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RATINGS:
Overall: ***
Presentation: ***
Audio: **** to *****
"…City In My Head…"
Maybe I'm getting old. I was so looking forward to this. But if I'm truthful – and as evidenced by this 51-Track 4CD Clamshell Box Set from Esoteric Recordings of the UK - 1974 Prog Rock was not nearly as sexy as my addled spaghetti-looped spongiform excitedly remembers it (and I lived for this stuff back then).
The other downer is of course licensing rights - which I presume Esoteric was not able to get – thereby denying us big guns some of which went all the way to No.1 or Top 10 at least (a very big deal back in the day). Commercial and scene-monster albums like "Crime Of The Century" by Supertramp, "Relayer" by Yes, "Hamburger Concerto" by Focus, "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" by Genesis, "From The Mars Hotel" by The Grateful Dead, both "Red" or "Starless And Bible Black" by King Crimson, "Hergest Ridge" by Mike Oldfield, "Country Life" by Roxy Music, "Journey To The Center Of The Earth" by Rick Wakeman (of Yes) and "Phaedra" by Tangerine Dream – all AWOL. And there are other odd omissions (admittedly less well-known artists) like Fruupp, Tempest, Wally, Seventh Wave, Nucleus with Ian Carr, Soft Machine, Matching Mole or even the two Gryphon albums on Transatlantic Records – not here either.
And if we are going to get Rock Artists with a slightly Proggish twinge like Budgie and Robin Trower (love both tracks, they lift proceedings considerably) – then how about Wishbone Ash or Jeff Beck or T. Rex or 10cc or Trapeze or even Fusion and Keyboard Experimental people like Billy Cobham and The Mahavishnu Orchestra or the future-transformative Kraftwerk and their "Autobahn"? They all fit in my book. But do we need crap like the Traffic album or doubling up of album tracks when other artists could have been highlighted. Anyway, let us deal with what we do have, because there's lots to discuss (that is good) and not just decry…
UK released Friday, 30 June 2023 - "Round And Round: Progressive Sounds Of 1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42831 (Barcode 5013929483194) is a 51-Track 4CD Compilation in a Clamshell Box Set with 4 Mini LP Style Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Colour Booklet that plays out as follows:
CD1 (76:07 minutes):
1. Freefall – CAMEL (5:54 minutes) - from their second studio album "Mirage" – released March 1974 in the UK on Decca/Gama Records SML 1107 – featuring Peter Bardens and Andy Latimer – see also Track 5 on CD 4 from the same LP
2. Negative Earth – BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST (5:32 minutes) – from their fourth studio album "Everyone Is Everybody Else" released June 1974 in the UK on Polydor 2383 286 and September 1974 in the USA on Polydor PD 6508) – more BJH see also Track 12 on CD2
3. Skating Away (On The Thin Ice Of A New Day) – JETHRO TULL (3:58 minutes) – from their seventh studio album "WarChild" - released October 1974 in the USA and UK on Chrysalis Records CHR 1067 (same catalogue number for both countries). This song also appeared on their "M.U. Best Of Jethro Tull" hits album in January 1976 – see also Track 11 on CD2 from the same "WarChild" LP
4. Flying – QUICKSAND (4:23 minutes) – from their debut and only album "Home Is Where The Heart Is" – released February 1974 in the UK on Dawn Records DNLS 3056 – featured James Davies - later with Alcatraz in 1977 on United Artists)
5. Didn't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You – KEVIN AYERS (4:11 minutes) – from his sixth album "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" - released May 1974 in the UK on Island ILPS 9263 - Featuring Guitars by Mark Warner (of Quantum Jump) and Sam Mitchell (of Uncle Dog) with Solo by Ollie Halsall (of Patto), Percussion by Rupert Hine and Vocals by Doris Troy, Rosetta Hightower and Joanne Williams
6. Black September - DARRYL WAY'S WOLF (4:50 minutes) – from the album "Night Music" – released November 1974 in the UK on Deram SML 1116 – features John Hodkinson of IF on Vocals, John Etheridge of Soft Machine on Guitar with Darryl Way on Keyboards and Violin – see also Track 11 on CD3 from the same LP
