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Posts tagged John “Rabbit” Bundrick
Tony Ashton & Friends – Live At Abbey Road (2000) (@256)
27 Dec 2009
(Review from allmusic)
Coming together to honour and celebrate the career of Tony Ashton, musical guests from all eras of his work perform a blistering set of classics from Tony Ashton’s career, Whitesnake and Paice-Ashton-Lord.
Sound quality is top notch and energy levels are high. ‘Hey, this is live,’ comments Bernie Marsden after a slightly wobbly break, and this album really is vibrant with real live musical excellence.
The concert begins with the band Mash, followed by Johnny Johnson and Dave Williams. A Hardin and York (Eddie Hardin, Pete York) reunion follows which includes Geoff Whitehorn, Chris Barber, Jaz Lochrie. Zoot Money, and Eddie’s daughter Emma is up next. They are followed by Angel. Wrapping up the first half of the event is a short set of Rock (and Who) classics performed by John Entwistle, Zak Starkey, John Rabbit Bundrick and Gary Nuttall.
The second half opens with Tony Ashton himself, followed by a short acoustic set by Mickey Moody and Bernie Marsden. Afterward, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Neil Murray and Robert Hart joins them for a short set of Whitesnake songs. The finale is a mini Paice-Ashton-Lord reunion set, which includes Bernie Marsden and Howie Casey.
Line-up:
- Tony Ashton / Keyboards, Vocals
with
- Chris Barber / Trombone
- John “Rabbit” Bundrick / Keyboards
- Howie Casey / Saxophone
- John Entwistle / Bass
- Robert Hart / Vocals
- Jon Lord / Organ, Saxophone
- Bernie Marsden / Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals
- Micky Moody / Guitar
- Neil Murray / Bass, Saxophone
- Gary Nuttall / Guitar, Vocals
- Ian Paice / Drums, Saxophone
- Nigel Portman Smith / Bass
- Zak Starkey / Drums
- Geoff Whitehorn / Guitar
- Laurie Wisefield / Guitar
- Pete York / Drums
- Jeanette McKinley / Back Vocals
- Sheila McKinley / Back Vocals
Track List:
01. Introduction – 1:52
02. One Room Country Shack – 8:11
03. Mercy Mercy – 5:07
04. No Money Down – 6:35
05. Shake Rattle and Roll – 3:22
06. Ain’t Gonna Cry No More – 5:04
07. Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues – 4:56
08. Ready An Willing (Sweet Satisfaction) – 4:48
09. Ain’t No Love (In The Heart Of The City) – 7:56
10. Here I Go Again – 5:51
11. Ghost Story – 5:36
12. Sneaky Private Lee – 8:32
13. Resurrection Shuffle – 9:50
Link in comments.
Fotheringay – Fotheringay 2 (1970) (@256)
23 Dec 2008
(Review from amazon, brainwashed.com)
Fotheringay remain one of the great might-have-beens of British music. They lasted less than a year, and released just one album, but their disappearance robbed the early-’70s scene of a group of musicians capable of taking folk-rock to new heights of subtlety and musicianship.
Now, the nine songs on that debut album, assumed for almost four decades to be their sole testament, are joined by the eleven that would have constituted a follow-up. Sadly they broke up during the recording sessions for that second album. Incredibly all the tapes survived in various record company archives. After several years of careful research in dusty tape archives, the surviving members of Fotheringay have been able to complete their second album begun back in 1970.
The drums on the original recording of “Two Weeks Last Summer” was replaced and added some percussion. Harmony vocals were added to appear on different lines. For reasons unknown there wasn’t a drum track on the “Wild Mountain Thyme” recording so that was added. “Bold Jack Donahue” was extended at the end so, some tom toms to match the ones at the front of the track. Thus “Fotheringay 2″ was released.
The Sandy Denny tracks really stir the soul. Her remarkable ability to interpret a song never disappoints on this album. With all the emotion in the vocals, and all the Telecaster Pyrotechnics of the genius Donahue, it’s easy to ignore the superb foundation on which this edifice is built. British folk-rock music has provided some of the best rhythm sections in the world. Conway and Donaldson excel on this album, always supporting, always enhancing, always driving, and never overwhelming. And as to the production values, the three remaining members deserve a medal for obtaining a purity of sound that 21st century ears won’t baulk at, while retaining the essential feel and style of a ’70′s recording.
As with the first album, the different vocal styles sometimes clash and the mix of folk, rock and country may not be to everyone’s taste. Yet this record sounds fresh and vital even though Trevor Lucas has been dead for almost 20 years and his lover Sandy Denny has been gone for three decades.
Line-up:
- Gerry Conway / Percussion, Drums, Vocals
- Sandy Denny / Piano, Harmonium, Vocals, 12-String Guitar
- Jerry Donahue / Guitar, Vocals
- Pat Donaldson / Bass, Vocals
- Trevor Lucas / Guitar, Vocals
with
- Sam Donahue / Saxophone
- John “Rabbit” Bundrick / Organ
Track List:
01. John The Gun – 5:06
02. Eppie Moray – 4:44
03. Wild Mountain Thyme – 3:50
04. Knights Of The Road – 4:10
05. Late November – 4:39
06. Restless – 2:48
07. Gypsy Davey – 3:41
08. I Don’t Believe You – 4:45
09. Silver Threads and Golden Needles – 4:30
10. Bold Jack Donahue – 7:38
11. Two Weeks Last Summer – 3:51
Link in comments.
