This review is part of my Series "SOUNDS
GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" Download Book available
to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software
to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my
Author's Page for this and other related publications:
At the pimply age of 15 -
Surrey-born Anthony 'Top' Topham stepped onto stage in May 1963 at the Eel Pie
Island Club in Twickenham with his new wailing blues-band THE YARDBIRDS. A few
months later he was replaced with Eric Clapton and after that - a certain Jeff
Beck and Jimmy Page also joined that volatile crew. When you consider what a
staggering influence CREAM, JEFF BECK, THE YARDBIRDS and LED ZEPPELIN have had
on everything in rock then and now - it's a damn shame that Top Topham got
musically lost in the mix somehow and has never been given the catalyst credit
he so deserves. Maybe this superb and slightly odd release will change all
that.
UK released September 2008 – “The
Complete Blue Horizon Sessions” by TOP TOPHAM on Sony/BMG 886973590829 is a
single-CD based around his obscure sole album “Ascension Heights” for the UK
cult label Blue Horizon released in
early 1970.
It boasts top-quality remastered STEREO sound and 7 previously unreleased MONO bonus cuts.
It boasts top-quality remastered STEREO sound and 7 previously unreleased MONO bonus cuts.
Here's the breakdown (59:43
minutes)
1. Sawbuck
2. Mini-Minor-Mo
3. Hop House
4. Ridin’ The Blinds
5. Hot Ginger
6. Funks Elegy
7. Ascension Heights [Side 2]
8. Tuxedo Junction
9. Globetrottin’
10. Spider Drag
11. Mean Old Pullman
12. How Sweet It Is (To Be
Loved By You)
Tracks 1 to 12 are
"Ascension Heights” - his only vinyl LP released on Blue Horizon Records
7-63857 in January 1970 (recorded in London at CBS STUDIOS in October 1969)
Tracks 13 and 14 are
"Christmas Cracker" and "Cracking Up Over Christmas" - his
lone UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3167 released November 1969
Track 15 is "Hop House"
which is a previously unreleased live BBC session recorded at The Paris Theatre
in London on 8 January 1970 for the Blue
Horizon Hour on the JOHN PEEL SHOW. It was aired 11 January 1970 on BBC
Radio and is a slow blues tune with lovely fretwork from Top complimented by
tasty keyboard rolls from PETE WINGFIELD (then with another BH signing Jellybread).
Tracks 16 to 19 are “Heart Of
Stone”, “You Gonna Ruin Me Baby”, “Long And Lonely Year’ and “Anything For You”
- previously unreleased tracks recorded in May 1969 by then unknown Blue
Horizon signing - LLOYD WATSON – a very talented 20-year old guitar player
(Jamaican mother and English Dad) who looked and played a little like Shuggie
Otis meets Peter Green. "You're Gonna Ruin Me Baby" is a rocking
Leslie Johnson/Jerry West cover version while the other three are Lloyd Watson
originals.
The tapes were transferred
and remastered by SEAN LYNCH at Torch Music and the sound quality is gorgeous -
really clear and clean - all the instruments given a fab new lease of life. The
12-page booklet has detailed liner notes and stories about Topham's life by the
label founder MIKE VERNON, colour and black & white photos from the period,
full session discographies and it even sports a dapper card wrap sleeve on the
outside that gives the whole package a real air of class and event.
The album "Ascension
Heights" has always been a £100+ vinyl rarity (I've seen only one copy of
it in my life), so its reissue here is to be welcomed. But it has also divided
Blues purists for years because - for a blues label release - it's a slightly
strange record! Firstly it's entirely instrumental - and not in a blues way
either. It doesn't seem to quite know what it is. One minute it has the playfulness
of Django Reinhardt jazz noodling on "Spider Drag", the next minute
it's Sixties Chet Atkins on "Globetrottin'", the next second its
funky Blood, Sweat and Tears without the vocals on the brass filled
"Mini-Minor-Mo" (a personal favourite and one that funky rock
enthusiasts should check out pronto). It also features PETE WINGFIELD on Piano.
There are even times on "Hot Ginger" where it sounds like a soulful
version of Fleetwood Mac's debut album. It's a varied record - daring in its
choices and filled with original songs by Topham. "Ascension Heights"
is a grower that bears repeated listening.
The extras are a mixed bag.
The funky backbeat of "Christmas Cracker" sounds like something
Booker T & The MG's would dash off as festivities filler. It's good - if
not great. The live track is received well too by an enthusiastic British
audience.
But the four LLOYD WATSON
tracks are however - a real find. He had an excellent voice and presence;
they're mostly rockin' blues and make for a fab vocal surprise after the dearth
of instrumentals that preceded them.
"Anything For You" finishes the disc in a great Yardbirds
meets Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac kind of a way and will have fans of both
loving this release.
Another winner from Blue Horizon that’s thoughtfully put together - and
full of surprises you wish there was more of...
No comments:
Post a Comment