7. Son Of "There's No Place Like Homerton" – HATFIELD AND THE NORTH (10:13 minutes) – from the debut album "Hatfield And The North" – released March 1974 in the UK on Virgin V 2008 – Keyboards by Dave Stewart – for more Hatfield And The North – see also Track 8 on CD3
8. Jets At Dawn – BE-BOP DELUXE (7:19 minutes) – from the debut album "Axe Victim" – released June 1974 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 813 – written by and featuring Bill Nelson
9. Keep It Down – JACK BRUCE (3:42 minutes) – ex-60ts power trio Cream, from his fourth solo album "Out Of The Storm" – released November 1974 in the UK on RSO Records 2394 143 – features Steve Hunter (of Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and Lou Reed fame) on Guitars, Jack Bruce on Vocals, Bass, Keyboards and more with Lyrics by Pete Brown (of Battered Ornaments)
10. Foothills – KEITH CHRISTMAS (4:00 minutes) – from his fourth album "Brighter Days" – released October 1974 in the UK on Manticore K 53503 – Guests include Greg Lake of ELP and Pete Sinfield of King Crimson (both Produced, Greg Lake for Foothills, Manticore is Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Label), Neil Hubbard of Juicy Lucy and Kokomo on Guitars, Ian McDonald of King Crimson and Centipede on Piano, Pete Solley of Paladin on Keyboards, Ray Warleigh of The Keef Hartley Band on Saxophone, Henry Lowther on Trumpet and more – see also Track 1 on CD3 from the same LP
11. Virgin On The Ridiculous – CARAVAN (6:53 minutes) – from the album "Caravan & The New Symphonia" – released April 1974 in the UK on Deram SML-R 1110 – featuring Pye Hastings and Arrangements by John Bell and Martyn Ford – see also Track 3 on CD4 from the same LP
12. Master Builder – GONG (6:20 minutes) – from the album "You" – released October 1974 in the UK on Virgin V 2019 – featuring Steve Hillage, Hi T. Moonweed and Pierre Moerlen – see also Track 10 on CD4 from the same album
13. Hero & Heroine (Early Mix Version) – STRAWBS (3:24 minutes) – original version from their seventh album "Hero And Heroine" released February 1974 on A&M SP-3607 (USA) and April 1974 on A&M Records AMLH 63607 (UK) - featuring Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, John Hawken (ex-Nashville Teens and Renaissance), Chas Cronk and Rod Coombes (ex-Stealers Wheel) – This Early Mix Version Appears To Be PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED – see also Track 4 on CD2 (another Early Mix Version)
14. God Speed The Plough – STACKRIDGE (5:30 minutes) – from the album "The Man In The Bowler Hat" – released February 1974 in the UK on MCA Records MCG 3501 (released as "Pinafore Days" in the USA on Sire SASD-7503 with two different tracks neither of which apply to this box) – features Andy Davis, Keith Gemmell and Mike Evans – see also Track 8 on CD2 from the same LP
CD2 (78:34 minutes):
1. Fidgety Queen – NEKTAR (4:08 minutes) – from the album "Down To Earth" – released October 1974 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29680 – features Roy Albrighton on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Taff Freeman on Keyboards and Vocals with Guest Vocals from Bob Calvert of Hawkwind – see also Track 12 on CD3 from the same LP
2. Tapeworm – PETER HAMMILL (4:22 minutes) – from the album "In Camera" – released August 1974 in the UK on Charisma CAS 1089 – Hammill (of Van Der Graaf Generator) plays all instruments except drums – for more PH see also Track 7 on CD4 from an album earlier in that year
3. Staircase To The Day – GRAVY TRAIN (7:31 minutes) – from the album "Staircase To The Day" – released July 1974 in the UK on Dawn DNLH 1 – features Norman Barrett and John D. Hughes – see also Track 5 on CD 3 from the same LP
4. Round And Round (Early Mix Version) – STRAWBS (4:46 minutes) - original version from their seventh album "Hero And Heroine" released February 1974 on A&M SP-3607 (USA) and April 1974 on A&M Records AMLH 63607 (UK) - featuring Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, John Hawken (ex-Nashville Teens and Renaissance), Chas Cronk and Rod Coombes (ex-Stealers Wheel) – This Early Mix Version Appears To Be PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED – see also Track 13 on CD1 (another Early Mix Version)
5. Zoom Club – BUDGIE (9:53 minutes) – from their fourth studio album "In For The Kill" - released June 1974 in the UK on MCA Records MCF 2546 – featuring Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge and Pete Boot