Crawler – Live at the Paradise Club Boston Gig #2 (1978) (@256)
22 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
Recorded in 1978, this is the second gig from the Paradise Club, Boston.
Line-up:
- Terry Slesser / vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / guitar
- John Rabbit Bundrick / keyboards
- Terry Wilson / bass
- Tony Braunagel / drums
Track List:
01. Radio Introduction – 0:29
02. Without You Babe – 3:43
03. Sail On – 4:52
04. Disc Heroes – 3:29
05. How Will You Break My Heart – 4:50
06. Where Is The Money – 4:22
07. You And Me – 8:39
08. One Way Street – 4:47
09. Blue Soul – 9:08
10. Selfish Lover – 3:49
11. Radio Announcer – 0:23
Link in comments.
Crawler – Live at the Nottingham Boat Club (1978) (@256)
21 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
Recorded in 1978, this is the Crawler gig at the Nottingham Boat Club.
Line-up:
- Terry Slesser / vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / guitar
- John Rabbit Bundrick / keyboards
- Terry Wilson / bass
- Tony Braunagel / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Sail On – 5:11
02. Disc Heroes – 3:22
03. Where Is The Money – 5:14
04. You And Me – 7:09
05. Muddy Water – 4:32
06. How Will You Break My Heart – 4:45
07. Keep On Running – 5:35
08. Blues My Guitar – 8:06
CD2
01. Liar – 4:50
02. The Shape I’m In – 3:48
03. First Class Operator – 4:15
04. One Way Street – 4:51
05. Stone Cold Sober – 7:20
06. Selfish Lover – 5:35
07. Blue Soul – 13:10
Links in comments.
Crawler – Live at Agora Club (1978) (@256)
20 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
This live recording at the “Agora Club” from 1978, was the first-ever band authorised live album.
Line-up:
- Terry Slesser / vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / guitar
- John Rabbit Bundrick / keyboards
- Terry Wilson / bass
- Tony Braunagel / drums
Track List:
01. Without You Babe – 3:23
02. You Got Money – 3:20
03. Keep On Running – 5:02
04. You And Me – 6:30
05. You Are My Saviour – 4:48
06. Pastime Dreamer – 4:34
07. Never Loved A Woman – 4:28
08. Blues My Guitar – 6:26
09. Worn Out Dream – 4:29
10. Stone Cold Sober – 3:33
11. Blue Soul – 10:23
12. Selfish Lover – 3:23
Links in comments.
Crawler – Snakebite Live (1978) (@256)
19 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
(Review from dmme.net)
By 1978, when this recording was made, Crawler stood extremely tight to shoot for funky “How Will You Do It?” or Otis Blackwell’s classic “The Shape I’m In”. But there wasn’t that much of blues anymore, exemplifying Crawler’s jazzy approach. Terry Slesser’s voice excels bouncing easily off Rabbit’s bar piano in “Keep On Running”.
Always behind big names, John Bundrick proves himself an artful composer and keyboards virtuoso in one short organ solo, like one of “One Way Street”, pushing feelings to the edge. Complementing him, Whitehorn runs for edgy riffs too to make “You Got Money” angular enough, Terry Wilson’s bass smoothing off the spikes.
With all this, Sex Pistols’ “Liar” doesn’t come as the major surprise demonstrating mainstream group’s broad view on music, not only punk heroes’ gift for a tunesmithery, vocal harmonies and Tony Braunagel’s imaginative drumming underscoring the song’s pop catchiness.
There’s always something special, like “Sail On”, which equals its Free namesake and blistering boogie “First Class Operator”. Then, creeping “Stone Cold Sober” bites no less than “Stone Cold Fever” – even now, shaking, rattling and rolling down the years.
Recorded live in Denver in 1978, the “Snakebite” album shows what discipline makes to a band.
Line-up:
- Terry Slesser / vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / guitar
- John Rabbit Bundrick / keyboards
- Terry Wilson / bass
- Tony Braunagel / drums
Track List:
01. Keep On Runnin’ – 5:42
02. Sail On – 5:31
03. One Way Street – 5:02
04. Where Is The Money – 4:53
05. Muddy Walters – 4:49
06. Liar – 4:48
07. How Will You Do It – 4:30
08. The Shape I’m In – 3:26
09. First Class Operator – 3:51
10. Stone Cold Sober – 7:49
Link in comments.
Crawler – Pastime Dreamer (Live 1977) (@256)
18 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
(Review from travellersintime.com)
Recorded live in 1977, the “Pastime Dreamer” album showcases yet another solid performance by the underrated classic rock band Crawler.
Bundrick’s keyboard adventures shines with plenty of cool intros, solos, moog, hammond, etc… The band seems to be enjoying playing together, as on the extended “Blue Soul”. Crawler could go from funky tunes to blues to rock, with a number of great tunes like “Where Is The Money”, “Devil Run”, “Never Loved A Woman” and the lead off track “How Will You Break My Heart”.
