Hard Stuff - The Complete Purple Records Anthology (1971-73 uk, superb hard psych classic rock, 2017 double disc remaster)

Hard Stuff came to life when the musical differences between guitarist/vocalist John DuCann and drummer Paul Hammond with keyboardist Vincent Crane reached a boiling point regarding the direction that Atomic Rooster would follow in the wake of their #4 UK hit “Devil’s Answer.” Crane wanted to follow a soulful direction while DuCann and Hammond favored a heavier rocking sound for the band. Quatermass bass guitarist/vocalist John Gustafson was asked by DuCann to join Atomic Rooster, and agreed, only to find that Crane owned the rights to the band’s name.

The trio, joined by vocalist Harry Shaw, formed a quartet taking the name Bullet. The band released a single, “Hobo” c/w “Sinister Minister.” The songs on the single rocked, but there was already an American band named Bullet who had a top 30 hit, and thus the quartet was forced to take a new name. Shaw left the band, the remaining trio selecting the name Hard Stuff, recorded two albums, “Bulletproof” and “Bolex Dementia” as well as two singles. All these tunes are included on The Complete Purple Records Anthology with both sides of the Bullet single added as bonus tracks. The Bullet sides were re-recorded by Hard Stuff and included on “Bulletproof.”

Hard Stuff’s debut LP “Bulletproof” is a fine piece of hard rock, a combination of tunes written by DuCann and Gustafson, who share lead vocals. The album opens with the fiery guitar driven “Jay Time,” a DuCann composition, which was first recorded by Bullet, then re-recorded by Hard Stuff and released as the a-side to their first single. “Sinister Minister” another hard driving rocker, written and sung by Gustafson, follows and was also released as the b-side of “Jay Time.” “Bulletproof” is full of heavy riffs and hard rocking numbers with Gustafson’s “No Witch At All” and DuCann’s ‘Time Gambler” being particular standouts. Of the album’s ten tracks, six are re-recordings of tunes by Bullet, one, “Monster In Paradise” co-written by Gustafson with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover of Deep Purple, label mates of Hard Stuff.

The band’s second and final album “Bolex Dementia” is another fine piece of hard rock, full of heavy riffs by DuCann and thundering bass by Gustafson. As with its predecessor the LP is a mix of tunes written by DuCann and Gustafson, each contributing five tracks to the album. The opening track “Roll A Rocket” penned by DuCann sets the stage with its heavy riff and gorgeous solo. The LPs lead vocals are split evenly between DuCann and Gustafson, with each singing their own compositions. Two non-LP sides, Gustafson’s “Inside Your Life” and DuCann’s “(It’s) How You Do It! Were released as a single supporting the album and are included as bonus tracks on this anthology.

The Complete Purple Recordings 1971-1973 marks the CD debut of the single sides by Bullet. An early mix of “Monster In Paradise” is also included as a bonus track. The sound quality of the recordings is the best yet, with DuCann, Gustafson and Hammond all participating in the remastering job. The set’s 16 page full-color booklet includes an informative essay by Malcolm Dome, as well as photos of the band members, album and single art work and a Hard Stuff/Bullet discography, making this the definitive Hard Stuff collection. Fans of hard rock and DuCann’s guitar work will definitely want this anthology to add to their collection.

by Kevin Rathert

Tracks

Disc 1 Bulletproof 1972

1.  Jay Time (John Du Cann) - 2:52

2.  Sinister Minister (John Gustafson) - 3:32

3.  No Witch At All (John Gustafson) - 5:38

4.  Taken Alive (John Gustafson) - 3:15

5.  Time Gambler (Rodney)  (John Du Cann) - 6:15

6.  Millionaire (John Du Cann) - 6:03

7.  Monster In Paradise (John Gustafson, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover) - 4:34

8.  Hobo (John Du Cann) - 3:24

9.  Mr. Longevity-Rip (John Gustafson) - 4:33

10. The Provider-Part One (John Du Cann, John Gustafson) - 2:31

11. Hobo (Bullet Single A-Side, 1971 Pur 101)  (John Du Cann) - 3:26

12. Sinister Minister (Bullet Single B-Side, 1971pur 101)  (John Gustafson) - 3:33

13. Jay Time (Single A-Side, 1972 Pur 103)  (John Du Cann) - 2:41

14. The Orchestrator (Single B-Side, 1972 Pur103)  (John Du Cann, John Gustafson) - 3:23

15. Monster In Paradise (Early Mix)  (John Gustafson, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover) - 4:45

Recorded at De Lane Lea, Kingsway, London Aug-Sep 1971

Bonus Tracks 11-15

Disc 2 Bolex Dementia 1973
1.  Roll A Rocket (John Du Cann) - 5:19
2.  Libel (John Gustafson) - 3:59
3.  Ragman (John Gustafson) - 3:00
4.  Spider's Web (John Du Cann) - 4:55
5.  Get Lost (John Du Cann) - 3:00
6.  Sick N' Tired (John Du Cann) - 4:04
7.  Mermany (John Gustafson) - 5:57
8.  Jumpin' Thumpin' (Ain't That Somethin')  (John Du Cann) - 2:55
9.  Dazzle Dizzy (John Gustafson) - 3:41
10. Bolex Dementia (John Gustafson) - 3:39
11. Inside Your Life (Single A-Side, 1973 Pur 116)  (John Gustafson) - 3:10
12. (It`S) -  How You Do It ! (Single B-Side, 1973 Pur116)  (John Du Cann) - 3:11
Bonus Tracks 11-13