6. I Can't See Where The Light Switch Is – STEVE SWINDELLS (3:22 minutes) – from the album "Messages" – released May 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor LPL1 5057 – features Danny Thompson of Pentangle on Double Bass
7. Joie De Vivre – GREENSLADE (8:27 minutes) – from their third album "Spyglass Guest" – released August 1974 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56055 - featuring Dave Greenslade [ex Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds and Colosseum], Dave Lawson [ex The Web and Samurai], Tony Reeves [ex Colosseum] with Andrew McCullock [ex King Crimson and Fields] - and guests Andy Roberts [ex Everyone, Plainsong and Grimms], Clem Clempson [ex Bakerloo, Champion, Colosseum and Humble Pie] with Graham Smith from String Driven Thing
8. The Last Plimsoll – STACKRIDGE (4:32 minutes) - from the album "The Man In The Bowler Hat" – released February 1974 in the UK on MCA Records MCG 3501 (released as "Pinafore Days" in the USA on Sire SASD-7503 with two different tracks neither of which apply to this box) – features Andy Davis, Keith Gemmell and Mike Evans – see also Track 14 on CD1 from the same LP
9. Mother Russia – RENAISSANCE (9:21 minutes) – from the album "Turn Of The Cards" – released July 1974 in the UK on BTM Records BTM 1000 – features Annie Haslem on Vocals and John Taut on Keyboards – see also Track 2 on CD4 from the same LP
10. Dream Gerrard – TRAFFIC (11:05 minutes) – from their seventh studio album "When The Eagle Flies" – released September 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9273 – features Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi – see also Track 9 on CD3 from the same LP
11. Bungle In The Jungle – JETHRO TULL (3:37 minutes) - from their seventh studio album "WarChild" - released October 1974 in the USA and UK on Chrysalis Records CHR 1067 (same catalogue number for both countries). This song also appeared on their "M.U. Best Of Jethro Tull" hits album in January 1976 – see also Track 3 on CD1 from the same "WarChild" LP
12. Mockingbird (Live) – BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST (7:30 minutes) – from the 2LP set "Live" – released November 1974 in the UK on Polydor 2683 052 – featuring John Lees on Guitar and Vocals, Wooly Wolstenholme on Keyboards and Vocals with Les Holroyd and Mel Pritchard on Bass and Drums – for more BJH see also Track 2 on CD1
CD3 (77:11 minutes):
1. Brighter Day – KEITH CHRISTMAS (6:17 minutes) - from his fourth album "Brighter Days" – released October 1974 in the UK on Manticore K 53503 – Guests include Greg Lake of ELP and Pete Sinfield of King Crimson (both Produced, Greg Lake for Foothills, Manticore is Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Label), Neil Hubbard of Juicy Lucy and Kokomo on Guitars, Ian McDonald of King Crimson and Centipede on Piano, Pete Solley of Paladin on Keyboards, Ray Warleigh of The Keef Hartley Band on Saxophone, Henry Lowther on Trumpet and more – see also Track 10 on CD1 from the same LP
2. Scotch Corner – MAN (9:09 minutes) – from their eight album "Rhinos, Winos And Lunatics"- released May 1974 on United Artists UAG 29631 in the UK - featuring Deke Leonard, Malcolm Morley, Mickey Jones, Ken Whaley and Terry Williams
3. Exit – MAN (1:16 minutes) – as per Track 2
4. The World Became The World – PFM (4:48 minutes) - Italian Prog Group initially called Premiata Forneria Marconi – shortened to PFM – from the album "The World Became The World" – released June 1974 in the UK on Manticore K 53502 – see also Track 9 on CD4 from the same LP
5. Starlight Starbright – GRAVY TRAIN (4:27 minutes) - from the album "Staircase To The Day" – released July 1974 in the UK on Dawn DNLH 1 – features Norman Barrett and John D. Hughes with Pete Solley of Paladin on Keyboards as a Guest – see also Track 3 on CD2 from the same LP
6. Drunk Again – PROCOL HARUM (4:32 minutes) – Non-LP Track from March 1974 UK 45-single on Chrysalis CHS 2032, B-side of "Nothing But The Truth" – written by Gary Brooker with Lyrics from longtime PH-associate Keith Reid
7. Ritt Mickley – REFUGEE (4:55 minutes) – from their Debut and only Album "Refugee" – released April 1974 in the UK on Charisma Records CAS 1087 - featuring Bassist Lee Jackson and Drummer Brian Davison (both ex-The Nice) with Keyboardist Patrick Moraz - later with Yes for "Relayer"