13 tunes, as well as a bonus radio interview segment makes you craving more for Crawler shows.
Line-up:
- Terry Slesser / vocals
- Geoff Whitehorn / guitar
- John Rabbit Bundrick / keyboards
- Terry Wilson / bass
- Tony Braunagel / drums
Track List:
01. How Will You Break My Heart – 5:14
02. Where Is The Money – 4:40
03. You And Me – 9:13
04. Devil Run – 4:52
05. The Shape I’m In – 3:30
06. First Class Operator – 3:41
07. Sold On Down The Line – 3:22
08. Pastime Dreamer – 4:26
09. Never Loved A Woman – 3:56
10. Blues My Guitar – 6:50
11. Blue Soul – 11:42
12. Worn Out Dream – 4:44
13. Stone Cold Sober – 7:38
14. Radio Interviews (Bonus) – 3:07
Links in comments.
Crawler – Demo Anthology (1975-78) (@256)
17 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
(Review from musictap.net)
This is an album of demos recorded between 1975 and 1978. This collection of songs, largely unfinished yet containing an essence of blues rock, highlights the greatness of the band that was unable to fully realize their potential during their time. Taken from unfinished songs ‘in the can’, “Demo Anthology” gives us more, not only of what we missed but also a glimpse into the song crafting process that Crawler employed.
18 songs are on this album, filed in the year that the demo (song) was recorded. With this, we are afforded a rare view into the extraordinary output of Crawler as the band prepared to rehearse for their first and then their second release shortly thereafter.
Selections include the demos for “Sail On” and “First Class Operator”, which were eventually finished and made it onto their second album. There are other songs that were demoed for the Snake sessions but didn’t make it onto the final product. You can call these gems extended jams because that is what they turned out to be. The importance of this album is that it gives up songs that would never be chosen (for the most part). It’s like getting another Crawler album. The stuff is unrefined but if you’re a fan, who cares.
Listening to the early 75 -76 songs is pure Crawler output. These songs were good enough to be released and they rock. With the world much poorer for only 2 official Crawler releases at their time, albums like these help to fill the void.
Line-up:
- Tony Braunagel / vocals
- Terry Slesser / bass
- Geoff Whitehorn / guitar
- Terry Wilson / drums
Track List:
01. Sweet, Sweet Judy (1975 – TW Studios) – 3:40
02. Cold, Cold, World (1976 – Welsh) – 4:44
03. Evening Time (1976 – Welsh) – 5:28
04. Sit Down Easy (1976 – Welsh) – 4:03
05. Crazy Women (1976 – LA) – 4:17
06. The Music’s Mine (Instrumental Version)(1977 – Notting Hill) – 6:35
07. Poor Man (1977 – Notting Hill) – 3:45
08. Sweet Sister (1977 – Notting Hill) – 4:04
09. Red Beans And Rice (1977 – Notting Hill) – 4:18
10. Tony’s Blues (1977 – Decca) – 5:08
11. Red Beans (Instrumental) (1977 – Decca)1:57
12. Direct South (1977 – Decca) – 4:58
13. Sail On (1977 – Decca) – 5:15
14. Alone Baby (1978 – St John’s Wood) – 3:12
15. How Do You Live Your Life? (1978 – St John’s Wood) – 3:24
16. Jesus (1978 – St John’s Wood) – 4:33
17. 1st Class Operator (1978 – St John’s Wood) – 3:44
18. Burning In The Fire (1978 – St John’s Wood) – 5:12
Links in comments.
Crawler – Roots Chapter 1 : A Pre-History of (@256)
16 Jun 2008
Thanks to ldicker1 for the contribution.
(Review from angelair.force9.co.uk)
The story of Paul Kossoff often tells us that he put together Back Street Crawler and after his death the band evolved into a tighter, funkier Crawler once guitarist Geoff Whitehorn was added. While this is in many ways true, the factual history of the band is more involved, and goes back much further.
This album represents a pre-history of the band, prior to the formation of the Paul Kossoff version. The recordings here come from an unfinished project leading up almost to the forming of Back Street Crawler but featuring the rhythm section of that band: Rabbit Bundrick, Terry Wilson and Tony Brunagel.
Recorded between 1972 & 1977, most of band’s pre-histories often only include a few aborted attempts at demos but here there is an opportunity to hear a more involved and evolved growth. Years before Crawler, the three main musicians produced a fine selection of recorded music. Even now they remain in touch and friends.
Line-up:
- John Rabbit Bundrick / vocals, keyboards
- Glen Gibson / vocals
- Bob Welch / guitar
- Terry Wilson / bass
- Tony Braunagle / drums
Track List:
01. Better Be Ready – 4:27
02. Crazy – 3:06
03. Every Little Bit Hurts – 4:16
04. First Time Last Time – 2:47
05. Get The Feeling – 5:28
06. Half Alive – 4:17
07. I’ll Be Doggone – 3:30
08. Young Cassidy – 2:47
09. Gonna Change Directions – 3:17
10. Every Little Bit Hurts – 4:41
11. Stuck In The Middle – 2:12
12. Sing A Song – 3:39
13. We Won – 4:42
14. We All Need Love – 3:00
15. The 3 Of Us – 3:27
16. Terry’s Acoustic – 3:18
17. Unseen Love – 7:06
18. Better Be Ready (Alternate 1984 Version) – 3:24
Links in comments.
