Record Reviews
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  | ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ ON AIR: LIVE AT THE BBC & OTHER TRANSMISSIONS
REPERTOIRE 1336 (Barcode: 4009910133620) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 - 1972 Released: 2018
This is an archival album by the British Progressive Rock group Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist, founded by keyboardist / composer Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist. The album offers a collection of live material, recorded for the BBC Radio 1 and German and Belgian TV. The two CDs present all the audio material and the DVD presents the TV video material, which means that the audio tracks are duplicated as the soundtrack of the video material. Altogether this package offers eighteen audio tracks, most of which were composed by Crane, and fourteen video tracks (two of them duplicated as different camera positions). The majority of the material was captured in 1972 with just two songs recorded in 1970 and another two in 1971, by older lineups of the group. Most of the material is performed by the lineup that features Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist on lead vocals, Crane on Hammond organ and other keyboards, Steve BoltonFind albums by this artist on guitar and Ric ParnellFind albums by this artist on drums, the lineup that recorded the "Made In EnglandFind albums with this title" album. All the music was meticulously remastered and offers a superb sound quality.
Crane was undoubtedly one of the absolute top British Prog keyboardists of the time (late 1960s and early 1970s), every bit as good as Keith EmersonFind albums by this artist, but without the bloated pretentiousness, and stylistically close to Brian AugerFind albums by this artist. His work with Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist was absolutely light years ahead of the time and his Atomic Rooster years established also his position as a composer, who managed to come up with some of the most impressive Rock riffs ever. His imagination and inventiveness were absolutely unique.
Farlowe, who as my readers know already, I consider as one of the top Prog vocalists ever, offers the entire range of his sensibilities from Soul, Rhythm And Blues, Rock and Jazz, and his performances here are the best support to my claims as to his importance. Bolton and Parnell also perform spotlessly and with great energy, precision and above all god taste.
Overall this is a superb opportunity to revisit some of Prog´s best moments, which still offered bold statements and iron balls, before the genre went completely into self-pity, lethargic excursions into nowhere and above all everlasting boredom. This music is full of zest, ingenuity and nontrivial musical adventures and is a wonderful time capsule preserving these moments for posterity.
Early British Prog enthusiasts will find this collection essential and filling a gap in the Atomic Rooster story with material that is not readily available. As usual with the RepertoireFind albums on this label label, this album is excellently packaged and offers knowledgeable liner notes by their resident music historian Chris WelchFind albums by this artist. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 30/06/2018 | 2CD+DVD 3 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARTHUR BROWN ~ CHISHOLM IN MY BOSOM
ESOTERIC 2299 (Barcode: 5013929739925) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2011
This little know album by the great British maverick Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist was completely ignored at the time of its release, but in retrospect it shows how versatile and brilliant Brown was with everything he touched. Recorded on a tight budget, Brown was able to collect around him some excellent musicians, including old friend from The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist and ex-Kingdom ComeFind albums by this artist guitarist Andrew DalbyFind albums by this artist. Brown wrote all but two songs on this album (including the 23 minutes long title track), with Dalby contributing one and a new version of "I Put A Spell On You", which was also featured on his debut album. Brown´s vocal performances are, as usual, unparalleled and they always work for me. The music is perhaps less Prog oriented that the earlier solo and Kingdom Come material, but still is definitely worth listening to, especially if Brown´s enchanting voice and his unique dramatics are your cup of tea. A must to all Arthur Brown Fans!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARTHUR BROWN ~ RADIO SESSIONS 1968 / 1972 / 1975
GONZO 299 (Barcode: 5060230865775) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1968 - 1975 Released: 2016
This is an archival release that presents radio sessions recorded by the British Rock vocalist / composer Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and his various groups. The first five tracks recorded in 1968 are by The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist, the next four tracks recorded in 1971 and 1972 are by his group Kingdom ComeFind albums by this artist and the last five tracks recorded in 1975 are credited only to his name. The booklet gives no information about the sources of the recordings, most of which were obviously done by the BBC. Judging by the sound quality of the tracks they are all home recording of BBC broadcasts rather than the original radio recordings. Most of the material consists of original songs by Brown.
