Record Reviews
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  | MICK ABRAHAMS ~ AT LAST
BGO 671 (Barcode: 5017261206718) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2005
2nd album by UK guitarist Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist with the Mick Abrahams BandFind albums by this artist, which was expanded to a quintet for this album with the addition of Mick´s partner in Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist, reedman Jack LancasterFind albums by this artist. Lancaster´s return marked a change in the band´s overall sound, which was now quite similar to that of Blodwyn Pig, being more Jazz influenced as opposed to the last album being more Bluesy. The rest of the band´s lineup is identical to the one, which recorded the previous album. Lancaster is the main soloist on this recording, with Abrahams keeping a relatively low profile, but he did write most of the music here, with the rest written by keyboardist Bob SargeantFind albums by this artist. Altogether the album is another splendid effort by Abrahams and his team, with great compositions and splendid musicianship, which unfortunately didn´t help much to gain any popularity. Disillusioned by the music business, Abrahams quit the scene completely for two decades, reappearing only in the early 1990s with a new edition of the Mick Abrahams Band, which released several albums since. This is a must for all Blodwyn Pig / Abrahams fans and a splendid piece of British Jazz-Rock Fusion.
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICK ABRAHAMS ~ MICK ABRAHAMS
BGO 0095 (Barcode: 5017261200952) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 1992
1st album by British guitarist / vocalist Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist, one of the most underrated guitar players in the history as far as I´m concerned. Abrahams first achieved recognition as a founding member of Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, with the release of their debut album "This WasFind albums with this title", where he plays some incredible guitar licks, which earned him comparisons with "God" Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist.
A personality clash and musical differences between Abrahams and Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist led to his decision to leave Jethro Tull and form the brilliant Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist, one of the earliest and best Jazz-Rock / Blues Fusion bands ever. The original Blodwyn Pig lineup lasted just under two years and recorded two outstanding albums, breaking up prematurely.
Abrahams then formed the Mick Abrahams BandFind albums by this artist, which is featured on this album. In later years Abrahams was to reform Blodwyn Pig and record several more album with that group (from the 1990s on) as well as leading the Mick Abrahams Band. His amazing guitar playing is unfortunately only recognized by a relatively small circle of fans, although in retrospect his consistently excellent performances in the last five decades are quite unparalleled.
This album was recorded soon after the demise of the original Blodwyn Pig and features a great lineup of Mick on guitar, Bob SargeantFind albums by this artist on keyboards and guitar, Walt MonaghanFind albums by this artist on bass and Ritchie DharmaFind albums by this artist on drums. The material, all written by Abrahams, is a great example of Blues-Rock, the genre in which Abrahams feels most comfortable. The album lost nothing of its charm and beauty and is certainly worth of an honorable place in any serious record collection.
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLODWYN PIG ~ GETTING TO THIS
BGO 0081 (Barcode: 5017261200815) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000
2nd album by Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist. Very much in the same atmosphere as the debut album, with brilliant performances and great compositions. What a pity this group never acheived the greatness it so much deserved. Unfortunately this was to be the last album of the original group. Abrahams later continued to used the group`s name for his various projects.
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLODWYN PIG ~ LIVE AT THE LAFAYETTE
INDIGO 2067 ~ UK ~ Blues
Blodwyn Pig were formed by Jethro Tull original guitarist Mick Abrahams after he left the group following the recording of their debut album. Mick wanted to stick with the blues and his new group was to be his vehicle just for that. Blodwyn Pig recorded two superb albums in the early 1970`s and then Mick kept the group alive up to this very date with various line-ups. This live recording from 1993 shows perfectly how great Mick`s guitar playing still is 20 years later. Former Jethro Tull drummer Clive Barker also plays here.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ THIS WAS
CHRYSALIS 535459 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1968
1st album by the seminal band Jethro TullFind albums by this artist. Although considered early effort and inferior in comparison with their later output, this albums still holds a lot of charm and beauty and is a must in any Prog collection. It includes the original guitar player Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist (who left after this album to form the excellent band Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist), whose blues feeling is second to none and influences the entire album.
Visitors' Comments
Dr. Rafael Augusto Lara Palmeros
Debut albumn by extraordinary quartet Jethro Tull,one of the most important outfits in Prog Rock History ever… Formed by Ian Anderson (flute, acoustic guitar, claghorn, mouth organ, lead vocals and lyrics), Mick Abrahams (electric , nine-string guitar and vocals), CliveBunker (drums and percussion), Glen Cornick (electric bass) and David Palmer as additional musician (french horn and orchestral arrangements), the group recorded a wonderful mixture of Jazz- Blues- Rock Fusion with Celtic Folk elements. ´Beggar´s farm´, ´My Sunday feeling´ and others are based in Blues progressions and quotes from two well-known Jazz tunes. ´Cat´s squirrell´ is a Blues instrumental covered by numerous Bitish Blues bands on 60´s. ´Serenade to Cockoo´ is a cover version of Roland Kirk´s Jazz standard. ´A song for Jeffrey´ is a tune for the old friend, Anderson´s childhood friend Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, and others very well played tunes. The albumn is an important cornerstone in British Progressive Rock History. On other hand, a deluxe 2- CD fortieth anniversary edition was released in 2008 with mono stereo version, remixes and additional bonus tracks. A must for Prog fan!!!!.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI ~ CHANGING TIMES AND MOVEMENTS
SVART 386 (Barcode: 6430077093980) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2021
This is a brilliant archival album by the pioneering Finnish Jazz-Rock Fusion / Progressive Rock group Tasavallan PresidenttiFind albums by this artist, which presents live recordings captured in Finland and Sweden in 1970 and 1971. The group was fronted by British vocalist / lyricist Frank RobsonFind albums by this artist and included saxophonist / flautist Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jukka TolonenFind albums by this artist, bassist Mans GroundstroemFind albums by this artist and drummer Vesa AaltonenFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents thirteen tracks recorded at three separate concerts. The music is all original, except for one song (repeated twice), from the debut album “Ahead Rings OutFind albums with this title” by the brilliant British band Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist.
Most of the material performed here was recorded for the groups second album “Tasavallan Presidentti (II)Find albums with this title” in August 1970, but was not released until spring of 1971, and therefore was yet unknown to the audiences. These live recordings, all of which offer brilliant sound quality, offer a completely new view of the legendary group, presenting them as improvisers and incredible soloists. Three of the tracks last between thirteen and seventeen minutes and are an orgy of Jazz-Rock Fusion extensive improvisation, mostly by Poyry and Tolonen (who was barely eighteen at the time).
This album is an invaluable addition to the Tasavallan Presidentti recorded legacy, especially since the group never released a live album, and is a perfect companion to the “Live In LambertlandFind albums with this title” archival album, also released earlier on Svart Records, who do an absolutely fabulous job with reissues of great Finnish music.
For European Jazz-Rock Fusion enthusiasts, this is an absolute must of course!
| | Updated: 28/07/2021Posted: 28/07/2021 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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