Crawler – Snake Rattle and Roll (1978) (@320)
20 Apr 2008
(Info from wikipedia, procolharum.com)
The band released Snake Rattle and Roll in 1978, a slightly more commercial album targeting mainly the US market. The album received a lot of airplay, but limited sales. “How Will You Break My Heart” and “Where Is The Money?”; broken hearts and money, or lack of it, were themes in many of Crawler’s songs.
An exhaustive series of live performances found Crawler as support band for the likes of Robin Trower, Cheap Trick, and Foreigner and a 54 date tour across the USA as support band for Kansas. At the end of a USA tour in December 1978, keyboard player John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick left to work with “The Who” and the band folded soon after.
Line-up:
* Terry Slesser / Vocals
* Geoff Whitehorn / Guitar
* Tony Braunagel / Drums, Vocals
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick / Keyboards
* Terry Wilson / Bass
Track List:
01. Sail On – 3:59
02. Disc Heroes – 3:20
03. How Will You Break My Heart – 3:43
04. Muddy Water – 4:07
05. First Class Operator – 3:30
06. Where Is The Money – 4:24
07. Hold On – 1:43
08. Midnight Blues – 4:18
09. Liar – 3:40
10. One Way Street – 4:45
Link in comments.
Crawler – Crawler (1977) (@320)
19 Apr 2008
(Review from wikipedia, procolharum.com)
Crawler was a band created from the ashes of “Back Street Crawler”, following the death of guitarist, Paul Kossoff. Atlantic Records suggested the band continue with another well-known guitarist, ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor or they’d be dropped. Despite being broke, they declined, instead recruiting Geoff Whitehorn, previously with the band “If”.
The band abbreviated their name to Crawler, and the eponymous first album, Crawler, was released in 1977 on Epic. Despite being well-written, superbly recorded, and receiving good reviews, it struggled in the year of disco, punk rock and new wave.
The band toured the UK with Boxer and Moon in a successful three-band package tour. Their distinctive live sound was dominated by Whitehorn’s guitar and Rabbit’s swirling keyboards.
Line-up:
* Terry Slesser / Vocals
* Geoff Whitehorn / Guitar
* Tony Braunagel / Drums, Vocals
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick / Keyboards
* Terry Wilson / Bass
with
* Ted Bunting / Saxophone
* Chris Wood / Flute
* Tony Carr / Percussion
* Stevie Lange / Vocals
Track List:
01. Without You Baby
02. You Got Money
03. Sold On Down The Line
04. One Too Many Lovers
05. You Are My Saviour
06. Pastime Dreamer
07. Never Loved A Woman
08. You And Me
09. Stone Cold Sober
Link in comments.
Jethro Tull – Nightcap Unreleased Masters (1973-1991) (@320)
14 Dec 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
This outtakes album covering the period from 1973 to 1991 contains work from the sessions which ultimately led to “A Passion Play”, plus later material, some of which saw the light of day in different formats on other albums. The collection is in two distinct parts. CD1, subtitled “The Chateau d’Isaster Tapes”, was recorded in France in 1973, between the release of “Thick as a Brick” and “A Passion Play”, while CD2 is a more eclectic gathering of tracks omitted from the various Tull albums released up to 1991.
“Chateau d’Isaster Tapes” that’s being called this way by Ian Anderson due to the process by which this record was made. The infamous 1973 recording sessions at The Chateau D’Herouville, near Paris, were never completed due to ill-health, technical and production problems, and the sudden decision of the band to return to the UK from temporary and ill-advised tax exile. Rather than continue with the Chateau Tapes, the band decided to begin with a virtually new work which quickly became the more down-beat and controversial “A Passion Play”.
In some ways, these recordings are a bit of a tease. While they are largely complete in themselves, they come across at times as disjointed in this context. Some additional dubbing (mainly flute) was added around 1991, but these are essentially the tracks as they were originally laid down. Although some of the music found its way onto “A Passion Play”, “War Child”, and “Minstrel in the Gallery” in different guises, these recordings have much more in common with “Thick as a Brick”. The performances have all the qualities which made “Thick As A Brick” such an essential album.
CD2 is a different story, but is nonetheless interesting and worthy of investigation. Here we have a collection of disconnected tracks from the 1970s through to the early 90′s, which were omitted from the albums for which they were intended for a variety of reasons (“Rock Island,” “Catfish Rising”, “Broadsword And The Beast” and “Too Old To Rock And Roll”). Some were too similar to other tracks already on the albums, while others were considered too radically different to the other tracks. What is undeniable though is that these tracks are in many cases equal to, and occasionally superior to, those tracks which were selected. “A small cigar” is interesting, as it was apparently dropped by Anderson because of its pro-smoking implications! Other highlights of this set include the lighter “Broadford Bazaar” and the classically (Bach) based “Man of Principle”.
