A remarkable feature of Colosseum Live was the inclusion of one of the more unusual numbers in the band's repertoire, namely Michael Gibbs's outstanding composition "Tanglewood '63." This was a brave piece for a six piece jazz rock band to tackle since the original version (aside from a version recorded by Gary Burton's quartet in 1982) was made by Gibbs for his second big band album for Deram in 1971. But Gibbs plus Colosseum members Jon Hiseman, Dick Heckstall-Smith and Dave Clempson had also performed this track, as members of the New Jazz Orchestra, at the Jeanetta Cochrane Theatre, London on 26 May 1970 (a CD of the concert eventually being released on the Dusk Fire label in 2008 and going under the title of Camden '70). The version of "Tanglewood '63" heard on this re-mastered Colosseum Live album meticulously reflects the labyrinthine and complex arrangement of the piece. The Colosseum version also utilises vocal harmonies to replace some of the original instrumentation and most notably the voice of Chris Farlowe, whose ability to sing intricate melody lines proves beyond doubt that he was not merely an impressively powerful rhythm and blues singer.
The original Colosseum Live LP was released in 1971 on the Bronze label, the content gleaned from concerts recorded in the United Kingdom. Tracks included Jack Bruce's "Rope Ladder To The Moon" and Graham Bond's "Walking In The Park" which was Colosseum's hugely popular signature tune. Then there were some frenetic blues tracks, "Skellington" and the blistering "I Can't Live Without You" (not included on the original 1971 Bronze label double vinyl release but included as a bonus track on the 1992 Sequel CD reissue). The mood was taken down a little with the classic T-Bone Walker number "Stormy Monday Blues," Farlowe's barnstorming vocals positively shining through. The Greenslade, Heckstall-Smith and Farlowe-penned "Lost Angeles" is another genuine highlight of the album, a fifteen minute tour de force proving that the band could write effective and dynamic numbers when they set about it.
This Esoteric release includes an extra CD of bonus tracks recorded in Brighton, Bristol and Manchester. Significantly there is the addition of several tracks not included on the original release including a full length version of "The Valentyne Suite," a very rare treat to hear live. Also, sandwiched between "I Can't Live Without You" and "The Machine Demands A Sacrifice" is "Time Machine," a stupendous twelve minute drum solo—where Hiseman, egged-on by a increasingly hysterical audience, proves what a technically brilliant drummer he is; towards the climactic ending of his solo he kicks his twin bass drums at almost superhuman speed. His drumming far outstripped the capabilities of the average rock drummer, which he most certainly was not. The bonus CD on this release makes this an absolutely essential purchase for all Colosseum fans, who will undoubtedly already possess a version of the original Colosseum Live.
Those who haven't heard this band before will be mightily impressed at the virtuosic talent of all the members of the group and the timeless quality of the music presented here. Therefore this is a very welcome reissue indeed from one of the pre-eminent pioneering British jazz rock outfits and one of the genre's most well-loved bands.
by Roger Farbey
Disc 1 (Original Album)
1. Rope Ladder To The Moon (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown) - 9:45
2. Walking In The Park (Graham Bond) - 8:22
3. Skelington (Dave "Clem" Clempson, Jon Hiseman) - 14:57
4. I Can't Live Without You (James Litherland) - 7:49
5. Tanglewood '63 (Michael Gibbs) - 10:13
6. Stormy Monday Blues (Aron T. Walker) - 7:29
7. Lost Angeles (Chris Farlowe, Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith) - 15:48
Tracks 1-7 recorded at Manchester University, Manchester, UK (March 18, 1971) and the Big Apple, Brighton, UK (March 27, 1971), on the "Daughter of Time" tour.
1. Rope Ladder To The Moon (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown) - 10:56
2. Skellington (Dave "Clem" Clempson, Jon Hiseman) - 14:41
3. I Can't Live Without You (James Litherland) - 21:39
.a.Time Machine (Jon Hiseman)
.b.The Machine Demands A Sacrifice (Jon Hiseman, James Litherland, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Pete Brown)
4. Stormy Monday Blues (Aron T. Walker) - 5:12
5. The Valentyne Suite - 21:20
.I.January's Search (Jon Hiseman, Dave Greenslade)
.II.Theme Two - February's Valentyne (Jon Hiseman, Dave Greenslade)
.III.Theme Three - The Grass Is Greener (Jon Hiseman, Dick Heckstall-Smith)
Tracks 1-2 recorded at The Big Apple, Brighton, 1971
Track 3 recorded at Manchester University, March 1971
Track 4 recorded in Bristol, 1971
Track 5 recorded at Manchester University, March 1971.
The Colosseum
*Mark Clarke - Bass, Vocals
*Dave "Clem" Clempson - Guitars, Vocals
*Chris Farlowe - Vocals
*Dave Greenslade - Organ, Vibes
*Dick Heckstall -Smith - Saxophones
*Jon Hiseman - Drums
1969 Colosseum - Valentyne Suite (2004 deluxe expanded edition)
1969 Colosseum - Those Who Are About To Die Salute You (2004 remaster and expanded)
1970 Colosseum - Daughter Of Time (remaster with bonus track)
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