The Hard Stuff
*John Cann - Vocals, Fender Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Cello
*John Gustafson - Vocals, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Tuners
*Paul Hammond - Drums, Sticks, Other Walking Aids

Related Acts
1967-68  The Attack - About Time (2006 remaster with unreleased material)
1967-69  The Attack - Magic In The Air
1967-69  Andromeda - The Definitive Collection
1968  The Five Day Week Straw People - The Five Day Week Straw People
1970  Atomic Rooster - Atomic Rooster (2016 Japan Mini LP SHM remaster) 
1970-72/81  Atomic Rooster - Devil's Answer / Rare Live Recordings 
1970  Atomic Rooster - Death Walks Behind You (2016 SHM remaster with bonus tracks) 

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Labi Siffre - Crying Laughing Loving Lying (1972 uk, gorgeous orchestrated jazzy politicized folk, 2006 remaster and expanded)

Labi Siffre was born on June 25, 1945. He is a British poet, songwriter, musician, and singer most widely known for “(Something Inside) So Strong,” “It Must Be Love,” and “I Got The…,” the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip-hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, “My Name Is.”

Labi Siffre was born the fourth of five children, at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in Hammersmith, London to a British mother of Barbadian–Belgian descent and a Nigerian father. He was brought up in Bayswater and Hampstead and educated at St Benedict’s School, in Ealing, West London.

Jazz and blues records provided his musical education and included Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Charles Mingus among many others. Jimmy Reed and Wes Montgomery loomed large as guitar influences; Billie Holiday, Jimmy Reed and Mel Tormé as vocal influences.

While trying to become a full-time musician, Labi Siffre worked odd jobs as a warehouseman, a filing clerk and as a minicab driver and delivery man. In the early 60s, he joined a jazz trio that featured him on guitar, playing at Annie’s Room, a jazz club fronted by the singer Annie Ross. He then toured as opening act and backing singer for Jackie Edwards, the Jamaican songwriter, soul and reggae star. Labi went on to form another three-piece group called Safari, playing London’s Soho clubs. Then his first solo gigs came in Amsterdam at the folk club Het Kloppertje, and at the then haven of psychedelic hippiedom, Paradiso.

In 1969, while working in Amsterdam, Siffre signed a publishing and management contract with Management Agency & Music Ltd. He released six albums between 1970 and 1975, and four between 1988 and 1998. In the early 1970s, he had UK hits with “It Must Be Love,” “Crying Laughing Loving Lying” and “Watch Me.”

He moved to Los Angeles in 1977 and shortly thereafter decided to quit the music business as a performer and concentrate on writing. After nine months in California he moved back to the UK when, in 1978, two of his songs, “Solid Love” (performed by Siffre) and “We Got It Bad” (co-written and performed by Bob James) reached the UK finals of the BBC’s A Song for Europe.

Labi Siffre came out of self-imposed retirement from music in 1985 when he saw a television film from South Africa showing a white soldier shooting at black children. He wrote “(Something Inside) So Strong,” an anti-apartheid anthem, which remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre’s lyrics and poetry. It was sung by the crowd during a remembrance ceremony following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. It won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically, and has been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement, and Alice Walker’s film against female genital mutilation. In 2015, Siffre revealed the song was also inspired by his growing up gay.

His stance on civil and human rights has further enhanced his reputation. In 1990, collaborating with the South African R&B, jazz-fusion singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler, Siffre wrote the lyrics of five of the nine songs on Butler’s album “Heal Our Land.”

Searching for expression beyond the “limitations of songwriting,” Labi Siffre wrote his first poems in 1984. Three books of his poetry have been published: “Nigger” (1993), “Blood on the Page” (1995), and “Monument” (1997). More appear on his poetry blog Labi Siffre – Into The Light. He released a new album, “The Last Songs,” on EMI in 2006.

Labi Siffre and his partner, Peter John Carver Lloyd, were together since July of 1964 and up until Lloyd’s death in 2013. Under the UK Civil Partnership Act 2004, they became legally recognized partners in December of 2005. Siffre remains active in political and social justice issues, and is an outspoken atheist. We thank Labi Siffre for his artistry and courageous activism.

by Stephen A. Maglott

In 1972, London-born musician, poet and openly gay singer-songwriter Labi Siffre released “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying,” a tender love ballad that deals squarely with homophobia and racism.  While never having an international hit or labeled a “superstar”, the multi-talented Siffre built a cult following with covers by Rod Stewart and Olivia-Newton John and samples by Kanye West, Jay-Z and most famously by Eminem on “My Name Is.” 

Unafraid to speak up against injustice, protest songs take on issues of their day, but transcend their eras to speak to future generations.  Partnering with WXPN, Guster shares their cover of “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying”, a respectful rework that honors the unassuming protest song for a new generation (out tomorrow).

by Penny Palmer

Tracks
1. Saved - 2:11
2. Cannock Chase - 4:07
3. Fool Me A Goodnight - 3:45
4. It Must Be Love - 3:57
5. Gimme Some More - 2:55
6. Blue Lady - 5:06
7. Love Oh Love Oh Love - 4:27
8. Crying Laughing Loving Lying - 3:03
9. Hotel Room Song - 2:54
10.My Song - 4:44
11.Till Forever - 1:15
12.Come On Michael - 2:58
13.You Make It Easy - 4:12
14.Good Old Days - 3:12
15.Pristine Verses - 3:03
16.You'll Let Me Know - 3:50
17.Oh Me Oh My Mr City Goodbye - 3:52
18.For The Lovin' - 4:30
Music and Lyrics by Labi Siffre