8. Let's Eat (Real Soon) – HATFIELD AND THE NORTH (3:17 minutes) – Non-LP Track, November 1974 UK 45-single on Virgin VS 116, A-side
9. Graveyard People – TRAFFIC (6:07 minutes) - from their seventh studio album "When The Eagle Flies" – released September 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9273 – features Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi – see also Track 10 on CD2 from the same LP
10. Trust In The Machine – KAYAK (6:08 minutes) – from their debut album "Kayak" – released October 1974 in the UK on Harvest SHSP 4036 – featuring Max Werner on Keyboards, Johan Slager on Guitars, Cees Van Leeuwen on Bass and Pim Koopman on Percussion
11. The Envoy – DARYLL WAY'S WOLF (6:29 minutes) – from the album "Night Music" – released November 1974 in the UK on Deram SML 1116 – features John Hodkinson of IF on Vocals, John Etheridge of Soft Machine on Guitar with Darryl Way on Keyboards and Violin – see also Track 6 on CD1 from the same LP
12. Early Morning Clown – NEKTAR (3:24 minutes) - from the album "Down To Earth" – released October 1974 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29680 – features Roy Albrighton on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Taff Freeman on Keyboards and Vocals with Guest Vocals from Bob Calvert of Hawkwind – see also Track 1 on CD2 from the same LP
13. Living In The World Today – THE NEUTRONS (6:13 minutes) – from the album "Black Hole Star" – released September 1974 in the UK on United Artists UAS 29652
14. The Psychedelic Warlords – HAWKWIND (6:51 minutes) - from their fourth studio album "Hall Of The Mountain Grill" – released September 1974 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29672 – features Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar and Lemmy (later of Motorhead)
15. Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape – BE-BOP DELUXE (3:25 minutes) - from the debut album "Axe Victim" – released June 1974 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 813 – written by and featuring Bill Nelson
CD4 (77:43 minutes):
1. Utopia Theme – TODD RUNDGREN'S UTOPIA (14:30 minutes) – from the album "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" - released October 1974 in the USA on Bearsville BS 6954 and November 1974 in the UK on Bearsville K 55501. "Utopia" (aka "Utopia Theme") was recorded live at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia in November 1973 - the rest of the album is studio
2. Black Flame – RENAISSANCE (6:26 minutes) – from the album "Turn Of The Cards" – released July 1974 in the UK on BTM Records BTM 1000 – features Annie Haslem on Vocals and John Taut on Keyboards – see also Track 9 on CD2 from the same LP
3. Mirror For The Day – CARAVAN (4:31 minutes) – from the album "Caravan & The New Symphonia" – released April 1974 in the UK on Deram SML-R 1110 – featuring Pye Hastings and Arrangements by John Bell and Martyn Ford – see also Track 11 on CD1 from the same LP
4. Bridge Of Sighs – ROBIN TROWER (5:04 minutes) – ex-Procol Harum - from his second solo studio album "Bridge Of Sighs" - released April 1974 on Chrysalis CHR 1057 – features James Dewar of Stone The Crows on Vocals and Bass – album also produced by Matthew Fisher of Procol Harum
5. Lady Fantasy – CAMEL (12:45 minutes) - from their second studio album "Mirage" – released March 1974 in the UK on Decca/Gama Records SML 1107 – featuring Peter Bardens and Andy Latimer – see also Track 1 on CD1 from the same LP
6. Paradox – HAWKWIND (5:29 minutes) - from their fourth studio album "Hall Of The Mountain Grill" – released September 1974 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29672 – features Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar and Lemmy (later of Motorhead)
7. Red Shift – PETER HAMMILL (8:13 minutes) - from the album "The Silent Corner And The Empty Stage" – released February 1974 in the UK on Charisma CAS 1083 – Hammill (of Van Der Graaf Generator) plays Guitars, Keyboards and Bass - Guest Guitar by Randy California of Spirit – for more PH see also Track 2 on CD2 from an album later in that year
8. Anthem – THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND (aka SAHB) (7:44 minutes) – from their third studio album (as SAHB) "The Impossible Dream" - released October 1974 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 112 – features Zal Cleminson on Guitar, Hugh McKenna on Keyboards with Vicki Silva on Backing Vocals
