Forgotten Gems-Bang-s/t

In the late 60's to the early 70's there were a lot of bands playing heavy fuzzed rock of varying styles and degrees. Some got noticed and some didn't yet many made and impact on the sound that would become metal. One of the best who never quite got their due was Florida's Bang. Like many heavy bands of the day they had a blues rock based sound although not as outward as say someone like Cactus. Bang frequently get compared to Black Sabbath. There is definitely some similarities, but I would say a better comparison would be Virginia's Pentagram or at least this self-titled album from Bang is close in style what Pentagram would soon be recording. Bang still had their own flavor too and that's what made them interesting and in my book one of the more memorable early metal band's of the day. On this album in addition to the mandatory fuzzed out riffs they have an almost disjointed pace at times. It's almost awkward in some songs yet it gives their songs a real personality even if the flow in unexpected at times. What's most surprisinmg to me every time I hear this album is how confident this young trio sounds. They come across like a band that had been at this for years. There work after this isn't as powerful to my ears although some people prefer it. These guys were metal pioneers and you have never heard them before you need to check them out.

Jethro Tull-Aqualung-40th anniversary special edition

Chrysalis/EMI
2011



The first time I heard Jethro Tull was on my local radio station when I was a teenager in the mid-80's. Late one night I was sitting next to my radio and "Cross-eyed Mary" came on. The quirky off the wall approach got me right away. Martin Barre's thick and steady riffs set the tone and Ian Anderson's lingering vocals and flute bursts only added to the texture of the song. Not long after that I heard the haunting title track and the thick monster that is "Locomotive breath". Yet it would be another 6 or 7 years before I heard the whole album. Once I did finally hear it I was overwhelmed by the combination of beauty and raw power. That's an ability that defines this album and it's not easy to pull off, but they make it sound easy. Once I heard this album in it's entirety I played it very often for years and still do. So what could be better than Aqualung? Well, in honor of the album's 40th anniversary is the release of the two disc set. Aqualung is the first disc and the second disc contains some unreleased tracks and some previously tracks, some of which get the re-mix treatment. Now Aqualung has been re-issued several times and their have been some complaints about the sound quality of some of the previous versions. However this time around I think they got it right. The sound is bold and vibrant while retaining all of the flavor the band originally intended. Plus on top of all this is a thick booklet with information about the album with quotes from the band, lots of pictures and even two pages from Steve Wilson who did the re-mix as he tells the process he went through to achieve the final results. All in all one of the best re-issues of 2011.

Forgotten Gems-Fuzzy Duck-s/t

MAM
1971

Fuzzy Duck formed in London in 1970. This their 1971 debut was issued with a limited pressing and years later when it was released on CD it had added bonus tracks. Like many British acts of the time Fuzzy Duck combined progressive rock with hard rock. Their sound is similar to the likes Wishbone Ash, Atomic Rooster and Deep Purple. Not as essential as any of those acts, but they were extremely tight and the music flows beautifully. They also had the ability to go from simple chugging riffs to surging blasts and back. Their debut easily shows their ability to create smooth grooves and they could ride those grooves out and keep the song twisting in and out around those grooves. If I had to describe this album with one word it would be "active" because they never settle down for a second. Instead they are in constant motion at all times. Plus every member is an equal force in Fuzzy Duck because you hear each member contributing on every song. Never heard this one until recently, but certainly worth checking out.

Forgotten Gems-Warhorse-Red Sea

Vertigo/Angel Air
1971

When bassist Nick Simper was out of Deep Purple in 1969 he joined Marsha Hunt's backing band. Meanwhile he was also on the lookout for others to possibly form another band. When Marsha Hunt became pregnant Simper and a couple other members of her backing band decided to form their own band. Rick Wakeman was originally to be part of this group, but he missed so many practices that he was booted out. Soon the line-up was complete with Simper on bass plus former Marsha Hunt band members guitarist Ged Peckand drummer Mac Poole. Also in the line-up were keyboardist Mac Poole formerly of the Rumble and Ashley Holt who had tried out for Deep Purple in 1968. The band cut a demo "Miss Jane" in 1970 and interest from several labels before signing to Vertigo. The band's self-titled debut came out in November of 1970, but was not released in North America. Not long after that Ged Peck left and was replaced by Peter Parks. In 1971 the band was ready to record again, but their label informed them the budget would be tighter on their sophomore release. Yet Warhorse came up with an album that was as good if not a little better than their debut. "Red sea" is a mix progressive rock and early metal. The sounds range from hard punches to lengthy intense jams, but there are smooth grooves throughout. A few songs do parallel what Deep Purple was doing at the same without Simper. It was obvious that Warhorse had quickly became a very tight outfit and their ideas seem to come to them easily as well. I think they sounded more confident than on the debut. However things were not looking up for the group. By 1973 they had fallen out with their label and were released. The band recorded some demos and began shopping them around. During this time drummer Mac Poole left and was replaced by Barney James. Warner Brothers initially showed interest in the demos and some handshakes were exchanged, but no contract came. Eventually Warhorse did get a contract from a sub-label of Tamia Motown, but the day it arrived Barney James and Ashley Holt announced they were leaving. So the band called it a day. Fortunately they left two good albums. Angel Air released a version of "Red Sea" with bonus tracks including a live version of "Ritual" and five demo tracks.

Top 5 albums of 1971

Here they are.



1-Alice Cooper-Love it to death
2-Black Sabbath-Master of reality
3-Led Zeppelin-IV
4-Alice Cooper-Killer
5-Tie-Black Sabbath-Paranoid and Deep Purple-Fireball

The fact that Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath each released two albums made this list hard to choose. Budgie and Bang both put out fine albums, but there just wasn't room as I feel bad enough having to give one tie.

My list for 1970 will be out next week.