Musicians
*Labi Siffre - Vocals, Guitar, Electric Piano, Celesta
*Nick Ingman - Conductor
*Les Hurdle - Bass
*Vanessa Poole - Bassoon
*Stephen Maw - Bassoon
*Brian Bennett - Drums
*Harry Cornet - Flute 
*Ray Warleigh - Flute
*Jeff Bryant - French Horn
*Martyn Ford - French Horn
*Hugh Potts - French Horn
*Richard Studt - Strings
*Dave Richmond - Bass
*Francis Monkman - Electric Piano, Celesta, Organ
*Barry DeSouza - Drums
*Alan Skidmore - Flute
*Don Fay - Flute
*Richard Tattersall - Ukulele
*Robin Thompson - Bassoon
*Peter Robinson - Electric Piano

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Evensong - Evensong (1971-73 uk, harmony drenched baroque folk, 2010 korean bonus tracks remaster)

Evensong consisted of Birmingham natives, Mick Lawson and Tony Hulme. Their self-titled album was the only album the duo released, it received a fine reception at the time of it’s release, with the two going off to tour the album in America. Session players Clem Cattini, B. J. Cole, and the notable Herbie Flowers, appear on the album, as well as well as string arrangements from former Spencer Davis Group guitarist, Ray Fenwick. 

Mick Lawson names Bob Dylan as one of his biggest influences, later changing his stage name to “Emmit Till” in the 1980’s, after Dylan’s 1962 song, The Death of Emmet Till. In an interview with The Birmingham Mail, Mick said, “When I was touring America in the 1970’s with my band Evensong we played at Dylan’s High School in Hibbing, Minnesota…we ended up hanging out with his uncle, who had a soft spot for Brummie folkies.”

Can’t say there’s a recognisable Dylan influence on the album, if there is, it’s very watered down (possibly a slightly noticeable influence on seventh-track, Rum Runner.) Arguably, it’s a good thing Dylan’s influence isn’t too strong, it’s not an album released to change how people perceive the world, or question society and humanity, the heaviness and truthfulness of Dylan’s lyrics wouldn’t fit on an album like Evensong; it’s an album far from reality, an escape from the difficult truths of real life. Of course singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan are extremely important, and changed the world with their lyrics, but albums like Evensong are just as needed in their own way.

A number of tracks stick out as being particularly special, Gypsy, being one of them, completely hypnotic, dreamy, and psychedelic, it’s a song that could be compared to Mark Fry‘s iconic acid-folk album, Dreaming of Alice, released the same year. The Smallest Man In The World, is another stand-out song, and possibly their most well-known track, it holds onto a childhood naivety that mimics the Incredible String Bands Hedgehog Song, among others.

The album is slightly inconsistent, in that it seems to rapidly change genre from song-to-song, one minute you’re transported to a psychedelic daydream in Dodos and Dinosaurs, straight into the gimmicky, I Was Her Cowboy, with an all-American rock 'n' roll feel, and a country tinge. Then straight back into a world of psychedelic-folk with Store of Time. It’s as if someone’s clicked their fingers in your face, a jolt back to reality. Maybe it’s a good thing…the album might just be too dreamy if it weren’t for the songs that break it up a bit – the ‘adverts’ of the album. That aside, it’s an incredible album, it’s strong points overpower it’s weaker points by a million to one.

The album makes perfect listening on these warm hazy summer days, a soft and dreamy trip to a kaleidoscopic world of sunsets, sunshine, and sunflowers.

Moof-Magzine

Tracks
1. Dodos And Dinosaurs - 3:48
2. I Was Her Cowboy - 3:18
3. Store Of Time - 3:35
4. Gypsy - 2:38
5. Smallest Man In The World - 3:38
6. Take Your Son To Church Mother - 4:47
7. Borderline - 3:02
8. Firefly - 2:40
9. Rum Runner - 3:50
10.Sweetbriar Road - 4:02
11.Home Made Wine - 2:59
12.Reaching Out For Someone (Dick Holler) - 2:52
13.Wooden Wheels - 4:32
14.Tell Me A Story - 2:22
15.Dance Dance Dance (Neil Young) - 2:48
16.Romeo - 3:41
All songs by Mick Lawson, Tony Hulme except where indicated

Musicians
*Mick Lawson - Guitar, Vocals
*Tony Hulme - Guitar, Vocals
*Clem Cattini - Drums
*B. J. Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Herbie Flowers - Bass
*Mike Moran - Orchestration
*Ray Fenwick - String Arrangements

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Pisces - Pisces (1971 uk, beautiful acoustic folk, 2002 remaster)

Pisces were Tim Greenwood (Bass and acoustic guitars), John O’Connor (6 string guitar and Bass) and more famously, Richard Digance (acoustic guitars and keyboards). They were assisted by Alan Eden (percussion) of Mr Fox fame.