While the ever present Ian Anderson appears on all tracks and Martin Barre only misses a couple, the consistency of the first disc is notably absent. This can be attributed in part to the line up changes the band experienced over the period, and perhaps more significantly to Anderson’s enforced change of vocal style during the 80′s. as a result of illness.
Line-up:
CD1
- Ian Anderson / flute, balalaika, mandolin, Hammond organ, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Martin Barre / electric guitar
- John Evans / celeste, piano
- Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond / bass, backing vocals
- Barriemore Barlow / drums
CD2:
- Ian Anderson / flute, mouth organ, claghorn, piano, vocals, harmonica, mandolin
- Martin Barre / electric guitar, marimba (1-8, 10-14, 16-18)
- Barriemore Barlow / drums, percussion (1, 2, 4)
- John Evans / piano (1, 2, 4)
- Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond / bass (1, 2, 4)
- David Palmer / keyboards, orchestra conductor (4, 9)
- Dave Pegg / bass, mandolins, vocals (3, 5-8, 10-14, 16, 18)
- Gerry Conway / drums, percussion (6, 7, 10-13, 16)
- Peter-John Vettese / piano, synthesizer (6, 13)
- Doane Perry / drums (3, 5, 8, 14)
with
- John Bundrick / piano, Hammond B-3 organ (3, 5, 8)
- Scott Hunter / drums (17)
- Matthew Pegg / bass (17)
Track List:
CD1
01. First Post (1:54)
02. Animelée (1:41)
03. Tiger Toon (1:36)
04. Look At The Animals (5:09)
05. Law Of The Bungle (2:32)
06. Law Of The Bungle Part II (5:26)
07. Left Right (5:01)
08. Solitaire (1:25)
09. Critique Oblique (9:03)
10. Post Last (5:35)
11. Scenario (3:26)
12. Audition (2:34)
13. No Rehearsal (5:12)
CD2
01. Paradise Steakhouse (4:01)
02. Sealion II (3:21)
03. Piece Of Cake (3:40)
04. Quartet (2:45)
05. Silver River Turning (4:52)
06. Crew Nights (4:33)
07. The Curse (3:39)
08. Rosa On The Factory Floor (4:38)
09. A Small Cigar (3:39)
10. Man Of Principle (3:57)
11. Commons Brawl (3:24)
12. No Step (3:38)
13. Drive On The Young Side Of Life (4:13)
14. I Don’t Want To Be Me (3:29)
15. Broadford Bazaar (3:38)
16. Lights Out (5:16)
17. Truck Stop Runner (3:47)
18. Hard Liner (3:47)
Links in comments.
Jethro Tull – Catfish Rising (1991) (@256)
13 Dec 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
“Catfish Rising” is Jethro Tull’s first album from the nineties.
One of the most notable improvements this album has over its immediate predecessors is the production- it’s very organic sounding, with a welcome return of the acoustic guitar and mandolins that so characterised their best work in the 70s. It’s also good to hear some ‘real’ drums after the clinical nightmare of the syn drums, and keyboards thankully at last take a back seat. More importantly, the quality of songs here is a massive improvement over the undistinguished ‘Rock Island’- whilst there are perhaps fewer classics than ‘Crest Of A Knave’ had, this is a far more consistent and satisfying album.
The album returns slightly to ‘Stand Up’, with its rock songs tinged with folk and blues. There are a few tracks that continue the hard rock momentum of the previous albums, such as the storming opener ‘This Is Not Love’ which erupts from the speakers from the get-go due to the punchy drumming of Doane Perry and a catchy hook to accompany Martin Barre’s rock solid riffing. ‘Occasional Demons’ is in a fairly similar mould and again is a reasonably strong track.
Elsewhere, there is a return to the blues roots the band started out with. Indeed, the closing ‘When Jesus Came To Play’ is practically ‘This Was’ in style! The over-the-top innuendo of ‘Roll Yer Own’ is a wonderfully realised bottleneck blues parody, harking back to the days where euphemisms like ‘jelly roll’ were commonplace due to the wonderful acoustic guitar and mandolin strumming alongside Anderson’s vocal performance.
‘Doctor To My Disease’ lyrically occupies the same space, but is an altogether heavier track with some scorching electric guitar riffs and flute work. Anderson hams it right up with ‘Like A Tall Thin Girl’- the mandolin driven riff takes you right back to ‘Fat Man’, but has some of the most ham-handed double entendres this side of David Coverdale you’ll ever hear! ‘Sleeping With The Dog’ continues this overall theme, a loping blues ballad with some fine flute playing. The plaintive acoustic balladry of ‘Still Loving You Tonight’ shows a rather more sensitive side, however, and has some very fine acoustic guitar leads from Martin Barre. ‘Gold Tipped Boots…’ is a lot of fun, with more jaunty flutes and mandolins.
There are a few songs that occupy the folkier territory of their late 70s work, such as the acoustically driven ‘Rocks On The Road’, whilst the wacky ‘Thinking Round Corners’ wouldn’t have disgraced ‘Songs From The Wood’ with its propulsive flute motif and a gleefully crazed vocal performance that harks back to wonderful classics such as ‘The Whistler’.
