Record Reviews

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