John O’Connor is now living in Santa Barbara, California and since Pisces had more commercial success by co-writing and recording the top ten single ‘Arthur Daley, he’s alright’ under the band name ‘The Firm’ and also co-writing the number one hit ‘Star trekkin’ which was the tenth best selling single of 1987. He also won a BMI Tv songwriting award for writing the music for the Emmy awarded series ‘King of the hill’. He is still performing in the Santa Barbara area, solo and with bands. Unfortunately I can’t track down what happened to Tim Greenwood,

Richard Digance on the other hand is still performing in 2017, with his Golden Anniversary Tour, with over 80 tour dates booked so far. His career has seen him get a BAFTA nomination and win the Gold Award from the British Academy of Composers. He has done 62 British tours, with 4,000 live shows, written 14 books and released 32 albums. Not bad going! But this album ‘Pisces’ was the start of it, and what a great start. Of the tracks, 6 were written by Richard, 1 by John, 1 by Tim and 1 co-written by Richard and John. Richard was described by ‘Whispering Bob Harris’ as a National Treasure, but this album is surely one of our lost treasures.

The songs are a lovely collection, with the bizarre ‘Ballad of Benjamin Bratt’ about a puppet living on a beach, the sentimental ‘After the night’ and the traditional sounding folk story of ‘Jack O’Legs’ (which is the stand out track on Side 1 – written by Tim Greenwood) with some stunning guitar work and great vocals. Jack O’Legs, according to folklore, was a highwayman of remarkable size and strength who lived around 1500 in a cave near Stevenage – which explains a lot. Folk rock at its best.

The harmonies on the gentle melodic ‘Midsummer symphony’ are superb, great love song. Great guitar work and vocals again on ‘Sam the one-eyed Snail’, apparently the real story behind the Canvey Island flood – maybe. ‘If the truth be known’ is a gentle, philosophical track with great vocals from Richard and some delightful rhythm changes and lead guitar. The album concludes with the album’s other stand out track – ‘Poker Joe’ – a really up tempo finish, a song about the epitome of a gambler’s dream – never cheat, but always win. Great finish to a fab album.

Tracks
1. Bright New Morning (Jim O'Connor) - 4:41
2. The Ballad Of Benjamin Bratt (Richard Digance) - 3:03
3. After The Night (Richard Digance) - 3:54
4. Jack O Legs (Tim Greenwood) - 7:18
5. If I Sing You A Song (Richard Digance) - 3:32
6. Midsummer Symphony (Richard Digance) - 4:45
7. Sam The One-Eyed Snail (Richard Digance) - 3:02
8. If The Truth Be Known (Richard Digance) - 6:14
9. Poker Joe (Richard Digance, Jim O'Connor) - 4:43

The Pisces
*Richard Digance - 6, 12 String Guitars, Keyboard, Vocals
*Tim Greenwood - Bass, Guitar, 6, 12 String Guitars, Vocals
*John O'Connor - 6 String Guitar, Bass, Vocals
*Alan Eden - Percussion

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Grahame Bond - Mighty Grahame Bond (1969 uk, fantastic r 'n' b psych rock, 2004 bonus tracks remaster)

The best music comes out of misery, they say. In the history of music there has always been a special place for tragic people like Nick Drake, Syd Barrett, Keith Moon, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Ian Curtis, Kurt Cobain, recently Amy Winehouse and many others. All gifted people who added something to the music scene, but couldn't cope with the lifestyle, the pressure and the fame. Live fast and die young: the myth of (rock) music that made icons of them. They died to make their legacy immortal; in this case Syd Barrett forms an exception, although his musical career ended in 1970.

Graham Bond (1937-1974) - on both records named Grahame, but his real name was Graham - also fits in this list. He was well-known in the British rhythm & blues scene of the sixties. He was also an innovator, introducing the Hammond-organ and the Mellotron in blues music, as well as introducing elements of jazz and free form music. At first he was a member of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and later on he formed his own band: the Graham Bond Organisation. This band featured, amongst others, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Dick Heckstall-Smith. They recorded a couple of blues albums and were very active in the live circuit. In 1966 the band started to fall apart. Since Bond was addicted to drugs, he took heroin and cocaine. This, combined with a failed marriage, made him unstable; Ginger Baker was backing him up as the group leader. However, Baker and Bruce left the band to form Cream together with Eric Clapton.

Meanwhile a new psychedelic underground scene was emerging in London, with bands like Pink Floyd and Soft Machine. Rhythm & blues had become old-fashioned. It was time for something new and Bond was inspired by the new scene. He absorbed the psychedelics and also formed an interest in the occult, which would break the surface in his lyrics. He put an end to the Graham Bond Organisation and assembled a new group of musicians with whom he'd play on a variable basis. He also came in contact with The Fool, a psychedelic design team noted for their work with The Beatles. This group oddly had managed to get a contract to record an album with Mercury, despite their inability to play musical instruments within a certain degree of competency. So they invited Bond to be their musical director and to join them in New York. He did, and thanks to Bond the album was recorded and released. During his stay in New York, Bond met Jimi Hendrix and they jammed together, although no recordings from these sessions have been released.

During the recording of The Fool's album, Mercury's executive Irving Green suggested Bond to move to Los Angeles to record a solo album for the newly formed Mercury subsidiary imprint Pulsar. In Los Angeles he jammed with Doctor John, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix as well as contributing to albums from Harvey Mandel and Screaming Jay Hawkins. In September 1968 he recorded his first solo album Love Is The Law together with drummer Hal Blaine. Bond played all the other instruments like the Hammond-organ, Reed-organ, Mellotron, bass guitar and saxophones. Soon after the first album had been recorded Bond met former Crazy World Of Arthur Brown-drummer Drachen Theaker who had moved to California. Together they gathered some musicians and rehearsed for several months. With the new songs written and rehearsed, some studio time was arranged to record Mighty Grahame Bond. They could only afford one and a half day, but the entire album was recorded in about fifteen hours.

