Record Reviews
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  | DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH ~ BLUES AND BEYOND
BLUE STORM 004 (Barcode: 5050232500422) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001
This is the last album by British saxophonist / composer Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, recorded before his passing in 2004. The album, produced by Pete BrownFind albums by this artist, includes an incredible list of British musicians, who played with him during his career: guitarists Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, Peter GreenFind albums by this artist and Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, drummers Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist and Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and vocalists Rab McCulloughFind albums by this artist, Paul JonesFind albums by this artist, Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist. John MayallFind albums by this artist plays piano and several other musicians also take part in the proceedings. The album presents twelve tracks, most of which are originals by Heckstall-Smith and some are Blues standards.
As the list of names and the album’s title suggest, the album is dedicated to Blues and Blues-Rock material, which of course was always a part of Heckstall-Smith’s background in addition to his Jazz-Rock Fusion, Prog and Jazz activities.
The music is absolutely delightful, as expected, and the guests / friends invited to participate do not disappoint. The album is full of great tunes, brilliant guitar soli and evocative vocals, all within the Blues idiom, spiced with Heckstall-Smith’s idiosyncratic saxophone playing. Of course the album brings fond memories of his activities with Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and ColosseumFind albums by this artist, which were icons of the British scene for many years.
Overall, this is a brilliant and sadly little known album by one of the true heroes of the British Blues, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Jazz scenes. It certainly deserves to be heard and if anybody can find a copy of it, it is wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 03/02/2022Posted: 03/02/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | JUICY LUCY ~ LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT
ESOTERIC 2216 (Barcode: 5013929731646) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2010
2nd album by the incredible British Prog band Juicy LucyFind albums by this artist, formed around the US lap steel guitar player Glenn CampbellFind albums by this artist, resident in UK at the time. The second lineup of the group, which recorded this album, included also vocalist Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Chris MercerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Micky MoodyFind albums by this artist, bassist Keith EllisFind albums by this artist and drummer Rod CoombesFind albums by this artist. Heavily Blues based, the band expanded into Hard Rock, Psychedelia and early Prog, playing mostly original material and superb arrangements of standards. This album includes what is probably the best ever cover of Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist´s tune "Willie The Pimp", which is absolutely incredible. Campbell´s guitar work is simply stunning and miles above anything done at the time. Williams´ throaty vocals are superbly expressive, and all the other band members play incredibly well, turning this album into a timeless masterpiece. In many respects this album encapsulates everything that was great in music by the end of the 1960s: originality, innovation, guts and talent. Over 40 years after I heard this album for the first time it´s still one of my all-time favorites. Essential music for body and soul!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ THE DIARY OF A BAND (EXPANDED EDITION)
DECCA 841804 (Barcode: 602498418048) ~ UK ~ Blues
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2007
6th & 7th albums by John MayallFind albums by this artist and his BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, which were actually a double album released on two separate LPs as The Diary Of A Band Vol.1 & Vol.2 (as DeccaFind albums on this label thought that releasing a double album was too bold a step at the time). The material was recorded live during a European tour, which followed the release of CrusadeFind albums with this title and was captured on a simple reel to reel tape machine, which Mayall placed on the stage during all the concerts. Over 60 hours of music were recorded, of which two hours were selected for the release. The Bluesbreakers’ lineup was similar to that which recorded Crusade except for the new brass section man, the fantastic Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist on tenor and soprano sax (later ColosseumFind albums by this artist) and the bass position, which was occupied by either Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist or Keith TillmanFind albums by this artist. The enclosed music is a superb document of the era and one of the most authentic glimpses at the music scene of the late 1960s, as it includes some spoken word and commentary on the performances, caught right at the time when they happened. Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist plays some amazing guitar licks here, as does Dick Heckstall-Smith, especially when he blows both of his horns simultaneously. The entire album is one great trip down the nostalgia lane and the only pity is that all of it was never captured on video (which did not exist at the time unfortunately). I can’t imagine any blues fan not wanting this in his music library.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZOOT MONEY / BIG ROLL BAND ~ BIG TIME OPERATOR
REPERTOIRE 5343 (Barcode: 4009910534328) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1964 - 1968 Released: 2017
This is a wonderful Box Set collecting early recordings by British vocalist / organist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and his excellent ensemble called Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. Spread over 4 CDs, the material includes the two albums: "Zoot!Find albums with this title" (Recorded live at the Klook´s Kleek club and released in 1966) and "It Should`ve Been MeFind albums with this title" (The debut studio album released in 1965) and a plethora of additional material, which was recorded live at the Flamingo, as well as at the BBC. Also included are singles and other recordings made between 1964 and 1968, altogether ninety tracks spanning over five hours of music, worth their weight in gold. The band included such luminaries like saxophonists Nick NewallFind albums by this artist, Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and Clive BurrowsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist (later of PoliceFind albums by this artist fame), vocalist / bassist Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin AllenFind albums by this artist.
Although the music reflects the British Soul and Rhythm And Blues explosion of the mid 1960s, it also clearly reveals the seeds of early Jazz-Rock and the closely intertwined, cross-genre approach that characterized the British scene at the time. Many musicians felt as comfortable playing a Rhythm And Blues gig as they would playing a Blues or a straight ahead Jazz gig, displaying the same dexterity, knowhow and passion, regardless of the circumstances.
Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band replaced Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist as the house band at the Flamingo, and the similarities between these two excellent bands are striking; both led by a vocalist / organist, with similar throaty vocal quality, both featured brass sections and a famous (to be) guitarists (in the case of the Blue Flames it was no else than John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist). Most importantly both these ensembles were swinging like hell and had a strong Jazzy feel whatever they were doing.
In retrospect the music presented by the Box Set, although definitely "dated", still sounds absolutely fresh and inspiring. Yes, nobody plays like that anymore, and what a pity it is that they don´t. In spite of the seemingly naïve melodic structures, the music is full of clever hooks and twists, and the playing is simply superb from start to finish.
Beautifully remastered, accompanied by a book with background essays, interviews and many wonderful photographs, this Box Set is a treasure chest, like many similar compilations made by the German RepertoireFind albums on this label label, which specializes in reissues. I hope some younger listeners will reach out and give this music a listen, as it could be really enlightening, especially in view of what is considered as music today. To the people who remember this stuff from their youth, like yours truly, this is an absolute must and an invigorating reminder that music was fun a long, long time ago.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 24/05/2018 | CD 4 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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