9. Just Look Away – PFM (4:04 minutes) - Italian Prog Group initially called Premiata Forneria Marconi – shortened to PFM – from the album "The World Became The World" – released June 1974 in the UK on Manticore K 53502 – see also Track 4 on CD3 from the same LP
10. A Sprinkling Of Clouds – GONG (8:57 minutes) - from the album "You" – released October 1974 in the UK on Virgin V 2019 – featuring Steve Hillage, Hi T. Moonweed and Pierre Moerlen – see also Track 12 on CD1 from the same album
The Four Mini LP Card Sleeves are pretty (a slightly altered carousel image on each) but not really indicative of what's going on inside. And on initial glance the 48-Page Booklet is stuffed to the gunnels with info – mostly the written word (see photos). But it's oddly unsatisfying because (for instance) when the hugely experienced compiler John Reed ran Sanctuary (John has done literally hundreds of CD reissues across the last three decades) – even their fold-out inlays for a lesser-known musical hero like say Long John Baldry or Alexis Korner or Andy Roberts had collages of relevant photos because that gave you a feel for the release and the artists and especially the period involved. The visuals, in short.
Despite MARK POWELL (Compiled and Annotated by) pouring on the learned-factoids - there is barely a single photo for each artist – a handful of LPs pictured – no ticket stubs – no concert posters from the trades – no memorabilia - fan involvement – it’s all a bit dry frankly and strangely passionless. Then when you read the scholarly text – you find that each is a career summary of the band/artist that barely deals with the actual track on the box – like these are generic biogs prepped in advance that can be slotted in when needed. Bluntly – where's the feel for Prog Rock or 1974?
Others have also complained (as I said earlier) about two-tracks to most artists from the same album - when the name-net could and should have been thrown wider. The PASCHAL BYRNE Remasters are excellent throughout though – Esoteric has been reissuing these names in 2 and 3 and 4CD Extended Editions for years now – so each listen is a full-on 24-bit digital transfer from original tapes - full of details revealed and oomph where needed. To the actual music…
Peter Bardens and Andy Latimer profile Camel's second album "Mirage" in two places – the Track 1 guitar-driven "Freefall" on CD1 and a popular choice in "Lady Fantasy" over on CD4 (Track 5). This doubling-up for bands and their 1974 albums happens a lot (Jethro Tull, Keith Christmas, Renaissance, Caravan, Be-Bop Deluxe, Hawkwind, PFM and so on) – with Barclay James Harvest and Peter Hammill (of Van Der Graaf Generator) both having different albums in 1974 - while Hatfield And The North get an album and a stand-alone 45 - Procol Harum just a rare B-side. I would admit that CD1 only truly comes alive for me with the brilliant "Skating Away (On The Thin Ice Of A New Day)" from Jethro Tull – it and that other single "Bungle In The Jungle" from their "WarChild" album impressing mightily (gorgeous Audio on both – Steve Wilson ahoy).
There was a white label LP dated December 1973 for the lone Quicksand album "Home Is Where I Belong" on Dawn Records - but it did not appear until February 1974. From South Wales and on the go since 1970 – the first two minutes of their "Flying" initially sounds more like tripping in 1967 (if you know what I mean) as the treated vocals float from speaker-to-speaker. If you are on a first listen - then little will prepare you for Ollie Halsall of Patto letting rip as warbling-notes guest guitarist on the brilliant Kevin Ayers track "Didn't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You". Peppered with relationship disintegration, drug addiction references and its Hell - his Island Records debut album "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" has always been a masterpiece to me and I wish Esoteric had included even one of the Parts of the title track from Side 2 (but alas). Time to calm things down with the surprisingly lovely "Black September" – Darryl Way and his band Wolf producing a memorable melody that in so many ways has little to do with Prog Rock.