The words from the song Freaky Beak would turn out to be prophetic. 'Beak' was a term used by Bond to describe the music business executives. He had been staying in the USA under a tourist visa, so he wasn't allowed to work there. His record company had advised him to register the songs under the pseudonym Billy Gamble, but they didn't tell him that they had opened a bank account under the name of Billy Gamble, so Bond didn't receive a penny. With his visa running out he fled to Jamaica with his family. Eventually he accepted the offer from an agency to fly him and his family back to England. On his return he founded the band Initiation. He was also invited to join Airforce, the band from his former companion Ginger Baker. Both bands weren't much successful.

In 1971 he joined Jack Bruce's new band, but he was fired after three months. Then he teamed up with former Cream-lyricist Pete Brown to form Bond & Brown. They recorded one album before Bond's drug problems brought the band to a premature end. His erratic behaviour caused by his drug abuse, even led him to spend some time in prison and in a mental hospital. In March 1974 he came out, even more depressed. He stayed in a friend's place, but walked out on May 8, 1974. Two days later he met his death under a tube train at Finsbury Park Station in North London.

Both his albums Love Is The Law and Mighty Grahame Bond weren't successful at their release. They were only released in the USA where Bond wasn't well-known. Some tracks were released in his home country on a compilation album Bond In America. After his death these albums became highly wanted. They're Bond's most honourable legacy. At the time his musicianship wasn't too much affected by his drug abuse, and he took full advantage of the musical liberty of the late sixties. His music is dominated by the Hammond-organ, through which Bond exposed his tortured soul. He has a good and weathered voice which perfectly fits the music. These albums are enjoyable because the music is genuine. 

by Erik Gibbels

Tracks
1. Water, Water - 3:49
2. Oh Shining One - 2:55
3. Pictures In The Fire - 2:07
4. Baroque - 3:09
5. Sisters And Brothers - 5:46
6. Stiffnecked Chicken - 3:24
7. Freaky Beak - 4:59
8. Walk Onto Me - 3:12
9. Magic Mojo - 3:30
10.Brothers And Sisters - 3:59
11.You've Gotta Have Love Babe - 2:35
12.I Love You - 2:57
13.Blew Through - 5:21
14.Water Water - 5:26
All songs by Billy Gamble aka Graham Bond
Bonus Tracks 11-14

Personnel
*Graham Bond - Organ, Mellotron, Alto Sax, Vocals
*Harvey Mandel - Guitar
*Max Bennett - Bass
*Eddie Hoh - Srums
*Frank Mayes - Sax
*Drachen Theaker - Drums

1962-72  Graham Bond - Live At BBC And Other Stories (2015 four discs box set)
1965  The Graham Bond Organisation - The Sound Of '65 / There's A Bond Between Us
1968  Grahame Bond - Love Is The Law (2004 extra tracks remaster)
1970  Graham Bond - Holy Magick (2006 remastered and expanded)
1972  Bond And Brown - Two Heads Are Better Than One (2009 remaster)
1970  Graham Bond - Solid Bond (2004 extra tracks remaster)

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Grahame Bond - Love Is The Law (1968 uk, magnificent bluesy psych rock, 2004 extra tracks remaster)

Love Is the Law is the first of the two LPs Graham Bond recorded for the Pulsar label in the late '60s after his move to the United States, and is the better of the pair by a wide margin. That doesn't mean, it should be cautioned, that it's that great, and it's considerably below the standard of the discs he cut in the U.K. in the mid-'60s as the leader of the Graham Bond Organisation. That might not only be because he was missing musicians of the extremely high caliber of his supporting players in the Organisation; it might also be due to him having played everything himself on the LP, with the exception of drums (by Hal Blaine) and some soulful female backup vocals. Yet there's still substantial pleasure -- if that's the right word to use for a musician with such a demonic vocal, instrumental, and compositional flavor -- to be had from Bond's consistently spooky blues-rock organ and Mellotron.

If his vocals are a bit croaky, and his lyrics (where odes to free love dovetail with dread and the occult) a bit creepy, that's part of the reason the music stands out even from the eclectic palette of late-'60s rock; there's nothing else quite like it, even if it might not be his best work. The title track and "The World Will Soon Be Free" are certainly among the absolute highlights of his post-Organisation discography, and if the remake of "Our Love Will Come Shining Through" isn't up to the level of the great obscure mid-'60s U.K. 45 on which he first issued the song, it's still pretty good. If some of the lyrics seem a bit awkward and confused in their confluence of naïve romanticism and ominous foreboding, they're made up for by some quite groovy blues-jazz organ riffs. Overall, it sounds like the songwriting could have done with some polish and the arrangements with some fleshing out, but Bond fans will still find it worthwhile to seek out this rare LP. 

by Richie Unterberger

Tracks
1. Love Is The Law - 3:25
2. Moving Towards The Light - 4:29
3. Our Love Will Come Shining Through - 3:03
4. I Couldn't Stand It Anymore - 4:10
5. Sun Dance - 2:24
6. Crossroads Time - 2:33
7. Bad News Blues - 2:50
8. Strange Times, Sad Times - 3:57
9. The Naz - 3:30
10.The World Will Soon Be Free - 3:55
11.Long Tall Shorty (Don Covay, Herb Abramson) - 2:21
12.Long Legged Lady - 2:17
13.Tell Me (John Group) - 2:50
14.Love Come Shining Through (John Group) - 2:02
15.Lease On Love (Mike Banwell, Rick Minas) - 2:46
16.My Heart's In Little Pieces - 3:22
17.St. James Infirmary (Joe Primrose) - 3:39
18.Soul Tango - 3:09
All songs by Billy Gamble except where stated
Tracks 1-10 Originally released in 1967 on Pulsar Records
Tracks 11-18 singles originally released between 1964 and 1966