The oft-brought up criticisms of Tull in this period of how they were sounding too much like Dire Straits only comes into play once with ‘White Innocence’, one of those storyteller tracks like Dire Straits’ ‘Romeo And Juliet’.
The band sound recharged, yet have in a sense gone back to their acoustic roots and sound far more comfortable there. What’s more, the subsequent studio album ‘Roots To Branches’ continued the momentum and was even better.
Line-up:
- Ian Anderson / flute, acoustic mandolin, electric mandolin, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, harmonica, percussion, vocals, drums and keyboards
- Martin Barre / electric guitar
- Dave Pegg / bass, acoustic bass
- Doane Perry / drums, percussion
with
- Andy Giddings / keyboards on tracks 1, 4 and 8
- Foss Paterson / keyboards on track 10
- John “Rabbit” Bundrick / keyboards on track 11
- Matt Pegg / bass on tracks 1, 4 and 7
- Scott Hunter / drums on track 7
Track List:
01. This Is Not Love (3:57)
02. Occasional Demons (3:49)
03. Roll Yer Own (4:26)
04. Rocks On The Road (5:32)
05. Sparrow On The Schoolyard Wall (5:22)
06. Thinking Round Corners (3:32)
07. Still Loving You Tonight (4:32)
08. Doctor To My Disease (4:35)
09. Like A Tall Thin Girl (3:38)
10. White Innocence (7:44)
11. Sleeping With The Dog (4:26)
12. Gold-Tipped Boots, Black Jacket and Tie (3:41)
13. When Jesus Came To Play (5:03)
Links in comments.
Who – Endless Wire (2006) (@256)
03 Jul 2007
(Review from amazon)
Nearly a quarter-century (and bassist John Entwistle) passed between what had been considered the Who’s career-capping album, It’s Hard, and this 19-song epic. Built from the triumph of the mini-opera Wire & Glass EP (included here in its entirety), Endless Wire mixes metaphors of music, war, and religion, while showcasing Roger Daltrey’s ageless vocal cords and Pete Townshend at his windmilling best.
Launching with a “Baba O’Riley”-like synth break in “Fragments,” Daltrey asks “Are we breathing out or breathing in?” and Townshend answers with a thrashing, crashing Gibson. When the volume is turned up, there are echoes of three decades ago. “It’s Not Enough” and “Mike Post Theme” conjure images of Entwistle and Keith Moon–the latter song, with its quiet verse and thunderous chorus, recalls “Going Mobile” and longs for Moon to whack it into shape. But the linchpin remains Townshend’s songwriting, whether he’s questioning faith (“Man in a Purple Dress”), showing gratitude for support (“You Stand By Me”), or dreaming of entertaining immortals into eternity (“Out on an Endless Wire”).
By the time it wraps up, Endless Wire turns out to be far better than anyone could have (or should have) expected.
This edition comes with a bonus live CD, recorded at the Vienne Amphitheatre on 17 July 2006.
Line-up:
* Roger Daltrey – lead vocals
* Pete Townshend – guitars, vocals, bass guitar, drums, piano and keyboards, violin, banjo, mandolin, drum machine
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick – hammond organ
* Zak Starkey – drums (on “Black Widow’s Eyes”)
* Pino Palladino – bass guitar
* Peter Huntington – drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Fragments – 3:58
02. A Man in a Purple Dress – 4:14
03. Mike Post Theme – 4:28
04. In the Ether – 3:35
05. Black Widow’s Eyes – 3:07
06. Two Thousand Years – 2:50
07. God Speaks of Marty Robbins – 3:26
08. It’s Not Enough – 4:02
09. You Stand by Me – 1:36
10. Wire & Glass: Sound Round – 1:21
11. Wire & Glass: Pick Up the Peace – 1:28
12. Wire & Glass: Unholy Trinity – 2:07
13. Wire & Glass: Trilby’s Piano – 2:04
14. Wire & Glass: Endless Wire – 1:51
15. Wire & Glass: Fragments of Fragments – 2:23
16. Wire & Glass: We Got a Hit – 1:18
17. Wire & Glass: They Made My Dream Come True – 1:13
18. Wire & Glass: Mirror Door – 4:14
19. Wire & Glass: Tea & Theatre – 3:24
20. We Got a Hit (Bonus extended version) – 3:03
21. Endless Wire (Bonus extended version) – 3:03
CD2 (Bonus Live at Lyon)
01. The Seeker – 2:36
02. Who Are You – 6:58
03. Mike Post Theme – 3:55
04. Relay – 7:40
05. Greyhound Girl – 3:04
06. Naked Eye – 8:26
07. Won’t Get Fooled Again/Old Red Wine – 10:40
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Who – Live at Royal Albert Hall (2000) (@256)
01 Jul 2007
(Review from allmusic.com, wikipedia)
After completing the tour of North America in December, 1982, Townshend spent part of 1983 trying to write material for the next studio Who album. By the end of 1983, however, Townshend had declared himself unable to generate material which he felt was appropriate for The Who and he issued a public statement in December, 1983, wherein he announced his decision to leave The Who. With Townshend formally ending The Who as an entity producing new music. Over the years, The Who re-united many times for various concerts.
