Record Reviews
15 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ DEVIL`S ANSWER
HUX 005 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Great recordings of this important group at the BBC from 1970-1972. The whaling Hammond organ of Vincent Crane and great drumming by Carl Palmer are the basis of an an explosive music, which sounds today as good as it did then.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ HEADLINE NEWS
BLUEPRINT 171 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
The last Atomic Rooster album from 1983 featuring the founding member Vincent Crane before his untimely death. Dave Gilmour (of Pink Floyd fame) plays guitar on this one which should make it even more interesting. A solid selection of good tunes and great playing as always.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ IN HEARING OF (DELUXE EDITION)
CASTLE 926 (Barcode: 5050159192625) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
3rd album from 1971, and the last of the first period of the band. Similar to the previous albums, with more great compositions and the dominating organ sound of Vincent Crane. In retrospect this sounds even better and fresher now then it did at the time of its release. A true classic of the genre, as are the two previous ones.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ MADE IN ENGLAND
REPERTOIRE 4165 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
4th album from 1972, marking the beginning of the second period of the band when the powerful blues and rock singer Chris Farlowe (from Colosseum) joined their ranks. Stylistically they are still very strongly Prog influenced but the singer`s dominance takes them more toward straight-forward rock. Still a very strong release and a formidable example of how it all sounded then.
| | | CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ NICE `N` GREASY (DELUXE EDITION)
CASTLE 1004 (Barcode: 5050749410047) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
5th and last album from 1973. It marks even further change in the band`s musical direction moving away from the heavy / Prog style, which dominated the first 3 releases, towards more funk / soul. Chris Farlowe`s vocal talents were of course well suited for this music. Many Crane`s followeres were quite disappointed by this new direction, but in retrospect this is still quite a well done album featuring extremely talented musicians. A great walk down the memory lane.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 / 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 |
  | CZAR ~ CZAR
SUNBEAM 5040 (Barcode: 5051125504015) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2007
Only album by British group CzarFind albums by this artist, which consisted of Bob HodgesFind albums by this artist (keyboards & vocals), Mick WareFind albums by this artist (guitar & vocals), Paul KendrickFind albums by this artist (bass & vocals and the band’s main composer) and Derrick GoughFind albums by this artist (drums). They played great proto-Prog material, based on the extensive use of Hammond organ and mellotron and heavy lead guitar, as did many of their contemporaries. The lengthy tracks leave plenty of space for solos by the lead instruments and their 3-way vocal harmonies are pretty unique. Stylistically the group’ material is similar to early Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist and especially NiceFind albums by this artist, due to their use of adaptations of Classical Music themes, which served as a basis for long instrumental tours de force. Unfortunately their rearrangement of Manuel de FallaFind albums by this artist’s “Ritual Fire Dance”, which was their most ambitious piece, was omitted form the original LP release, only to be corrected with it being included as one of the bonus tracks on this reissue. The original LP earned a legendary status over the years and became a rare collector’s item, now back in circulation. Lovers of the late 1960s early British Prog will have a field day with this album, which lost none of its charm over the years.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | CHRIS FARLOWE ~ FROM HERE TO MAMA ROSA
REPERTOIRE 1331 (Barcode: 4009910133125) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the fourth album by the seminal British vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, one of the most distinctive voices of the British Isles´ musical history. His career started in the early 1960s and he was at the epicenter of the British Rhythm And Blues explosion with his group The ThunderbirdsFind albums by this artist. He was considered as one of the top three acts of the era, together with Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist and Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and the Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. Farlowe recorded no less than three albums in 1966, all excellent examples of the Blues and Rhythm And Blues. In time The Thunderbirds morphed into The HillFind albums by this artist, the group that accompanies Farlowe on this album, which included guitarist Steve HammondFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Peter RobinsonFind albums by this artist, cellist Paul BuckmasterFind albums by this artist, bassist Bruce WaddellFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin DavyFind albums by this artist. The original album presented nine tracks, all but one composed by Waddell or co-composed by him. This reissue adds three bonus tracks.
Musically this album is very different from Farlowe´s earlier Rhythm And Blues recordings and it has a distinctive Progressive Rock flavor, which is hardly surprising considering that soon after the recording of this album Farlowe was about to join the mighty ColosseumFind albums by this artist and later also Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist, two of the most important representatives of the British Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion.
The album presents excellent tunes, all beautifully performed, with impressive instrumental soloing, as appropriate for the Prog idiom. Superb Hammond organ parts and of course cello, which was quite unusual in the Rock setting.
In retrospect this is one of those rare gems that almost completely slipped under the radar of the Prog fans over the tears, which can be rectified with this reissue of course. As for Farlowe, some listeners seem to be allergic to his unique vocal capabilities and theatrics, but personally he was always one of my favorite vocalists, with very few equals over the years.
This is definitely one of the best albums of his solo recording legacy, all of which are definitely worth checking out. It´s great to see this album back in circulation and hopefully it won´t be missed out by his many fans this time. This is a little known gem, which deserves to be heard!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 05/06/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | CHRIS FARLOWE ~ OUT OF THE BLUE / BORN AGAIN
MIG 00872 (Barcode: 885513008725) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1984 - 1985 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of two albums, his fifth and sixth studio recordings, by the British Blues-Rock vocalist extraordinaire Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist. These albums mark Farlowe´s return to the recording career after an absence that lasted a decade and a half. On both albums Farlowe is supported by a lineup consisting of highly professional musicians, which features guitarists Mo WithamFind albums by this artist and Phil PalmerFind albums by this artist and many other top players of the time. Each of the reissued albums is expanded with bonus tracks.
Despite his extensive career as a solo artist and lead vocalist for such legendary ensembles as Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist or ColosseumFind albums by this artist, Farlowe somehow never achieved the fame and glory he truly deserves. Many people, for reasons that are beyond me, don´t like the timbre of his voice, which I personally find simply irresistible. Farlowe arrived on the British scene in the early 1960s and his unique voice became immediately his trademark. He flirted with Pop and Rhythm And Blues, but his true vocation was always the Blues. Besides the fact that Farlowe was always a superb vocalist, he also displayed an unusual ability to interpret the songs, using instant vocal improvisation, a very rare ability among his peers. In retrospect he has always been one of my all time favorite Blues-Rock vocalists, alongside Paul Rodgers, and I feel frustrated that so few people are able to hear his greatness.
These two albums present a great collection of Blues-Rock oriented material and they have lost nothing of their charm since the time they were recorded. Sadly they were to become the only studio output by Farlowe during the 1980s, but of course he was to reemerge again in the 1990s and 2000s.
This album is an interesting document of an era, when music was already starting to disintegrate into corporate garbage and collective brainlessness. Lucky for us some people have not lost their wits yet. If you missed this stuff at the time, now is the time to repent!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 25/04/2016 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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