Musicians
*Graham Bond - Organ, Mellotron, Alto Saxophone, Vocals
*Hal Blaine - Drums
*Dave Sheehan - Drums, Percussion
*Diane Stewart - Vocals

1962-72  Graham Bond - Live At BBC And Other Stories (2015 four discs box set)
1965  The Graham Bond Organisation - The Sound Of '65 / There's A Bond Between Us
1970  Graham Bond - Holy Magick (2006 remastered and expanded)
1972  Bond And Brown - Two Heads Are Better Than One (2009 remaster)
1970  Graham Bond - Solid Bond (2004 extra tracks remaster) 

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The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Hot City / The Unreleased Album (1974 uk, great glam hard rock, 2009 release)

Famously binned by SAHB and their management after bidding farewell to producer Shel Talmy in a London pub in 1974, the longawaited official release of Hot City arrives as the great missing piece in the SAHB jigsaw. Originally titled Can’t Get Enough and recorded with Shel Talmy calling the shots, Hot City is in many ways a fascinating dry run for what would later become The Impossible Dream, the album SAHB would embark upon after deciding that the material they had fell some way short of what they were shooting for.

Of the album’s nine tracks only the curiously retro-sounding Ace In The Hole is previously unreleased in any form. The others include Vambo, Man In The Jar, Long Hair Music, Sergeant Fury, Tomahawk Kid, Weights Made Of Lead and, making its initial appearance as Last Train, Anthem, which later resurfaced after varying degrees of fine-tuning on The Impossible Dream. No hap-hazard rag-bag of inconsequential studio cast-offs, this is the sound of SAHB on the cusp of their all conquering mid-70s pomp.

by Grahame Bent

Tracks
1. Vambo - 4:46
2. Man In The Jar - 5:06
3. Hey You - 0:43
4. Long Haired Music - 5:05
5. Sergeant Fury - 3:38
6. Tomahawk Kid - 6:22
7. Ace In The Hole - 2:36
8. Weights Made Of Lead - 2:36
9. Last Train - 9:49

The Senstational Alex Harvey Band
*Alex Harvey - Lead Vocals
*Zal Cleminson - Lead Guitar
*Hugh McKenna - Electric Piano
*Chris Glen - Bass Guitar
*Eddie McKenna - Drums
With
*Vicky Silva - Vocals
*Big Bud's Brass - Brass Section
*London Scottish Pipers - Pipe

1972-73  The Senstational Alex Harvey Band - Framed / Next (2002 remaster and 2014 japan SHM)
1976  The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - British Tour '76 (2004 remaster)
Related Act
1971 Tear Gas - Tear Gas (2019 remaster)

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Budgie - Never Turn Your Back On A Friend / In For The Kill! / Bandolier (1973-75 uk, raw power and energy heavy rock, 2016 three disc clamshell box remaster and 2004 expanded editions)

Welsh rockers Budgie may not have ever been the multi-million selling, stadium filling, mega stars like Black Sabbath (although they did headline the Reading Rock Festival in 1982), but the newly re-issued classic three albums between 1973 to 1975 – Never Turn Your Back on a Friend, In for the Kill, Bandolier – would go on to inspire many metal superstars of future decades. The impressive list who have namechecked or covered songs by this unassuming three-piece are Van Halen, Soundgarden, Iron Maiden, Megadeth and Queens of the Stone Age. But the band associated with enlightening Budgie to a younger generation of metalheads is Metallica and their cover of ‘Crash Course in Brain Surgery’ on The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited, released in 1987 to bed in the newly appointed bassist Jason Newsted, the replacement to the late Cliff Burton after the tragic coach crash whilst the band were touring Europe. They also went on to cover ‘Breadfan’ for the B side of single ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ the following year.

Originally formed in 1967, Burke Shelley (vocals, bass), Tony Bourge (guitar), and Ray Phillips (drums) under the name Six Ton Budgie before shelving the first two words to the shorter and snappier Budgie in 1968. A name of a small, seed eating bird is the antithesis to the band’s big compact amplified riff heavy assault sound. After releasing two albums, the self-titled debut (1971) and second album Squawk (1972), both of which are also worth exploring, it is with third album Never Turn Your Back on a Friend, released in 1973, that the accolades which followed mainly began here. The opening track alone, ‘Breadfan’, has one of the most colossal and memorable riff’s born outside of Tony Iommi. It also captures the many elements of the Budgie sound; the aforementioned jaw dropping riff and the quieter gentler acoustic section, which Budgie could interchange between so effortlessly and to such good effect.

‘Breadfan’ is the classic starting place to hear Budgie, but delve deeper and there is so much more to this band. Sandwiched in-between the harder metal edge of Black Sabbath, and the progressive explorations of Rush, they could wring emotion unlike many of their contemporaries, combining Burke Shelley’s glorious high shrieked wail and Tony Bourge’s guitar licks and riffs backed by a tight and very effective rhythm section. This they demonstrate on the breath taking and poignant ‘Parents’ from the said 1973 album.

