Sunday, May 19, 2013

Curtis Knight Zeus - The Second Coming (1974 us, incredible heavy funky spinning rock, 2009 bonus track edition)



 Born Curtis McNear, 9 May 1929, Fort Scott, Kansas, USA, died 29 November 1999, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Having completed his national service, Knight settled in California where he hoped to pursue a career in music. He appeared in a low-budget movie, Pop Girl, before relocating to New York during the early 60s. Knight then recorded for several minor labels, but these releases have been eclipsed by the singer’s collaborations with Jimi Hendrix, who joined Curtis’ group, the Squires, in 1965.

Hendrix’s tenure there was brief, but the contract he signed with Knight’s manager, Ed Chalpin, had unfortunate repercussions, particularly as the guitarist ill-advisedly undertook another recording session in 1967. His spells with Knight yielded 61 songs, 26 studio and 35 live, which have since been the subject of numerous exploitative compilations. Although some of this material is, in isolation, worthwhile, such practices have undermined its value.

As Curtis Knight continued to pursue his career throughout the 60s using whatever musicians were available, he increasingly relied on his Hendrix association, and in 1974 published Jimi, ‘an intimate biography’. By this point Knight was based in London where he led a new group, Curtis Knight - Zeus. This band comprised Eddie Clarke (guitar; later in Motörhead), Nicky Hogarth (keyboards), John Weir (bass) and Chris Perry (drums).

They completed two albums, but only one was issued in the UK. The singer undertook a European tour and recorded an unremarkable album before returning to the USA. In the latter part of the decade Knight conceived the black punk rock band, Pure Hell. He continued to work with a variety of musicians while running his own limousine business. In 1992, Knight relocated to the Netherlands where he continued to record up to his death from cancer in November 1999. He had recently launched the Double Rainbow/Happy Dream label.

Knight cut a storming set of tunes which varies from the immediately attractive rocking title track, through the peaks and troughs of New Horizon, to the comparative restraint of The Confession. It’s hard to imagine any rock fan not finding something to enjoy here, with the quality of the playing and instantly memorable songs. Here and there Knight uses a female chorus to enhance certain tracks, while his overall production of the album is clear and engaging. One bonus, The Devil Made Me Do It, is added to the original, making this a highly recommended reissue for any Hendrix or general rock fan.
by Kingsley Abbott
Tracks
1. Zeus - 3:19
2. New Horizon - 4:00
3. Silver Queen - 6:15
4. Mysterious Lady - 2:47
5. Road Song - 4:38
6. People Places and Things - 2:55
7. Cloud (Eddie Clarke, Curtis Knight) - 8:27
8. Eyes of a Child - 2:47
9. The Confession (Eddie Clarke, Curtis Knight) - 5:54
10.Oh Rainbow - 2:47
11.The Devil Made Me Do It - 2:36

Musicians
*Curtis Knight - Guitar, Vocals
*John Weir - Bass
*Eddie Clarke - Guitar
*Nicky Hogarth - Keyboards
*Chris Perry - Percussion

1970  Curtis Knight - Down In The Village (2012 remaster)

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6 comments:

  1. I have their both LPs, the other album of Curtis Knight Zeus is "Sea Of Time" released the same year in 1974 on the Philips label (ref. 6305208, german press). In fact, half of the tracks of "Sea Of Time are the same than on "The Second Of Coming".

    Track listing of Sea of Time: The Devil Made Me Do It - New Horizon - Mysterious Lady - Pardon Me - Sea Of Time - Oh Rainbow - Peoples Places And Things - The Eyes Of A Child - Down The Village - Can You Spare Change - Waiting At The Crossroads.

    Both are recommended.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laurent,
      By any chance, do you have a version of Sea of Time in mp3 format? I don't dare asking you if you're willing to sell your lp ;-) I've been looking for this track forever... Thank you,
      Pauline

      Delete
  2. αυτο το ειχα mp3. Τσεκαρε το μειλ Μαριε!!
    panos

    ReplyDelete
  3. Completely forgotten, but a great album British band Zeus (the young Eddie Clark - then Motorhead - the guitar!) Conducted by the American singer Curtis Knight - known mainly from short (and very successful) collaboration with Hendrix (pre-Experience) contained mostly excellent, tasteful and almost archetypal Clark's guitar parts - and for them to want to have this CD! In addition, the album contains a lot of heavy and genuinely intriguing numbers (though not shied from rhythm'n'bluesowych inclusions) - sometimes only a distorted female backing vocals, and very successful input keys. There are a few longer pieces (9-minute Cloud is a revelation), so the board should strongly zainteresowć all lovers of classic rock and of course any fan of Motorhead! This is further evidence that 'strong albums' remains to be discovered still a lot!
    Thx Marios!

    ReplyDelete
  4. hello there
    your blog is really super.
    what password would I need to open the files
    i GOT THE CURTIS KNIGHT LP

    ReplyDelete