Freedom to Music
Posts tagged Del Watkins
Argus – Argus (1973) (@256)
25 Jan 2010
(Review from rateyourmusic.com)
Credited to Argus, this album should have be titled as an “Argus” / “Anaconda” split album because it comprises material of two very different groups. The Anaconda output is even longer than the namesake Argus’! The only member these two bands have in common is the drummer, Dave Wagstaffe.
The first band is Argus with material recorded in 1973, a typical 70s hard rock outfit. Heavy rock with powerful bass and drums and good guitar work. Sounds like “Humble Pie” (Smokin’ era), “Montrose” or “Socrates Drank the Conium”.
Second band is Anaconda with “bonus” live material recorded in 1977, a jazz-rock outfit. The general direction of the band was inspired by fusion band “Return To Forever”. A really competent rhythm section, good guitar playing and a little persistent flute participation. Yet vocals may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
A good recommendation is to listen the first 5 tracks (Argus) and the next 7 tracks (Anaconda) at seperate times.
Line-up:
- Mick Pearl / bass
- Del Watkins / guitar
- Ken Lewis / vocals
- Dave Wagstaffe / drums
- Randy Spence / guitar, vocals (6-12)
- Rod Newington / bass (6-12)
- “Mad” Reg / flute (6-12)
Track List:
01. Friend Of Mine – 5:54
02. Road Of Life – 3:26
03. Tweny-Four Hours – 6:08
04. Same Old Story – 4:03
05. Superstition – 3:44
06. Funk Song (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 6:05
07. Why Can’t They Leave Us Alone (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 4:15
08. Take No Chance (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 8:26
09. Drum Thing (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 8:23
10. Jubilee Shuffle (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 3:09
11. 77 St. Thomas Road Part 1 (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 5:15
12. 77 St. Thomas Road Part 2 (Bonus Anaconda Live) – 3:25
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Rare Amber – Rare Amber (1969) (@256)
04 Sep 2007
(Review from bandfamilytree.com)
Rare Amber formed in 1968 when two blues musicians from Bristol, Gwyn Mathias (guitar) and Chris Whiting (drums) moved to London and formed the band with Del Watkins (guitar) and John Dover (bass). After several singers the album was recorded with Roger Cairns on vocals, and Chris Whiting had been replaced on drums by Keith Whiting (no relation). The group disbanded in early 1969, “Rare Amber” released an album of the same name. In the same year the band also released a single Malfunction Of The Engine/Blind Love.
The music is a successful blend of originals and covers of compositions by blues kings like Otis Spann and B.B. King. It is made up of progressive heavy blues rock typical of the time, a psychedelic blues monster, although more psych than blues.
This edition also contains their only single as bonus tracks.
Line-up:
* Gwyn Mathias – guitar
* Del Watkins – guitar
* John Dover – bass
* Roger Cairns – vocals
* Keith Whiting – drums
Track List:
01. Malfunction Of The Engine
02. You Ain’t Made Yet
03. It Hurts Me Too
04. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
05. Night Life
06. Custom Blues
07. Popcorn Man
08. Heartbreaker
09. Solution
10. Amber Blues
11. Blues Never Die
12. Malfunction On The Engine (Bonus Single)
13. Blind Love (Bonus Single)
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