Prior to the recording of their fourth album In for the Kill original drummer Ray Phillips left and was replaced by Pete Boot. An album which arguably could be their best turned out to be their most commercially successful, claiming a top 40 album chart entry peaking at number 29 in the U.K. charts. It elevates the harder rocking edge of their sound kicking in with the guitar squealing intro title track, plus the riff heavy driving force of ‘Crash Course in Brain Surgery’, and ‘Zoom Club’, all are fully charged proto-metal romps and leaves no surprises why they are name checked by so many metal bands.

The in 1975 released, and second highest album chart position at number 36, Bandolier, boasts riffy rockers ‘Breaking All the House Rules’, and ‘I Can’t See My Feelings’, the catchy defiant singalong of ‘I Ain’t No Mountain’, while the closing track ‘Napoleon Bona, Pts 1 & 2’ has an opening acoustic gentle sway before turning into a metal chugging powerhouse classic.

Also, they have their own distinctive bird fronted album cover illustrations in which Squawk and Never Turn Your Back on a Friend were designed by iconic artist Roger Dean (Yes, Uriah Heap, and more recently Black Moth’s second album Condemned to Hope), to set them visually apart and handy to the purchaser while flicking through stacks of bulking record shelves (oh, those were the days). Another vital element is the original, and in some cases, intriguing song titles for example, the eye-brows raising, wince inducing erotica of ‘In the Grip of a Tyrefitter’s Hand’, and the equally odd and squirming simile ‘Hot As a Docker’s Armpit’, as well as ‘You Are the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk’, the wonderful imaginative imagery of ‘Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman’ along with the first track on the self-titled debut album ‘Guts’, are my particular favourites.

Yes, there are a few standard bluesy rock tracks which prop up here and there, but remember this was in the early 70’s. But as they carried on into the 1980’s with John Thomas (who sadly passed away earlier this year) replacing Rob Kendrick (ex-Trapeze) in 1979, who had in turn succeeded Tony Bourges in 1978, it was their influential heavier side the band relied on in a live setting in which I saw them deliver a fantastic set of their classic hard rock/metal repertoire in the mid/late 1980’s at Hammersmith’s Clarendon before splitting in 1988. The band continued to reform and part ways several times after in the proceeding decades. So, anyone interested in hard rock of this said period or metallers who want to explore the roots or more importantly, just want to enjoy a fine huge slab of hard rock and heavy metal should invest in, or at least check out, these influential albums by a very inspirational band. 

by Andy Little, 2016

Tracks

Disc 1 Never Turn Your Back On A Friend 1973

1. Breadfan - 6:06

2. Baby Please Don't Go (Big Joe Williams) - 5:26

3. You Know I'll Always Love You - 2:09

4. You're The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk - 8:46

5. In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter's Hand - 6:23

6. Riding My Nightmare - 2:39

7. Parents - 10:21

8. Breadfan (2003 version) - 5:27

9. Parents (2004 Acoustic version) - 5:37

10.Breadfan (Live 1973) - 6:05

All songs by Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge, Ray Phillips, except where indicated

Bonus Tracks 8-10 for 2004 Noteworthy edition

Track 8 recorded in summer 2003 by Burke Shelley, Steve Williams and Simon Lees

Track 9 Acoustic version recorded in summer 2004 by Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge

Track 10 recorded live for BBCTV's "The Old Whistle Test" in 1975

Disc 2 In For The Kill! 1974

1. In For The Kill - 6:28

2. Crash Course In Brain Surgery (Tony Bourge, Burke Shelley, Ray Phillips) - 2:37

3. Wondering What Everyone Knows - 2:53

4. Zoom Club - 9:52

5. Hammer And Tongs - 6:55

6. Running From My Soul - 3:36

7. Living On Your Own - 8:52

8. Zoom Club (Single Edit) - 3:25

9. In For The Kill (2003 Version) - 3:31

10.Crash Course In Brain Surgery (2003 Version) (Tony Bourge, Burke Shelley, Ray Phillips) - 2:41

11.Zoom Club (2003 Version) - 6:03

All songs Tony Bourge, Burke Shelley, except where noted

Bonus Tracks 8-11

Tracks 9-11 recorded in summer 2003 by Burke Shelley, Steve Williams and Simon Lees

Disc 3 Bandolier 1975
1. Breaking All The House Rules - 7:22
2. Slipaway - 3:58
3. Who Do You Want For Your Love? - 6:08
4. I Can't See My Feelings - 5:51
5. I Ain't No Mountain (Andy Fairweather Low) - 3:35
6. Napoleon Bona (Part One) - 6:12
7. Napoleon Bona (Part Two) - 1:03
All songs by Tony Bourge, Burke Shelley, except where steted

Budgie
*Burke Shelley - Bass, Vocals
*Tony Bourge - Guitars, Vocals, Harmonica
*Ray Phillips - Drums (Disc 1)
*Pete Boot - Drums (Disc 2)
*Steve Williams – Drums (Disc 3)

1971  Budgie - Budgie (2004 bonus tracks remaster)
1972  Budgie - Squawk (2004 remaster and expanded)

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Budgie - Squawk (1972 uk, a second dose of abrasive, forceful heavy rock, 2004 remaster and expanded)

Second album Squawk featured the first sleeve illustration by Roger Dean, who developed the band’s Budgie figure into something of a Planet Of The Apes-style, armed-to-the-teeth hybrid. Burke Shelley felt it lost the humour of the original David Sparling illustration, which, curiously, another band had had first dibs over: it had been commissioned by Hawkwind and, having been rejected by them, had the head of the hawk horserider replaced by that of a budgie.