The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown tracks are of course live replicas of the tracks from the debut album, brilliantly performed by organist Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist, bassist Nick GreenwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist and the charismatic vocals by Brown are absolute classics. These tracks were recently released on the Super Deluxe Edition reissue of the debut album.
The Kingdom Come tracks are superb Progressive Rock material originating from the group´s debut album "Galactic Zoo DossierFind albums with this title" and their third album "JourneyFind albums with this title", which puts a big question mark on the given dates of the recording as the third album was only released in 1973. These tracks were probably recorded in 1973 and released unofficially before.
The last batch of tracks was recorded when Brown released his solo album "Dance" and presents him performing Pop / Rock material, but with his usual twist, brilliant vocal delivery and excellent instrumental backup, which includes saxophonist George KhanFind albums by this artist and other great players. As far as I could find out, these tracks are previously unreleased.
Overall this is a mixed bag, pretty sloppily put together and suffering from pretty bad sound quality at times on one hand, but offering some brilliant music on the other hand. Approach with caution, but don´t ignore if you are a fan of Arthur Brown!
| | Updated: 30/09/2019Posted: 30/09/2019 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARTHUR BROWN ~ THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN (50TH ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE EDITION)
CHERRY RED AMERICA 001 (Barcode: 760137187219) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1965 - 1968 Released: 2018
This is a Box Set reissue, marking the 50th Anniversary of the release of one of the greatest Rock albums of all times, the debut release by the British vocalist / songwriter Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and his group called The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist, which included organist / composer / arranger Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist, bassist Sean GreenwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist. The Box Set includes the original LP (stereo mix) and 3 CDs, as follows:
CD1 presents the stereo mix version of the original album (eleven tracks) and seven bonus tracks originating from A and B sides of singles, which are mostly non-album tracks, except for two versions of “Fire”.
CD2 presents the mono mix version of the original album (eleven tracks) and nine bonus tracks, which are alternate versions or alternate mixes.
CD3 presents live radio broadcasts, six from BBC sessions and four from other radio sources, as well as four early recordings from 1965-1966.
The music was all original and composed by Crane, who also wrote the orchestral arrangements, and Brown contributed the lyrics, except for two covers, which were brilliantly arranged to fit the sound and concept of the album. Side A of the original album was a six-part continuous suite.
In retrospect, this album was a milestone of British Rock / Psychedelia and to some degree also early Jazz-Rock Fusion. Crane’s brilliant compositions and arrangements, which are soaked in Jazzy undercurrents and Brown’s theatrical, almost operatic vocals are absolutely unprecedented and pioneering in their sheer chutzpa of discarding stylistic limitations, norms and conventions.
Despite the fact that the album was rather poorly recorded (the mono mixes are superior IMHO), which no remaster can revive or restore, the originality, energy and pure Genius of the music keeps it alive and kicking and fifty-five years later it remains completely unblemished. Brown continues to make brilliant music to this very day, but sadly remains underappreciated and his Art has a limited exposure, which is a crying shame.
The premature death of Crane in 1989 robbed the world of one of the greatest organists and composers in Rock, and similarly the death of Theaker in 1992 took away a highly imaginative and original drummer.
Overall, this is a superb tribute to one of the greatest Rock albums of all time, which lost nothing of its originality and sheer imaginative artistry in the span of the fifty-five years since it was released. It is a unique, one-time phenomenon in music, which should be celebrated by music lovers the world over, although Brown continues to make brilliant music to this very day, sadly not able to reach a wide audience he truly deserves. A timeless classic!
