in November 1970, a new album came along that you just knew was destined to fulfill every last vertiginous criteria for which Vertigo was renowned. It was by Warhorse, and boy, it was heavy! The fun faded in on neoclassical Hammond organ, a dark lilt that sounded as though it was recorded from an immense distance - so immense that when the rest of the band burst in, just under a minute into the melody, even the phonograph needle jumped in shock... The connection to the Purple family tree remains most people's immediate introduction to Warhorse today...contemporary reviews would most commonly compare Warhorse to labelmates Black Sabbath. In fact modern ears will discern more resemblance to (Nick) Simper's old buddies in Deep Purple...almost everything that Purple would accomplish on 1971's Fireball and beyond was already in place in 1970, courtesy of Warhorse...
by Dave Thompson, "Goldmine" 26.2.99
1. Vulture Blood - 6:12
2. No Chance - 6:22
3. Burning - 6:17
4. St.Louis (George Young, Harry Vanda) - 3:50
5. Ritual - 4:54
6. Solitude - 8:48
7. Woman Of The Devil - 7:16
8. Miss Jane - 3:38
9. Ritual (Live) - 5:08
10.Solitude (Live) - 4:54
11.Woman Of The Devil (Live) - 6:47
12.Burning (Live) - 6:10
All songs by Warhorse except where stated
Warhorse
*Ashley Holt - Vocals
*Ged Peck - Guitar
*Mac Poole - Drums
*Nick Simper - Bass
*Frank Wilson - Keyboards
1972 Warhorse - Red Sea (2010 remaster with bonus tracks)
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Be born and build up in the shadow of Deep Purple was not easy, unfortunately this the label stuck to the band called Warhorse. Not without reason, as the originator and founder of the group was Nick Simper, former bassist of the original members of Deep Purple that after the release of their first three albums, in July 1969 and had to leave the band due to personal disagreements and with his departure introduced to his new project - Warhorse resulting from the dissolution of the group Marsha Hunt - singer Marsha Hunt Band - stylistically sound very reminiscent of Deep Purple from their first three albums. It may not be an epoch-making and groundbreaking release in the history of rock music, however, it is my humble opinion, quite interesting proposition in terms of quality outweighs the the first three (LP Deep Purple.) Galloping into action with a thunder of heavy metal hooves, Warhorse was a sturdy steed of the years seventies. Albums Warhorse are undoubtedly something special for any fan of Deep Purple, besides, is not only a cult band that is not easy to find on the shelf in a random music store - which also raises its value to collectors - but also a great portion of hard rock music. So much as a preliminary move on to the specifics.
ReplyDeleteThe band released only two albums, "Warhorse" and "Red Sea". Presented here their debut album, "Warhorse" was released in 1970 and was registered at Trident Studios in London and was first released on the Vertigo label, Warhorse began life as a backing band for singer Marsha Hunt, but when Marsha came off the road, Simper reorganised the band with Ashley Holt (vocals), Ged Peck (guitar), and Mac Poole on drums. Rick Wakeman was in the band for a while, but was later replaced by Frank Wilson on keyboards, in time for their first record sessions.
The album begins with "Vulture Blood", the beginning of a peaceful, lasting a minute organ intro goes smoothly fit riff sounds arise first achievements of Black Sabbath and the voice of the singer Ashley Holt, rough, typical for the British hard rock music at the time, it is easy to know that we are dealing of British climates. There is also,short is true, beautiful guitar solo guitars reminiscent of American musicians the likes of John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service and James Gurley of Big Brother and The Holding Company,after which played is re-shared keys and guitar part. Conceived in this way composition pleasantly surprised. Then we have "No Chance" which begins the march theme (it will appear as the next "Burning"), from which emerges a guitar riff, followed by the vocals. Since this time the song is about feeling and a woman - vocals, by contrast, bitterly disappoint. In the end we hear the Hammond organ solos and guitar, hear them anyway we can in the next tracks. The strangest song on 'Warhorse' is' St. Louis'. Why? It is simply a 'thoroughbred' hit, rubbing at times about making ... Village People! ''Ritual" - was used the same riff as in Purple "Wring That Neck". The end of the album brings us a strong ''Woman Of The Devil'' (could easily make a career in one of the albums MK II second composition Deep Purple.) and the wonderful 'Solitude'. This, lasting nearly nine minutes protest song is by far the best track on the album. Solitude' announces the song 'I (Who Have Nothing)' from the second album Warhorse, but to look at the 'Red Sea'... may come once a time.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, falls to try to draw conclusions from our thinking. The psychedelic climate, with more or less audible inspiration Vanilla Fudge, here are enriched with heavy organ sound. Ged Peck sounds very similar to Ritchie Blackmore, and 'Ritual' was used the same riff as Purple 'Wring That Neck'. The songs on the album are interesting, varied and well-played. This album was released a little earlier, it is certainly their career would turn differently. And so ...? Warhorse, as I mentioned, he recorded only two albums. The team failed to appear in the music first division, and the memory of it - requires regular vacuuming. Summing up the achievements of Warhorse, we come to the interesting conclusion, and so if there was a Deep Purple would probably Warhorse, and they did to a similar career. Efforts Nick Simper therefore hit a dead end, leaving us but really good music.
I understand that the band took a wrong turn when their original guitarist, Ged Peck, quit. Relations with Nick Simper were not at all good, but the management were not at all happy with the sudden change of personnel. According to web reports, Peck had had a long career in the business and was getting fed up with the travelling and the music. He eventually got out and began a career playing classical guitar, a similar situation that had happened with former rock guitarist Bernie Watson who played with Cyril Davis and Screaming Lord Sutch. It is rumoured that Peck and Watson later linked up.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the album fails to really establish what the band were capable of live. It is one of those studio produced versions that sounds as if it might go somewhere, but is nevertheless holding something back. The solos are capable, indeed very good in places, and one wonders how they might have developed had the original line-up been maintained. They are most definitely in the Purple and Vanilla Fudge mould, but still needed to find an original setting for their work.
Simper continued to play as the decades passed, as with Mac Poole, the singer and organist. Peck, by his own admission, seemingly purposely 'disappeared' for three decades and little is known of him now, except that he continues to play both classical and jazz guitar.
The album is therefore an interesting example of musicians that straddled the 1960s and early 1970s.
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ReplyDeletemayblitz, both "Warhorse" albums, updated..
DeleteExcellent!... I only had loose tracks...
ReplyDelete