“Live at the Royal Albert Hall” captures a charity concert for a cancer organization the reunited group performed in November of 2000. This is an exceptional reunion concert, finding the band at their strongest since their early-’80s breakup. Supported by drummer Zak Starkey and longtime keyboardist John “Rabbit” Bundrick, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and John Entwistle sound reinvigorated, playing such standards as “I Can’t Explain” and “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere” with vigor and energy, as if they haven’t played them countless times. The group also stretches out, as Townshend contributes a new bridge to “The Kids Are Alright” and the band jams through “Magic Bus,” “5:15,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” showing both dexterity and muscle. While nobody would mistake this show with the careening power and unpredictability of the band at their peak in the ’60s and ’70s, this is an impressive mix of maturity, professionalism, and passion, finding the group regaining their sense of authority and integrity. At three discs, this is a bit long, but for those longtime fans, there’s plenty to like here. After all, it’s very rare for a reunion album to be this good, and it’s even rarer to have one with cameos as good as those here — Townshend’s duet with Paul Weller on “So Sad About Us” and two songs fronted by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder (“I’m One,” “Getting in Tune”) are as good as those songs by Daltrey, and help make Live at the Royal Albert Hall a really pleasant surprise.
The bonus CD features four songs from The Who’s last concert with John Entwistle before his death, from February 8, 2002.
Line-up:
* John Entwistle – Bass, Vocals
* Roger Daltrey – Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
* Pete Townshend – Guitar, Vocals
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick – Keyboards
* Zak Starkey – Drums
Track List:
CD1
01. I Can’t Explain
02. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
03. Pinball Wizard
04. Relay
05. My Wife
06. The Kids Are Alright
07. Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand
08. Bargain
09. Magic Bus
10. Who Are You
11. Baba O’Riley [ft. Nigel Kennedy]
CD2
01. Drowned
02. Heart to Hang Onto
03. So Sad About Us [ft. Paul Weller]
04. I’m One [ft. Eddie Vedder]
05. Gettin’ in Tune [ft. Eddie Vedder]
06. Behind Blue Eyes [ft. Bryan Adams]
07. You Better You Bet
08. The Real Me
09. 5:15
10. Won’t Get Fooled Again [ft. Noel Gallagher]
11. Substitute [ft. Kelly Jones]
12. Let’s See Action [ft. Eddie Vedder]
13. My Generation
14. See Me, Feel Me [ft. Bryan Adams & Eddie Vedder]
CD3 (Bonus Tracks)
01. I’m Free
02. I Don’t Even Know Myself
03. Summertime Blues
04. Young Man Blues
Links in comments.
Who – Face Dances (1981) (@256)
29 Jun 2007
(Review from allmusic.com)
The Who began touring later in 1979, but the tour’s momentum was crushed when 11 attendees at the group’s December 3, 1979, concert at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum were trampled to death in a rush for choice festival seating. The band wasn’t informed of the incident until after the concert was finished, and the tragedy deflated whatever goodwill they had.
Following the Cincinnati concert, the Who slowly fell apart. Townshend became addicted to cocaine, heroin, tranquilizers, and alcohol, suffering a near-fatal overdose in 1981. Meanwhile, Entwistle and Daltrey soldiered on in their solo careers. The band reconvened in 1981 to record and release Face Dances, their first album since Moon’s death.
Without Keith Moon, the Who may have lacked the restless firepower that distinguished their earlier albums, but Face Dances had some of Pete Townshend’s best, most incisive compositions since Quadrophenia.
Line-up:
* Roger Daltrey – vocals, harmonica
* Pete Townshend – guitars, keyboards, vocals
* John Entwistle – bass guitar, vocals
* Kenney Jones – drums
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick – keyboards, synthesizer
Track List:
01. You Better You Bet – 5:36
02. Don’t Let Go the Coat – 3:43
03. Cache Cache – 3:57
04. The Quiet One (Entwistle) – 3:09
05. Did You Steal My Money – 4:10
06. How Can You Do It Alone – 5:26
07. Daily Records – 3:27
08. You (Entwistle) – 4:30
09. Another Tricky Day – 4:55
10. I Like Nightmares (Bonus) – 3:09
11. It’s In You (Bonus) – 4:59
12. Somebody Saved Me (Bonus) – 5:31
13. How Can You Do It Alone (Bonus Live) – 5:24
14. The Quiet One (Bonus Live) – 4:28
Links in comments.
Back Street Crawler – Second Street (1976) (@192)
24 Mar 2007
(Info from wikipedia/sleeve)
After a month of recovery, Paul Kossoff was back on his feet again. Montgomery was replaced by ex-Free keyboard player John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick. Just before the recording sessions for the next album ‘Second Street’, Kossoff fell over and broke his finger. After a few weeks of sitting around, recording of the follow-up album took place whilst the band were in Los Angeles.
Kossoff died of a heart attack on an overnight flight from Los Angeles to New York on 19 March 1976, at an age of 25.