Time for some ten-minute marathons – Hatfield And The North (took their name from a road sign on the M1 that I used to see on the way up to the Holyhead Ferry) and their "Son Of "There's No Place Like Homerton"" being proper out-there Keyboards and Horns Prog – a sort of Colosseum meets Greenslade saunter through moods – up and down and back again (lovely Remaster too). I know Bill Nelson and his power trio Be-Bop Deluxe is not for everyone – radio singing love songs as soldiers come home across fields in their "Jets At Dawn" track from the admired "Axe Victim" debut on Harvest Records. Ex-Cream Bassist Jack Bruce gives us "Keep It Down" – a clumsy Funk-Rock brute that is done for by badly echoed guitar that makes it feel terribly dated. Keith Christmas gives us "Foothills" - the better of two tracks from his "Brighter Days" album – the title track being awful over on CD3. "Foothills" is essentially a David Crosby of CSNY vibe done to Acoustic Guitar and superb Synth soloing – a bit of a discovery. The Caravan track "Virgin On The Ridiculous" is live and yet has superb audio – a pretty song that I know deep-core Canterbury fans admire. Steve Hillage and his teapot men of Gong strike with the first of two Trippy workouts - "Master Builder" from "You" – the kind of Virgin Records LP that got traded a lot and was the very epitome of an adventurous pocket-money splash. CD1 goes out with Strawbs and Stackridge – Dave Cousins going all Marillion vocals with a different mix of "Hero & Heroine" – a tad heavy-handed if you ask me. Stackridge were always a band with a great name and album titles, but damn if it wasn’t difficult to sell their records because their identity confused most punters. The Folkish Piano, Violin and Flute of "God Speed The Plough" is an accomplished instrumental that ends CD1 with gorgeous audio and a touch of compositional wild.
Most of us could probably do without the silly German-Vocal rant at the beginning of the Nektar inclusion "Fidgety Queen" that opens CD2 – best program it to the opening guitar riff at 24-seconds which is wickedly good - even if the dodgy on-the-make lyrics make you wince and the whole thing feels like a ham too far. Peter Hammill of Van Der Graaf Generator fame gets number two in the equally clumsy "Tapeworm" – posturing Euro Rock I could do without. Things mellow with Gravy Train and their Genesis sounding (Flute and Acoustic of Foxtrot) "Stairway To The Day" while we get another Early Mix Version of a Strawbs cut that gives the Box Set its name "Round And Round" – heavy emphasis on the synth and guitar. I like it actually – Cousins singing of ever-spinning wheels while the boys Rock out in that Strawbs way behind him.
I love all things Budgie – a power-trio from Wales who were on MCA Records from 1971. They were Rawk-Rock – gritty and grimy (produced by Roger Bain of Black Sabbath fame) – but often engaged in long tracks that required Guitarist Tony Bourge to go off into clever tangents that could be construed as slightly Prog. "Zoom Club" is one of those stretches from their fourth studio album "In For The Kill" and you can so hear why Metallica covered one of their songs. I suspect for Progsters this Budgie guitar whig-out will be fun and a welcome respite from all the po-faced seriousness. Things soften considerably with Steve Swindells and his soft Clifford T. Ward-ish "I Can't See Where The Light Switch Is" – a rather lame song that is not helped by unmemorable vocals despite Danny Thompson of Pentangle plucking some lovely Double-Bass support (never could sell that LP). A hundred times better is Greenslade showing just how accomplished they had become with their fourth and best album on Warner Brothers "Spyglass Guest". Their Side 2 opener "Joie De Vivre" unfortunately has Bassist Dave Lawson on Vocals (Dave Greenslade on Keyboards) which was always their weakness despite the prettiness of the eight-minute trek - and worse - the seriously beautiful instrumental that closed Side 1 of the LP called "Siam Seesaw" is AWOL here – that song alone would have benefitted this Box Set greatly by its presence.
Stackridge offer us Rock vaudeville with "The Last Plimsoll" – a bad business tale of third parties and smarties doing things that ranker while Renaissance contemplates history with their piano-dramatic "Mother Russia". The lacklustre seventh Traffic album on Island Records "When The Eagle Flies" was a one-pound no-no for years when I worked the racks at Reckless Records. But at least the ambling "Dream Gerrard" offers moments of their former magic in those Steve Winwood funky keyboard fills – but of course – like so much of their seventies output - overstays its welcome – only two and half minutes in - starting to feel decidedly like LP filler to get them to the finish line. The last two on CD2 – Jethro Tull and the live Barclay James Harvest are not particularly interesting either – despite the improved audio.
