Record Reviews
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  | MAY BLITZ ~ MAY BLITZ / THE 2ND OF MAY
BGO 153 (Barcode: 5017261201539) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 1992
1st and 2nd albums by UK trio May BlitzFind albums by this artist, led by drummer Tony NewmanFind albums by this artist with singer / guitarist James BlackFind albums by this artist and bassist Reid HudsonFind albums by this artist, which appeared briefly on the scene in the early 1970s and disappeared without a trace after releasing these two albums. The albums are remembered chiefly for the fact that both were released on the legendary VertigoFind albums on this label label and in time became highly sought after collector´s items, but the music is also quite excellent, with many proto-Prog elements and early Heavy Rock characteristics, good songwriting (all original material) and solid instrumental work. In fact it is rather surprising, in retrospect, that the group did not become a popular act, as they have all the potential to do so, continuing the "power trio" tradition of CreamFind albums by this artist and many other vastly more successful groups. Of the three group´s members, Newman (who was already a veteran and previously member of the Sounds IncorporatedFind albums by this artist and Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist´s group, continued to reappear on the many recordings made throughout the 1970s. The other two simply vanished from the scene. In retrospect, these two albums are still very much worth investigating, especially for early Prog fans.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLOSSEUM ~ THE GRASS IS GREENER (EXPANDED EDITION)
TALKING ELEPHANT 181 (Barcode: 5028479018123) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2011
"The Grass Is GreenerFind albums with this title" was the second US release by the superb British band ColosseumFind albums by this artist. Founded in 1968 by drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, Colosseum was one of the most important and innovative bands active in the UK in the late 1960s / early 1970s. It combined virtuosic performances and imaginative musical writing way ahead of its time; crossing genres elegantly and skillfully, amalgamating Blues, Jazz and Rock in a way no other band had previously attempted and very few others ever managed to do in the years that followed.
This particular album by Colosseum is however especially interesting as far as record collectors and fans of the band are concerned, since it reflects a widely-spread phenomenon, which characterized the record industry at the time. As a result of the "British Invasion", spearheaded by the Beatles and other UK bands in the mid-1960s, the US record market was swamped by UK releases on a regular basis. However, the US record labels often took the liberty to change the UK albums selected to be released in the USA. These changes could involve an alternate cover art and liner notes, a different track order, a different selection of tracks and up to creating new and completely "virtual" albums, which never existed originally, by combining tracks from two or more previously released albums, sometimes even with previously unreleased material.
This album is a great example of the above, as it embodies all of the above methods and as a result becomes a true nightmare for collectors and fans, especially the completists among them. Before "The Grass Is Greener" was released in the US on the DunhillFind albums on this label label, the label already released the band´s debut album "Those Who Are About To Die Salute YouFind albums with this title" in US, but that release was also completely different from the original UK release and in fact included about half of material from the "Valentyne SuiteFind albums with this title" album, before that album was released in the UK a few months later as the first release on the new VertigoFind albums on this label label – the legendary home of Progressive Rock and Art Rock for years to come. Therefore, by the time Dunhill was planning the release of the second US Colosseum album; including the "Valentyne Suite" in its entirety was obviously out of the question, since so much of the album´s material had already been used on the debut US release. So the label decided to use the remaining three tracks from "Valentine Suite" and asked for some new, previously unreleased material, which the band recorded in two separate sessions late 1969 and early 1970 (after Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist joined the band, replacing James LitherlandFind albums by this artist). These five new tracks, released only in US on the "The Grass Is Greener" album have made it a much sought after collectors´ item ever since.
Those interested in further pursuing these tracks should note, that four of them: "Bolero", "The Grass Is Greener" (which is an alternate version of the 3rd part of "Valentyne Suite"), "Jumping Off The Sun" (with an overdubbed vocals by Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist) and "Rope Ladder To The Moon" were released in UK in 1971 on the Bronze compilation album "The Collectors Colosseum" (ILPS 9173), which also included an unreleased track from the debut album entitled "I Can´t Live Without You". As for "Lost Angeles", one would have to wait another 33 years, until the 2004 release of the "Valentyne Suite" 2CD expanded edition on SanctuaryFind albums on this label (SMEDD 097) or further 2 years after that for the digipak CD version of that album (SMBCD 386). Both these editions include another lost "Valentyne Suite" era track: "Arthur´s Moustache", which had remained unreleased up to that time.
And of course Colosseum is still very much alive. After reuniting in 1994, they continued touring and recording right up to the present day but that is a completely different tale. However, if you can get to hear them play, don´t miss the opportunity to enjoy one of the best bands that ever existed on this planet.
Side Note
The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork.
I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years.
The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.
| | Updated: 26/08/2020Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | GENTLE GIANT ~ GENTLE GIANT
VERTIGO 842624 (Barcode: 042284262422) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 1990
1st album by the seminal UK Prog group Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist. Shockingly daring, advanced and complex debut album, which marked the group af future forerunners of the Progressive genre. Mixing elements of classical, jazz and hard rock and spiced with humor and quirky rhythms, this was far beyond anything happening on the scene. An absolute classic!
Visitors' Comments
Dr. Rafael Augusto Lara Palmeros
Debut album by one of the most impressive, extraordinary and eclectic bands in the Prog Rock History. Gentle Giant was known for the complexity and sophistication of its music and for the varied musical skills of its members, all of them, except the first two drummers, were multi-instrumentalists. The Shulman Brothers (Derek, Ray and Phil), Kenny Minnear, Gary Green and Martin Smith with additional musicians (Paul Cosh, tenor horn on ´ Giant´ and Calire Deniz, cello on ´Isn´t it quiet and cold´) were a great ensamble. The band´s music was considered complex even by progressive rock standards, drawing on a broad swathe of music incluiding Folk, Jazz, Bluez, Classical Music, Baroque, Mediaeval Music, Modernist Chamber Music elements. In this work, we found multi-part vocal harmonies, complex lyrics, frequente changes in tempo, frequent use of syncopation and polymeters, use of complex melodies, frequently contrasting harmonies with dissonance, extreme use of instrumental and vocal counterpoint, use of clssical and mediaeval instrumentation, use of musical structures typically associated with Classical Music (madrigal, fuga, etc, etc) and the consistent use of stated exchanged and recapitulated muscial themes exchangend between instruments.´Giant´,´ Alucard´,´Nothing to all´,´Funny ways´, ´Why not?´, are excelent tracks of this extraordinary albumn. Essential !!!!. 5 stars.
| | | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | GENTLE GIANT ~ OCTOPUS
VERTIGO 842694 (Barcode: 042284269421) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 1990
4th album. In many ways this was the peak of Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist`s career and artistic development. This album includes some of their most brilliant compositions, like `Knots` and the playing is mature and perfected. In retrospect this album definitely belongs to the `canon` of Prog and still is a major source of inspiration to both musicians and fans.
| | | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | GENTLE GIANT ~ ACQUIRING THE TASTE
VERTIGO 842917 (Barcode: 042284291729) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 1990
2nd album. Following the stunning debut album, this one stretches the ideas even further, with everything between Hard Rock and Gregorian Chants fused into an amazing amalgam unique to this band. Elegant and sophisticated, humorous and deep, this is an unmatched musical gem. which inspired generations of Proggers. No Prog collection should be without this album.
| | | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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