Back Street Crawler continued, under the name Crawler, with Geoff Whitehorn on guitar, but they were dropped by Atlantic after failing to replace Kossoff with a big name.
Line-up:
* Terry Slesser – vocals
* Paul Kossoff – guitar
* Terry Wilson – bass
* John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick – keyboards
* Tony Braunagel – drums
Track List:
01. Selfish Lover
02. Blue Soul
03. Stop Doing What You’re Doing
04. Raging River
05. Some Kind of Happy
06. Sweet, Sweet Beauty
07. Just for You
08. On Your Life
09. Leaves in the Wind
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Free – Talking of Heartbreaker (Bootleg) (1972) (@320)
21 Mar 2007
Live at Coatham, on October 12 1972
Gypsy Eye Bootleg
Line-up:
* Paul Rodgers – Vocals
* Paul Kossoff – Guitar
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick – Keyboards
* Tetsu Yamauchi – Bass
* Simon Kirke – Drums
Track List:
01. I’m On The Run
02. Heartbreaker
03. Soldier Boy
04. Come Together in the Morning
05. Everyday I Have The Blues
06. Child
07. Wishing Well
08. Seven Angels
09. Fire and Water
10. All Right Now.
Links in comments.
Free – Heartbreaker (1972) (@320)
20 Mar 2007
(Info from wikipedia)
Heartbreaker was the final album of Free. It was recorded in late 1972 after bassist Andy Fraser had left the band and while guitarist Paul Kossoff was ailing from an addiction to Mandrax (contemporary photographs show him looking gaunt and emaciated), and features a different line up to previous albums: Tetsu Yamauchi was brought in to replace Fraser, while John “Rabbit” Bundrick became the band’s keyboard player to compensate for the increasingly unreliable Kossoff (singer Paul Rodgers played keyboards on the previous album Free At Last, but was nowhere near as proficient a player as Bundrick). Both Yamauchi and Bundrick had played with Kossoff and drummer Simon Kirke on the album Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu & Rabbit during that period in late 1971 where the band had broken up.
One immediate effect of Fraser’s departure was the loss of the Fraser/Rodgers songwriting partnership that had hitherto provided the bulk of the band’s catalogue. Hence many of the songs were written solely by Rodgers, although some are credited to the entire band as a symbolic gesture (including the single ‘Wishing Well’). Bundrick wrote two of the album’s eight tracks.
Yamauchi had only a very minor influence in the band; the Japanese bassist was unfamiliar with the English language and in any case was unwilling to jeopardise playing in a relatively well-known and well-regarded British band. Bundrick, on the other hand, was more volatile and frequently clashed with Rodgers just as Fraser had done: they even once had a fist-fight in a London restaurant.
Despite the success of the album and impending tour of America, it finally became apparent that the band had passed the point of no return. Kossoff spiralled to his lowest ebb and was unable to go to America; he was replaced with Wendell Richardson from Osibisa. He proved to be a poor choice, and eventually the band finally gave up. Rodgers and Kirke formed Bad Company with Mick Ralphs (formerly of Mott the Hoople) and Boz Burrell (formerly of King Crimson); Yamauchi joined the Faces; Bundrick became a session musician and eventually became a regular keyboard player with the Who; Kossoff tried to form his own band Back Street Crawler.
Line-up:
* Paul Rodgers – Vocals
* Paul Kossoff – Guitar
* John “Rabbit” Bundrick – Keyboards
* Tetsu Yamauchi – Bass
* Simon Kirke – Drums
Track List:
01. Wishing Well
02. Come Together In The Morning
03. Travellin’ In Style
04. Heartbreaker
05. Muddy Water
06. Common Mortal Man
07. Easy On My Soul
08. Seven Angels
09. Wishing Well (Bonus US Mix)
10. Let Me Show You (Bonus Single B-Side)
11. Muddy Water (Bonus Alternate Vocal)
12. Hand Me Down. Turn Me Around (Bonus)
13. Heartbreaker (Bonus Rehearsal Version)
14. Easy On My Soul (Bonus Rehearsal Version)
Links in comments.
Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu, Rabbit – Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu, Rabbit (1971) (@256)
17 Mar 2007
(Review from amazon.co.uk, wikipedia)
While Rodgers and Fraser pursued unsuccessful solo projects, Kossoff and Kirke teamed up with Texan keyboard player John “Rabbit” Bundrick and Japanese bass player Tetsu Yamauchi to release the 1971 album Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit.
The Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit album is much underrated, probably because people see it as a side-project to Free, and consequently of little importance. It’s worth remembering that when the album was made, Free had broken up, so Kossoff and Kirke saw this as their ‘real’ band when they were recording it. The material is excellent, ranging from John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick’s unique songs to Simon Kirke’s balladry and the haunting Paul Kossoff composition ‘Colours’, on which Kossoff himself takes a rare lead vocal. Add stirling performances from all four members – particularly Koss and Rabbit – and you have an album which can stand proud alongside other albums by Free.
Track List:
01. Bluegrass
02. Sammy’s Alright
03. Anna
04. Just For The Box
05. Hold On
06. Fool’s Life
07. Yellow House
08. Dying Fire
09. I’m On The Run
10. Colours
Link in comments.
