Record Reviews

COLOSSEUM II ~ STRANGE NEW FLESH (EXPANDED EDITION) CASTLE 1188 (Barcode: 5050749411884) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2005 1st album by the second incarnation of ColosseumFind albums by this artist. After the original band disbanded in 1971, leader and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist formed TempestFind albums by this artist (which recorded two splendid albums) and in 1974 formed the new Colosseum with guitar hero Gary MooreFind albums by this artist. The new band had a much “harder” sound than the original band, but still played a mixture of Jazz-Rock, which by that time was already called Fusion. The band also included the excellent keyboards player Don AireyFind albums by this artist and bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist (GilgameshFind albums by this artist) as well as Mike StarrsFind albums by this artist on lead vocals. The combination of five first class musicians produced a band that could play anything between Fusion and Prog with ease and elegance, as this album proves. Although received coldly by the fans of the original Colosseum (probably due to the different sound and the fact that the strong presence of Blues elements was replaced with Rock elements), this is an excellent album in every respect and in retrospect surely deserves much more attention that it did originally. This beautiful new edition almost triples the playing time of the original album by an hour of studio material and a BBC live concert recorded in 1976, all previously unreleased. Highly recommended.

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

NATIONAL HEALTH ~ NATIONAL HEALTH ESOTERIC 2129 (Barcode: 5013929722927) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1977 Released: 2009 1st album by the exquisite band National HealthFind albums by this artist, which was the last of the great original bands and the centerpiece crown jewel of the Canterbury scene, as it combined all the elements that made this musical excursion so unique and important, crystallizing a decade of development and constant search for new forms of musical expression. Formed by keyboardist / composer Dave StewartFind albums by this artist, who previously led such cornerstone Canterbury ensembles like EggFind albums by this artist and Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist, combining musicians of the last and another sublime ensemble GilgameshFind albums by this artist, which also recently fell apart. After several personnel changes, the band stabilized as a quartet, including in addition to Stewart guitarist Phil MillerFind albums by this artist, bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist and drummer Pip PyleFind albums by this artist, all veterans and immensely gifted players. The album also includes guest contributions of other Canterbury luminaries, like Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (keyboards), Amanda ParsonsFind albums by this artist (vocals), Jimmy HastingsFind albums by this artist (flute) and others. Overall National Health was an ideal tool to deliver the intricate melodic content of Stewart´s compositions, spiced with lengthy jazzy improvisations, which could go on for several minutes and allow ample opportunity for the players to stretch out, probably more that in any earlier Canterbury ensemble. There is never a dull moment here, with ideas chasing ideas at all times and the listener is drawn into the music completely. This album is a timeless masterpiece and an essential cornerstone of any serious record collection!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

