and two are arrangements of Pop songs. The music world changed dramatically since the release of their previous album and by the time this album was released the music it contained was as out of sync with the then current scene as one can imagine, which meant that despite the fact that the music was first rate Classic Rock, the album had no chance whatsoever to succeed and the album was quickly forgotten. Overall, in retrospect this is a fine collection of songs splendidly performed by these excellent musicians, and is certainly worthy being cherished by true Rock enthusiasts, who still remember what real music sounds like.

Updated: 11/03/2025Posted: 11/03/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

VANILLA FUDGE ~ WHERE IS MY MIND? (THE ATCO RECORDINGS 1967-1969) ESOTERIC 2882 (Barcode: 5013929488243) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2024 This brilliant 9CD Box Set compiles all the recordings by the American Rock group Vanilla FudgeFind albums by this artist released on the AtcoFind albums on this label label. It includes the newly remastered five albums, a live performance and a plethora of bonus material. It also includes an interesting booklet with background material, historical overview and photographs of the group. The original lineup of Vanilla Fudge included lead vocalist / organist Mark SteinFind albums by this artist, guitarist Vince MartellFind albums by this artist, bassist Tim BogertFind albums by this artist and drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist. CD1 presents the mono version of the debut eponymous album “Vanilla FudgeFind albums with this title” and three bonus tracks taken from singles. CD2 presents the stereo version of the debut album two bonus tracks, also taken from singles. CD3 presents the mono version of the 2nd album “The Beat Goes OnFind albums with this title” and two bonus tracks taken from a single. CD4 presents the stereo version of the 2nd album and two bonus tracks taken from album outtakes and a single. CD5 presents the 3rd album “RenaissanceFind albums with this title” and four bonus tracks taken from singles and album outtakes. CD6 and CD7 present a live concert recorded at the Fillmore West, San Francisco on January 1st 1969. CD8 presents the 4th album “Near The BeginningFind albums with this title” and seven bonus tracks taken from singles and studio outtakes. CD9 presents the 5th album “Rock & RollFind albums with this title” and six bonus tracks taken from singles and studio outtakes. Some of the bonus material as well as the live concert recordings in this Box Set were previously released in 2010 as the “Box Of FudgeFind albums with this title” 4CD Box Set on Rhino HandmadeFind albums on this label, which is now a collectors’ item. The original lineup (with guest musicians) released only one more album “MysteryFind albums with this title” in 1984, but that is another story. Vanilla Fudge shocked the Rock World with their revolutionary / visionary eponymous album, which offered a new approach to Rock, based on novel arrangements of Pop songs, which were expanded into mammoth pieces stretching several minutes, completely unheard of at the time, inventing Psychedelic and Hard Rock on their way. I vividly remember hearing their music for the first time during the Summer of Love (in 1967 for the oblivious) and I was completely baffled and amazed, by the sheer audacity of these guys, who were doing to Rock almost the same John ColtraneFind albums by this artist was doing to Jazz. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, the young listeners went along and the Vanilla Fudge became extremely popular for a while. The effect of surprise weakened in time, as the group repeated the same formula time and again and later started to record their original material, and the charm was lost, but they have definitely made a most significant mark of the Rock idiom. They surely invented the concept of a cover sounding infinitely more interesting than an original song. Overall, this is an essential piece of Rock History and having all this material in one box is extremely handy. So if you don’t have these albums individually in your collection, or you miss the a.m. “Box Of Fudge” Box Set, this Box Set is an absolute must have. If you have forgotten how this music sounds, you will thank me for getting back to it I’m sure. There were definitely better days for music!

Updated: 07/03/2025Posted: 20/02/2025

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend