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  | BECK, BOGERT & APPICE ~ BECK, BOGERT & APPICE
REPERTOIRE 2330 (Barcode: 4009910233023) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2005
1st and only album by the Anglo-American super-group Beck, Bogert & AppiceFind albums by this artist, comprising of British guitar hero Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist and American rhythm section giants, bassist Tim BogertFind albums by this artist and drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist. This threesome suffered from bad karma even before it was actually formed: following the demise of the great American group Vanilla FudgeFind albums by this artist, founding members Bogart and Appice suggested to Beck, who just disbanded his own British band at the time, to join them in forming a next band together. Although Beck agreed, a nasty car crash took him out of circulation for a while and Bogart and Appice formed the splendid CactusFind albums by this artist instead. In 1972, when Cactus broke up as did The Jeff Beck Group, finally the missed earlier opportunity arose again, this time to be consummated.
Potentially the trio had everything one might hope for: a virtuoso guitar genius, superb bass player and one of the best Rock drummers, but all the talent didn´t prevent the band from falling victim to personality clashes between the trio members, leading to a breakdown before the band reached its second anniversary. They did manage however to record one album, which shows their potential in full (a second album was attempted, but never finalized).
Great guitar licks, tasty bass and driving drumming are the basic elements behind this recording, which also includes support from a bunch of musician friends. The music is mostly written by the trio, with some adaptations of tunes from other sources. The only drawback of the album is the absence of a strong lead vocalist, but it is nevertheless a true Classic Rock memento. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 11/11/2023Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | BECK, BOGERT & APPICE ~ LIVE IN JAPAN 1973 / LIVE IN LONDON 1974
RHINO 603497833252 (Barcode: 603497833252) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2023
This Box Set presents two live concerts by the British / American Rock supergroup / power trio Beck, Bogert & AppiceFind albums by this artist, comprising of British guitarist Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist and American rhythm section comprising of bassist Tim BogertFind albums by this artist and drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist, both members of the legendary groups Vanilla FudgeFind albums by this artist and CactusFind albums by this artist. The Box Set includes two 2CD sets, the first with the previously Japan only release of a live recording in Japan in 1973, and the second with the previously unreleased live concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London in 1974. The Box set is lavishly packaged and includes a hardcover book, tour book and a poster. The sound quality is absolutely sensational.
The short-lived trio recorded only one eponymous studio album and disbanded before the second album was completed. The material recorded for the second album remains unreleased. The trio was a classic example of the Rock supergroup phenomenon, which started with CreamFind albums by this artist and dominated the scene in the early 1970s. All three musicians where absolute masters of their trade and superb virtuosi, who continued to develop the Rock Improvisation idiom started by Cream. They co-wrote most of their original material, but included also new interpretations of songs originating from the outside of the group.
Despite their immense talents as instrumentalists, they lacked a lead singer of the scale of their instrumental powers and a composer, who would provide them with material, which would reflect their class, like Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, who filled both these functions in Cream. Nevertheless, they still remain as one of the most magnificent examples of Rock’s power trios and the material here is absolutely worth being revisited.
Overall, this is an essential piece of the Classic Rock puzzle, a sublime document of the Rock Improvisation idiom and obviously a great tribute to the legacy of these sublime musicians, two of which are sadly no longer with us. An absolutely essential part of any serious Classic Rock collection!
| | Updated: 11/11/2023Posted: 11/11/2023 | CD 4 Digibook Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | CACTUS ~ TEMPLE OF BLUES
CLEOPATRA 889466546327 (Barcode: 889466546327) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024
This is an album attributed to the legendary American Rock band CactusFind albums by this artist, but is in fact a tribute to the band. Although the drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist, Cactus founding member, plays on all the tracks and produced the album, Cactus guitarist Jim McCartyFind albums by this artist plays on a couple of tracks, and the songs are associated with Cactus repertoire, that’s all that connects this album to Cactus. Does it disturb me? Not one bit! A bunch of excellent American rockers participate on this album, like vocalist Jim StapleyFind albums by this artist, guitarists Joe BonamassaFind albums by this artist, Ted NugentFind albums by this artist, Pat TraversFind albums by this artist and Fernando PerdomoFind albums by this artist, and many others, playing their butts off and spiritually the music is definitely close to the Cactus spirit. The album presents fourteen tracks and one bonus track, which is an alternate version of one of the songs.
The music is loud and heavy, as appropriate for the occasion, the musicians can play and Stapley delivers excellent vocal parts, the familiar tunes sound, well… familiar and bring on fond memories. As far as I am concerned this album is a proper tribute, not just an attempt to “ride” on the band’s name / fame. This album will not replace any Cactus album in my collection (I have them all of course), but it can co-exist nicely on the shelf.
Overall, this is a great Blues-Rock album, which brings fond memories of the legendary Cactus, one of the greatest American Rock bands ever. On top of the great songs, there is plenty of superb guitar solos, strong vocals and the music simply kicks butt, much due to Appice’s superb drumming, which is still absolutely convincing. Love every minute of this!
| | Updated: 30/08/2024Posted: 30/08/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | LESLIE WEST ~ GOT BLOOZE
PROVOGUE 7155 (Barcode: 8712725715528) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005
Legendary guitarist Leslie WestFind albums by this artist is best known as the leader of MountainFind albums by this artist, America’s answer to the UK power trio CreamFind albums by this artist. Mountain recorded a series of excellent albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which were loud and powerful (often being quoted as one of the forefathers of Heavy Rock), but also quite sophisticated. West’s unique tone and approach to the guitar, heavily based in the blues tradition, stays to this very day as one of the icons of the formative years of electric guitar. A famous anecdote tells that if one places West in a room with another 99 guitar players, just one note played by him will be immediately recognizable. Since the mid-1970s West recorded sporadically, with none of the albums leaving any significant impact on the scene, but his 2000s output marks a revival of his powers. West returned to what he does best – playing the blues in his unique manner, which has but a few competitors. West formed an excellent group with two formidable blues / rock veterans: Tim BogertFind albums by this artist (Vanilla FudgeFind albums by this artist, CactusFind albums by this artist, Beck, Bogert & AppiceFind albums by this artist) – one of rock’s most respected bass players and Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist (John MayallFind albums by this artist, Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist) – one of blues-rock most respected drummers. Together they storm through a program, which includes many blues standards, but sounds fresh and vital like never before. West also pays tribute to his ex-partner Jack BruceFind albums by this artist by including his superb composition “Politician” on this album. For blues-rock fans this is an absolute must!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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