NATIONAL HEALTH ~ OF QUEUES AND CURES ESOTERIC 2130 (Barcode: 5013929723023) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009 2nd album by the exquisite band National HealthFind albums by this artist, which was the last of the great original bands and the centerpiece crown jewel of the Canterbury scene, as it combined all the elements that made this musical excursion so unique and important, crystallizing a decade of development and constant search for new forms of musical expression. Formed by keyboardist / composer Dave StewartFind albums by this artist, who previously led such cornerstone Canterbury ensembles like EggFind albums by this artist and Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist, combining musicians of the last and another sublime ensemble GilgameshFind albums by this artist, which also recently fell apart. After bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist left the band following the recording of the debut album, he was replaced by bassist John GreavesFind albums by this artist from Henry CowFind albums by this artist, another Canterbury icon. The album included several guest musicians, among them the superb trumpeter Phil MintonFind albums by this artist and overall it fallowed the same lines as the debut. Overall National Health was an ideal tool to deliver the intricate melodic content of Stewart´s compositions, spiced with lengthy jazzy improvisations, which could go on for several minutes and allow ample opportunity for the players to stretch out, probably more that in any earlier Canterbury ensemble. There is never a dull moment here, with ideas chasing ideas at all times and the listener is drawn into the music completely. This album is a timeless masterpiece and an essential cornerstone of any serious record collection!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ CELEBRATING JON LORD THE COMPOSER EAR MUSIC 4029759095590 (Barcode: 4029759095590) ~ UK ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is a live recording of a concert at The Royal Albert Hall held on April 4th, 2014, which commemorated the compositions of keyboardist / composer Jon LordFind albums by this artist, known primarily as a founding member of the seminal British Rock band Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, who sadly departed a couple of years earlier. Lord was a pioneer of the Rock-Classical Fusion and his "Concerto For Group And OrchestraFind albums with this title" album performed and recorded in 1969 by Deep Purple with the Royal Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist at The Royal Albert Hall was a first of its kind attempt to combine Rock and Classical Music on such scale. Over the years Lord composed a long list of orchestral works, which often bridged Rock and Classical Music and his works were always received enthusiastically by his many dedicated followers, including yours truly. Lord´s surprising and tragically premature death from cancer was a terrible blow to his many fans and fellow musicians, who respected him deeply. The album presents eight beautiful orchestral compositions by Lord, performed by the Orion OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Paul MannFind albums by this artist, who was a long time collaborator with Lord. Celebrated Rock musicians take part in the concert including: keyboardist Rick WakemanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Micky MoodyFind albums by this artist, bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist, pianist Nigel HopkinsFind albums by this artist, vocalist Steve BalsamoFind albums by this artist and many others. Actor Jeremy IronsFind albums by this artist recites poetry. The music is beautifully produced and performed with taste and panache, with the typical British restraint and elegance. The album achieves its goal in full, both plying respect to Jon Lord the composer and musician and presenting his sublime music in the best possible form, keeping the memory alive. Overall this is a superb piece of music, which should be appreciated by a wide circle of connoisseurs, both from the Rock and Classical Music spheres and all good music lovers around the world. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 13/09/2019Posted: 13/09/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

WHITESNAKE ~ LITTLE BOX `O` SNAKES PARLOPHONE 5099993483728 (Barcode: 5099993483728) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1978 - 1982 Released: 2013 This is a Box Set collecting remastered reissues of the initial EP “SnakebiteFind albums with this title” (1978) and first seven LP albums by the British Rock group WhitesnakeFind albums by this artist: “TroubleFind albums with this title” (1978), “Live At HammersmithFind albums with this title” (1978), “LovehunterFind albums with this title” (1979), “Ready An` WillingFind albums with this title” (1980), “Live… In The Heart Of The CityFind albums with this title” (1980), “Come An` Get ItFind albums with this title” (1981) and “Saints & SinnersFind albums with this title” (1982). The group was formed in 1978 by vocalist David CoverdaleFind albums by this artist, following his departure from the iconic British Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, of which he was the lead singer between 1973 and 1976, recording three albums with them: “BurnFind albums with this title” (1974), “StormbringerFind albums with this title” (1974) and “Come Taste The BandFind albums with this title” (1975). The initial lineup of the group included, in addition to Coverdale, two lead guitarists: Micky MoodyFind albums by this artist and Bernie MarsdenFind albums by this artist, bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist and drummer Dave DowleFind albums by this artist. By the time the first album was recorded Deep Purple keyboardist Jon LordFind albums by this artist joined the group. Later on another Deep Purple member, drummer Ian PaiceFind albums by this artist, also joined the group replacing Dowle. Whitesnake were one of the best British Rock bands of all times, characterized by great musicianship and superb songwriting. Somewhat similar to Deep Purple, they had more Blues influences and at times sounded remarkably like FreeFind albums by this artist. Overall, this Box Set is a remarkable treasure chest of superb British Classic Rock at its best, sounding better than ever and bringing back to life some albums that have been out of circulation for ages. Of course for Deep Purple fans the presence of Coverdale, Lord and Paice makes this Box Set completely irresistible. And Moody was always one of my favorite guitarists, with an incredible feel for the Blues. Loved every minute of it and I admit not hearing most of this music for the last four decades… tasty!

Updated: 04/06/2022Posted: 04/06/2022

CD 8 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend