Record Reviews
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  | BLIND FAITH ~ LIVE IN LOS ANGELES
LONDON CALLING 5056 (Barcode: 5053792505616) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2020
The British supergroup Blind FaithFind albums by this artist existed briefly for just a few months in 1969, but remains an icon of Classic Rock to this very day. Guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist (ex-CreamFind albums by this artist), vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (ex-TrafficFind albums by this artist) and bassist Rick GrechFind albums by this artist (ex-FamilyFind albums by this artist) recorded just one legendary album and then went on a short European tour followed by an American tour, and then disbanded.
This album is a new release of one of several bootlegs recorded during the a.m. tours, and is a bootleg of the bootlegs, as the cover work simply copes two earlier bootleg covers. The title is even more misleading, since Blind Faith never actually performed in Los Angeles, and this album presents the material recorded during their Oakland performance and other material, which of course was previously released.
But bootlegging apart, the music is of course fantastic, and even the sound quality is acceptable, considering the circumstances. Clapton’s lengthy guitar solos are a reminder of the Cream days, Winwood’s heartwrenching vocals and excellent keyboards playing are just right on, Baker is an unstoppable drumming machine and Grech, although low in the mix, is supporting amicably. In short there is everything a hardcore guitar freaks and Classic Rock addicts really love.
Overall, although there is nothing new here, if you don’t have an earlier copy of this bootleg, it is an essential piece of music history.
Side Note
Obiterdictum Ltd, a company based in Cyprus (oh well you know the story… copyright laws and legal issues) releases mostly live recorded radio broadcasts from the 1960s on and offers an amazing source of music which was never officially released by some of the best Classic Rock and Jazz artists. The catalogue offers five hundred releases, which is an absolute treasure chest of music history, often appearing for the first time.
Although the sound quality and sometimes also music quality range from absolutely brilliant to pretty poor, most of the material is surely listenable, especially after being remastered recently, and more importantly offers music which is not available elsewhere.
The company releases the albums under several sub-labels: Air CutsFind albums on this label, EchoesFind albums on this label, Hi HatFind albums on this label, HotspurFind albums on this label, InterferenceFind albums on this label, KeyholeFind albums on this label, KlondikeFind albums on this label, Live On VinylFind albums on this label, London CallingFind albums on this label, OrbitFind albums on this label, Rox VoxFind albums on this label and Sound StageFind albums on this label. There is no ironclad logic as to what material appears on which label, except perhaps some internal considerations by the Obiterdictum owners.
Approach with caution, but keep in mind that some of these releases are absolutely brilliant!
| | Updated: 04/04/2021Posted: 04/04/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLIND FAITH ~ LONDON HYDE PARK 1969
SANCTUARY 0090 (Barcode: 5050749500908) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005
Captured live in front of 100,000 (or more) people gathered in London’s Hyde Park, here is the world’s first “super group”, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist, playing their debut gig on June 7th, 1969. Surely a momentous occasion and a premiere piece of Rock’s history, this footage is seen here for the first time in its entirety. The group existed for just a very brief period of time and left as its legacy just one eponymous album, but its historical importance stretches way beyond that. Blind Faith was a proof that greatly talented musicians can work together, in spite of their different backgrounds and experiences, creating momentous music. The “super group” phenomenon would become ever so popular in the 1970s, but the pioneering effort that was Blind Faith would forever stay in our collective memory as one of Rock’s giant steps. The collective talents of guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, bassist Rick GrechFind albums by this artist and drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist represented the formative years and experiences of British Rock in the 1960s. They played in some of the most important bands of the 1960s: Spencer Davis GroupFind albums by this artist, Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist, TrafficFind albums by this artist and FamilyFind albums by this artist – all icons and remarkable Rock achievers. The music they created together in Blind Faith is (especially in retrospect) quite surprising and different that anything done before. Anticlimactic and relaxed, it allowed them to take a much-deserved break from the emotional (and physical) extremities they all experienced with their former groups. The change is most evident and personalized by Clapton, who left behind the high-volume, heavy, fuzz saturated guitar style he used with Cream and dramatically changed it into a subdued, relaxed and laid-back guitar playing, which was to be his new “thing”, as evident on his recordings from that moment on. He was still one of the best players around, but simply not trying to prove it any more. Winwood’s vocals, dramatic and soulful as always, were of course the group’s trademark and here he reached maturity (in spite of his young age) for the first time. Baker’s drumming is inventive, as always, but again the relaxed atmosphere allows for his incredibly melodic playing to he really heard. Grech is solid and supportive all the way, with his elegance and sensibility at their best. But of course not everything is perfect here – the gig was played in the midst of the recordings for the album and the material is obviously still being in the “working” phase, with charming imperfection and numerous glitches. Nevertheless it does work charmingly and listening to this stuff almost 40 years later still gives me the shivers. What a teat! Dolby Digital Stereo Sound, 73 minutes.
| | | DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SPENCER DAVIS ~ SO FAR
EVANGELINE 4123 (Barcode: 805772412323) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2008
This is a solo album by the Welsh vocalist / multi-instrumentalist / bandleader Spencer DavisFind albums by this artist, famous for founding and leading one of the greatest British Pop / Rock groups during the Golden Decade, The Spencer Davis GroupFind albums by this artist, which also included in its original lineup the young (15 years old) Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, who later left the group to form the celebrated group TrafficFind albums by this artist. Davis led many incarnations of the Spencer Davis Group over the years, but this is (so far) his last recording.
The album features thirteen original songs, most of which were co-written by Davis and the band members. All the songs are excellent and have a strong nostalgic tinge which makes them sound as if they were recorded way back in the good old 1960s / 1970s. Stylistically the music moves between British Folk, Blues, Rhythm And Blues and Rock and there is not a dull moment on this album from start to finish. The accompanying band consists of seasoned instrumentalists and they do a great job playing these songs as if there´s no tomorrow.
It is hard to guess if this is indeed the very last album by Davis, but if so it certainly is a great way to say goodbye to the numerous fans after over five decades of playing music. People who like the British Classic Rock sound will find here an album they can easily identify with. They don´t make music like that today anymore, or they do it very rarely, like in this case. Strongly recommended!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 03/04/2016 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRAFFIC ~ JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE
ISLAND 546499 (Barcode: 731454649926) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 1999
4th album by TrafficFind albums by this artist. Another brilliant acheivment by Winwood and his friends. The title track is a traditional tune, which was recorded by many UK groups, but this is probably the finest of them all. The group is at their peak here and all the members contribute memorable moments.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRAFFIC ~ JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE (DELUXE EDITION)
ISLAND 533241 (Barcode: 0600753324110) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2011
What started as a solo project by singer / keyboardist / guitarist / composer Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, following the demise of the short-lived supergroup Blind FaithFind albums by this artist, eventually led to the reunion of the legendary TrafficFind albums by this artist, when saxophonist / flautist Chris WoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim CapaldiFind albums by this artist joined Winwood in the studio to record this masterpiece, which was the 4th Traffic album. Stronger and more consistent than the previous recordings made by the group, which were experimental and daring but lacked stylistic unity, this album was relaxed and perfectly executed, with a beautiful and well balanced mixture of styles and influences, from British Folk to Progressive Rock. Four decades later this music still sounds divine and absolutely stunning and with the newly remastered sound is a true gem and an absolute classic. This new edition also adds a whole CD of previously unreleased material, which includes alternate mixes and a live Traffic performance captured at The Fillmore East. Essential stuff!
| | | CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRAFFIC ~ MR. FANTASY
ISLAND 546496 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
1st album from 1967 by this seminal group, one of the first to combine elements of rock, jazz and psychedelia to create the new genre of Prog. Traffic members were excellent musicians and great composers and this album still stands today as a pillar of modern popular music. The remastered edition adds a multitude of bonus tracks, including early singles not present on the original release.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRAFFIC ~ THE LAST GREAT TRAFFIC JAM
EPIC 673460 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
This is one of the best DVDs I have ever seen. It is a document of the 1994 Traffic reunion US tour (75 gigs), with two original Traffic members: Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi supported by four younger, but extremely skilful musicians (and legendary guitarist Jerry Garcia on one track). They play all the classic Traffic material, but rather than trying to imitate the sound from the past they carefully re-arranged it for the 1990’s, still keeping the original charm. The music is of course heavenly; both veterans are in very good shape and perform brilliantly. The DVD is well edited, with short behind-the-scene inserts and great camera work on stage. In short: absolutely lovely. I wish more DVD material was of this quality and class. The DVD also includes a bonus CD EP with some studio material recorded while on tour. Watching this actually made me think that this is one of the very few tours I regret missing.