CD3: "Brighter Day" is supposed to be some Funky jab at Mental Health problems of the nation but only ends feeling strangulated and hammy. Welsh band Man offer us two in a row from their popular "Rhinos, Winos And Lunatics" album of 1974 on United Artists – one a nine-minute opus "Scotch Corner" followed by a pointless one-minute Outro called "Exit". The guitarists in the band get to let rip on "Scotch Corner" sounding not unlike a twin-guitar-battling Wishbone Ash. Italian Prog-balladeers PFM had the cache of Manticore Records to promote them – a label owned and associated with Prog-Rock superstars Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Their "The World Became The World" borrows a lot from Procol Harum (who appear a few tracks on) while Gravy Train get their second outing with the wind-and-synths guitar chug of "Starlight Starbright" sounds uncomfortably like Spinal Tap at times.
Non-LP Procol Harum B-side "Drunk Again" is a surprisingly raucous affair – boogie from the kings of Mellotron melodramatics. Future Yes keyboard whizz Patrick Moraz (replacing Rick Wakeman) was in Refugee before the Yes epic "Relayer" beckoned later that eventful year. Heavy bass synth notes crank out a funky jagged beat ala Greenslade for "Ritt Mickley" – but I found their stuff accomplished for sure but outside the endless soling - strangely soulless. Despite the witty lyrics, The Hatfield And The North stand-alone 45-single is too slight for my tastes while the second Traffic cut "Graveyard People" feels like a sloppy Steve Winwood trial run for "Arc Of A Diver" but not in a good way. CD3 hits us with more Euro sounds with Kayak – but honestly, I found the Darryl Way entry hard work. Far better is the acoustic lovely melody from Nektar called "Early Morning Clown" – a welcome respite. The guitar chug of the Neutrons speaker-to-speaker "Living In The World Today" track sets up the listen for more of the same by Hawkwind and Be-Bop Deluxe – the Hawk Lords sounding like Neanderthals waking up with hangovers while Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe is their sedate probationary office talking through their problems.
CD4 opens with a barnstormer I love – the live "Utopia Theme" from Todd Rundgren and his band of the same Utopia name. Recorded live in November 1973 in Atlanta (the only track on the album that is live, all the rest is studio), I cannot imagine how the audience took all its brand-new 13-plus minutes in – but they did. And during superb synth and guitar breaks (ala King Crimson) challenging them throughout – applauded loudly - because they caught the great riffage and knew it was an accomplished piece of Prog Rock even if it was 'A True Wizard' new. There are more clever ideas and unexpected musical breaks in this beast than there are in Rush songs – and I mean that as a compliment (lyrics from it title this review).
Renaissance and Caravan offer us more sedate Canterbury-scene pieces in "Black Flame" and "Mirror For The Day" - the latter being live also (from their "Caravan And The New Symphonia" album). Renaissance always had that pretty melody thing about them and their acoustic-gorgeous "Black Flame" reflects that - Annie Haslem on warm Lead Vocals with John Taut providing tasteful Piano and Harpsichord accompaniment - all of it in beautiful Remastered Audio. Strings and Mood open the live Caravan offering "Mirror For The Day" - a deliciously accomplished piece of music - morning has come again - here comes that song again. It's almost Pop in certain places - Lady backing singers following the ebb and flow. Fantastic Rock is my description of Robin Trower's breakthrough album "Bridge Of Sighs" which was subject to a 50th Anniversary 3-Disc Chrysalis Box Set of its own in May 2024. Here Powell smartly offers us the very-Hendrix drifting-Prog riffage of the title track "Bridge Of Sighs" - James Dewar (formerly of the mighty Stone The Crows) giving us Soul-Rock Lead Vocals while Reg Isidore locks in that Drumming backbeat. It's a welcome Rock-ish intrusion that swishes to its end on a sea of wash-me-clean melodramatic Mellotron.