Standout track from Squawk was Hot As A Docker’s Armpit, a title Shelley picked up from something Humble Pie’s Steve Marriott once said in an interview: “You can just hear it in Cockney, can’t you?” Other highlights included Whiskey River, released as a single, which featured a double bass drum reminiscent of Ginger Baker. “When we played it live,” recalled Bourge with no little approval, “it sounded a lot heavier than on record… monstrous.”

As for the crazy song names, self-confessed “book person” Burke remained unrepentant. “If you get a working title for a song before it’s finished – like Paul McCartney’s Yesterday was Scrambled Eggs, as everyone knows – all I can say is we had a lot of scrambled eggs in our band…”

Sales of Squawk, released in 1972, were encouraging enough for MCA to sign the trio directly to the label.

by Michael ‘Bandolier’ Heatley

Tracks
1. Whiskey River - 3:23
2. Rocking Man - 5:25
3. Rolling Home Again - 1:43
4. Make Me Happy - 2:37
5. Hot as a Docker's Armpit - 5:51
6. Drugstore Woman - 3:14
7. Bottled - 1:52
8. Young Is a World - 8:07
9. Stranded - 6:17
10.Whiskey River (Single Version) - 2:39
11.Stranded (Alternate Mix) - 6:19
12.Whiskey River (2003 Version) - 3:20
13.Rolling Home Again (2004 Version) - 1:38
All songs by Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge, Ray Phillips
Bonus Tracks 10-13
Track 12 recorded in summer 2003 by Burke Shelley, Steve Williams and Simon Lees
Track 13 recorded in summer 2004 by Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge

Budgie
*Burke Shelley - Vocals, Bass, Mellotron, Piano
*Tony Bourge - Guitar
*Ray Phillips - Drums

1971  Budgie - Budgie (2004 bonus tracks remaster) 

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Budgie - Budgie (1971 uk, heavy rock development, bombastic treasures, 2004 bonus tracks remaster)

Formed in 1968, Budgie had busted their way out of South Wales with barely a backward glance. Bourge remembers: “We were going for it – so much so that we’d even have arguments with agents over money. A lot of bands wouldn’t stand their ground, thinking they didn’t want to blow gigs, but we’d go for their throat and tell them to stuff their clubs, we could get our own gigs. And we did.

“Everything was a challenge to us; we were totally dedicated. Like the Three Musketeers. One hundred per cent full on. A bit like the punks in attitude. We wanted to do well, we wanted to make albums. We had no back seat about that. We knew we’d get into a studio at some time, it was just a question of when.”

The man to help them take that step was Rodger Bain, Black Sabbath’s first producer, who later also discovered Judas Priest. He was down at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, South Wales, on a talent spotting mission when Shelley was tipped off by an agent: “They said go there, do your best but do not play any of that stuff you’ve written. Play all the hits, Yummy Yummy Yummy [a 1968 bubblegum-pop hit for Ohio Express] or whatever. So we said: ‘Yeah, yeah’. And when the others asked what we were gonna play I said: ‘All our own stuff!’”

Curiously, a fresh-faced David ‘Kid’ Jensen was the first DJ to be attracted by Budgie’s charms. “Radio Luxembourg launched us,” Shelley confirms. “Kid heard our first album, thought it was fantastic and played it and played it. He had us over there and the album took off. He was the kid with all the money, taking his mates to the fairground. That’s when I went on one of those cylinder things: you start spinning around and they take the floor away. You gotta watch it, though, when it slows down.”

Throughout the 70s, the unfashionable Budgie were as oddball as their name. Although specialising in heads-down, no-nonsense riffage, their albums all included acoustic interludes and softer songs which, by accident or design, made everything else sound even heavier. Additionally, they wrote the most ridiculous song titles ever. (Don’t waste your time looking for a better trio than You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk, In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter’s Hand, and their debut's Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman).

Frontman Burke Shelley (hair and bass, a template for Maiden’s Steve Harris, aviator spectacles rarely copied) sang in a higher-than-average register but better than Geddy Lee, with whom he is often unfairly compared. Alongside him the band’s other unique selling point was Tony Bourge, an exceptional guitarist of many stripes but seemingly happiest inventing riffs that have inspired everyone from nascent NWOBHM heroes to Josh Homme.

Lovingly covered by Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth and Soundgarden, these three Cardiff scruffbags riffed as hard as any band in metal’s early years. Perhaps their cerebral eccentricity, silly name and stylistic versatility mitigated against worldwide megastardom, but for generations Budgie have remained Cymru’s most universally respected rock band. 

The debut album, released in June 1971 has become something of a classic. As AllMusic say, "For those seriously interested in metal's development, bombastic treasures like Homicidal Suicidal, and Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman are essential listening." 

by Classic Rock, October 16, 2018

Tracks
1. Guts - 4:20
2. Everything In My Heart - 1:00
3. The Author - 6:25
4. Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman - 8:30
5. Rape Of The Locks - 6:10
6. All Night Petrol - 6:00
7. You And I - 1:45
8. Homicidal Suicidal - 6:30
9. Crash Course In Brain Surgery (Alternate Mix) - 2:36
10.Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman (Single Edit) - 4:08
11.Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman (2003 Version) - 3:45
12.Guts (2003 Version) - 3:53
All songs by by Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge, Ray Phillips
Bonus Tracks 9-12
Tracks 11-12 performed by Simon Lees, Steve Williams

Budgie
*Tony Bourge - Guitar
*Burke Shelley - Bass, Vocals, Mellotron
*Ray Phillips - Drums, Percussion

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