| | Updated: 11/03/2023Posted: 11/03/2023 | 3CD+LP 4 Box Set Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARTHUR BROWN ~ THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN (DELUXE EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2178 (Barcode: 5013929727823) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2010
Only album by one of Britain´s most eclectic and often misunderstood recording artist, singer Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and his first outfit appropriately called The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist, which to this day remains as one of the greatest early Prog / Psychedelic albums ever recorded. The group was basically a trio and included the brilliant organist Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist and drummer Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist, Bassist Sean NicholasFind albums by this artist was used during the recording of the album, which also included brilliant orchestral arrangements done by Crane. One of the tracks of the album called "Fire" was released as a single and achieved an unexpected chart success both in UK and USA, bringing Brown and his mates a brief stardom status, but the band fell apart shortly after the album was recorded, sadly never realizing its full potential, which was truly amazing. Dominated by Brown´s frantic, but beautifully dramatic and virtuosic vocal delivery and Crane´s superb organ playing, based on Jazz influenced improvisations, the band sounded unlike no other band at the time. The music, written mostly by Crane with the exception of a couple Rock classics, is absolutely astounding and fits Brown´s lyrics perfectly. Brown´s delivery is theatrical and manic at times, but always sensitive and of outstanding quality. The album is a relic of the era and an absolutely essential listening experience. This deluxe edition adds a plethora of bonus tracks, many previously never released on record. An absolute masterpiece!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARTHUR BROWN / KINGDOM COME ~ GALACTIC ZOO DOSSIER (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2179 (Barcode: 5013929727922) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2010
1st album by brilliant British Prog band Kingdom ComeFind albums by this artist led by singer Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist. Following the collapse of The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist (soon after drummer Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist was fired and replaced for a brief time by Carl PalmerFind albums by this artist, who together with Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist left the band to start the great Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist) Brown started to put together his new band. Eventually he was joined by guitarist Andrew DalbyFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Julian BrownFind albums by this artist and Michael HarrisFind albums by this artist, bassist Desmond FisherFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin SteerFind albums by this artist, creating a superb outfit capable of playing outstanding music. Combining elements of Art-Rock, Prog, Psychedelia, Avant-Garde, Jazz and even Classical, this was music eons ahead of its time. This music is revolutionary and outrageous, intelligent and funny, full of complex compositions with frequent rhythm shifts and multi-melodic themes; in short dazzling every step of the way. Brown´s unique vocal delivery adds another dimension to the already multifaceted package. Sadly the music was not appreciated at the time of its release and only decades later discovered as a true gem, as rightly deserved. Brilliant stuff and a must for every Prog fan!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | RORY GALLAGHER ~ RORY GALLAGHER (50TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION SUPER DELUXE BOXED SET)
POLYDOR 602435443126 (Barcode: 602435443126) ~ IRELAND ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2021
This is the expanded reissue / remix of the debut solo album by Irish Rock / Blues-Rock vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Rory GallagherFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with bassist Gerry McAvoyFind albums by this artist and drummer Wilgar CampbellFind albums by this artist. Pianist Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. The album was released originally in 1971 and presented ten tracks, all written by Gallagher. This Box Set in expanded to include 4 CDs and a DVD, and is lavishly packaged, including a 32-page book.
CD1 presents the 2021 remix / remaster of the original album with ten tracks.
CD2 and CD3 present twenty-five alternate takes and four demos.
CD4 presents ten tracks recorded live at BBC in 1971.
DVD presents ten tracks filmed at the Olympia in Paris on April 30, 1971.
In retrospect Gallagher is remembered as one of the most original and remarkably talented guitarist, soaked in the Blues tradition but completely unique stylistically. Following the collapse of the group Taste, led by Gallagher between 1966 and 1970, he started an impressive solo career, which was cut short by his tragically premature death in 1995.
Overall, this is a great tribute to the greatly talented guitarist, which expands the legacy of his early solo career, together with the similar Box Set of his second solo album. For guitar lovers and especially Blues-Rock enthusiasts, this is a true gem, which deserves an honorable place in every serious music collection covering the Golden Decade.
| | Updated: 16/04/2024Posted: 16/04/2024 | 4CD+DVD 5 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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