| | | DVD+CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRAFFIC ~ TRAFFIC (EXPANDED EDITION)
ISLAND 546498 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1968
2nd album by the seminal UK band TrafficFind albums by this artist, which many consider as one of the most innovative pioneers of the psychedelic and then the Prog movements. The group suffered from personal problems with Dave MasonFind albums by this artist leaving and re-joining (sounds familiar in Prog!) but the album finds them in the peak of their creative abilities. Pure gold!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | WALRUS ~ WALRUS
ESOTERIC 2071 (Barcode: 5013929717121) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2008
Only album by British Jazz-Rock octet WalrusFind albums by this artist, which was one of the first full-blown British Jazz-Rock ensembles modeled after the American counterparts like Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist and ChicagoFind albums by this artist. Although not as sophisticated as IfFind albums by this artist, the other British ensemble following the same path, Walrus was nevertheless quite excellent as well and it is a great pity they didn´t manage to record more albums. Formed by bassist Steve HawthornFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the bulk of their material, the band was fronted by vocalist Noel GreenawayFind albums by this artist and included guitarist John ScatesFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Barry ParfittFind albums by this artist and drummer Nick GabbFind albums by this artist (or Roger HarrisonFind albums by this artist) as well as a brass section with trumpeter Don RichardsFind albums by this artist (who was also in charge of the brass arrangements), and two saxophonists Roy VoceFind albums by this artist and Bill HoadFind albums by this artist. The music is all original except one track, which is a great cover of a TrafficFind albums by this artist song, and is all very interesting. In retrospect this is a true gem, which should have done much better than it did at the time and it´s a great pleasure to have it back in circulation. Considering the fact that Brass-Rock was relatively rare, this album is a must to every fan of early Jazz-Rock Fusion!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ GO
ESOTERIC 2081 (Barcode: 5013929718128) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008
Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist settled in England in 1972, after studying music in his native country and later in the USA. He worked mainly as a composer for theatre music, but his signing as a recording artist for the Island label brought his work to the attention of a wide audience following the release of this seminal album – a super project in every sense. "GoFind albums with this title" is a large scale suite, combining many musical elements, from Classical to Jazz, World Music and Rock. For the recording of this project the composer created a true super group, consisting of some of the best musicians on the scene, including British vocalist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (TrafficFind albums by this artist, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist), American drummer Michael ShrieveFind albums by this artist (SantanaFind albums by this artist) and guitarist Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist (Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist), German keyboardist Klaus SchulzeFind albums by this artist (Tangerine DreamFind albums by this artist) and many others. The orchestral arrangements were written by the wonderful Paul BuckmasterFind albums by this artist. The album is full of brilliant musicianship and the music majestic and mystical, flows serenely engulfing the listener into a trance-like state. In retrospect the entire work is a proud precursor of New Age music, which would erupt on the scene two decades later, but at the time it was innovative and quite daring in its scope, which cased it to be embraced by the Prog fans. Although the album was very successful at the time, it was unavailable on CD for many years and this new remastered edition is a most welcome dream-come-true to many Prog fans.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ GO… LIVE FROM PARIS
ESOTERIC 2086 (Barcode: 5013929718623) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008
Following the studio recording of the epic work "GoFind albums with this title" by the Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist, the same cast of musicians embarked on a tour, performing the music live. The Paris performance was captured on tape and later released as a double LP, released here on single CD. The cast is a true super group, consisting of some of the best musicians on the scene, including British vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (TrafficFind albums by this artist, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist), American drummer Michael ShrieveFind albums by this artist (SantanaFind albums by this artist) and guitarist Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist (Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist), German keyboardist Klaus SchulzeFind albums by this artist (Tangerine DreamFind albums by this artist) and several other backing musicians. In many respects the live recording is by far superior to the studio version, easily explained by the lack of time limitations and other constrains present in the studio. The soloists (and especially Di Meola, whose playing is truly inspired and Winwood, whose vocals soared that night) can stretch almost at will and considering the strength of the participating musicians they always receive a sympathetic and masterly support. The orchestral arrangements being replaced by synthesizer work also take off some of the studio version rigidity. In short this is one hell of a concert, one of those once-in-a-lifetime special nights. If you like the studio version of "Go", this is a must, if you didn´t, you still might find this to be great after all. Definitely worth trying out!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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