Always a popular tune on "Mirage" - Camel stump up "Lady Fantasy" from their second Deram album - so 1974 Prog with its Guitars vs. Keyboards in-yer-face combo. I can remember when mid-Seventies Hawkwind was considered to be a bit of a joke - a droning guitar band already past their sell-by-date. Second offering from them is "Paradox" - Brock and Turner and Lemmy giving it some of their distinctive chug from their underrated "Hall Of The Mountain Grill" album on United Artists (how I loved that gatefold artwork and inner sleeve). They recorded it 'live' 26 January 1974 on the Pye Mobile unit and its raw almost pre-Punk guitar energy is the point. I know some have no time for it but I can tell you now (from Reckless Records sales experience) - Hawkwind have diehard admirers who will swear by this up-yours wall of Space Rock sound and will duel you to the death to prove it. After such an assault, we need some semblance of calm - no such luck. Peter Hammill's inner weird comes a-slinkering in with "Red Shaft" - all echoed Vocals - Sax jabs - and shimmering Percussion sounds atop doomy lyrics - yikes.
We romp to the end of CD4 with Drums and Fife from the greatly missed Oliver Reed of Scottish Rock - Alex Harvey. His Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB) gives us one of those uneasy and unnerving builders he and his pirate-troupe were so good at - a history tale from "The Impossible Dream" album on Vertigo - Harvey's wild almost shouting vocals complimented by a painted-faced Zal Cleminson on Guitar while Hugh McKenna bashes those piano keys. It isn't as good as most everything on "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" - his genuine breakthrough album in 1975 - but it is a reminder of why we loved him and his band in the Seventies - fun and strangely moving too. Time to contemplate and trip out for the last two - Italy's PFM give us the pretty acoustic plaintive ballad "Just Look Away" - while Steve Hillage's Gong goes straight for the drugged-up keyboard jugular with "A Sprinkling Of Clouds" - a fantastic trippy instrumental that is off on a hand-painted teapot to a Universe near you for six minutes with a tie-dye teeshirt as your captain (yum yum).
Even with two outtake mixes from a band I loved (Strawbs) - I would admit - I was unusually disappointed by "Round And Round...1974" (hence the 3-star rating).
But make no mistake - both novices and old-hands should cop that there's lots to love here, loads to discover and bluntly, Esoteric Recordings are to be worshipped for keeping that side of this ever-inventive (yet once maligned) music genre alive. Here's to the bearded next one...
Underground Sounds Of / Progressive Sounds Of CD SERIES
Clamshell Box Set Compilations from Esoteric Recordings of the UK
Individual 3CD and 4CD Sets by Various Artists for the Years 1968 to 1975
Mark Powell Compilations / Paschal Byrne Remasters / 48-Page (or more) Booklets
(James Collins Remasters for 1975 only)
Underground Sounds Of for 1968-1971
Underground and Progressive Sounds Of for 1972
Progressive Sounds Of for 1973, 1974 and 1975
1968 - "Revolution: Underground Sounds Of 1968"
22 February 2019 UK 52-Track 3CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC32662 (Barcode 5013929476202)
1969 - "Banquet: Underground Sounds Of 1969"
25 June 2021 UK 52-Track 3CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC52752 (Barcode 5013929476585)
1970 - "Taking Some Time On: Underground Sounds Of 1970"
30 July 2021 UK 57-Track 4CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42767 (Barcode 5013929476783)
1971 - "Breakthrough: Underground Sounds Of 1971"
18 November 2021 UK 54-Track 4CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42779 (Barcode 5013929477988)
1972 - "Blowing Free: Underground and Progressive Sounds Of 1972"
24 June 2022 (delayed from 27 May 2022) UK 55-Track 4CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42799 (Barcode 5013929479982)
1973 - "Wind Of Change: Progressive Sounds Of 1973"
13 Jan 2023 (delayed from May 2022) UK 48-Track 4CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42823 (Barcode 5013929482395)
1974 - "Round And Round: Progressive Sounds Of 1974"
30 June 2023 UK 51-Track 4CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42831 (Barcode 5013929483194)
1975 - "Ring The Bells And Sing: Progressive Sounds Of 1975"
30 August 2024 UK 46-Track 4CD Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC42883 (Barcode 5013929488342) – Mastered by James Collins
.JPG)
