Let me in (Gary Brooker) (LP 711 - 712)

Gary Brooker  No More Fear Of Flying (Vinyl, Chrysalis Records, 1979) *** 

Gary Brooker  Lead Me To The Water (Vinyl, Mercury Records, 1982) *** 

Genre: Prog rock (even though these albums are more mainstream rock in their approach, Gary's albums are housed in the prog section thanks to his association with prog giants Procol Harum). 

Places I remember: Slow Boat Records (Wellington)/ Real Groovy Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Give Me Something To Remember You By

Gear costume: Say It Ain't So Joe 

Active compensatory factors: These are Gary Brooker's first two solo albums after Procol Harum went into hiatus after their Something Magic album in 1977 (they'd reform eventually in the 1990's).

Gary has one of those voices that is instantly recognisable. It's a blessing, as he can inflect even the most ordinary of lyrics with meaning and nuance.

First album - No More Fear Of Flying, maintains a high standard. Sidebar: Bruce Lynch is on bass - he's a Kiwi, known for his marriage to Suzanne and his session work in many arenas - notably Cat Stevens and Kate Bush among many others.

Lead Me To The Water has loads of famous friends lending a hand. Most notably George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Phil Collins. Unfortunately this bunch got together in 1982 for this album, so it's got that eighties production sound, complete with synths,  and it all sounds a little too comfortable. These guys, by this stage, had little to prove.

Gary's vocals remain fantastic however. Hard to muck them up!

Where do they all belong? I'm yet to get his third solo album - 1985's Echoes In The Night and the live album from 1996 - Within Our House

Govinda (The Radha Krsna Temple London) (LP 709 - 710)

 

The Radha Krsna Temple London  The Radha Krsna Temple (Vinyl, Apple Records, 1971) ****

The Radha Krsna Temple London  Goddess Of Fortune (Vinyl, Spiritual Sky Records, 1971) ****

Genre: Apple Records 

Places I remember: Noel Forth helped me find the US copy of the Apple Records version after I sent him a NZ Apple version that he'd tracked down. Goddess Of Fortune is exactly the same album but released on Spiritual Sky with a different album name - this one came from Chaldon Records and Books.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Govinda Jaya Jaya

Gear costume: Hare Krishna mantra

Active compensatory factors: The Beatle connection is obviously why many of us needed to have a copy of this - George produces and it's on Apple Records, but after listening to it, many of us are thankful for the experience.

If your experience of Hari Krishna Mantra is some devotees creating a tambourine and bells driven chant in your down-town area, then you won't be prepared for the professionalism of the Radha Krsna Temple London members as produced by Hari Georgeson.

The trance like chants are excellent throughout the album and there is real variety. I love it! 

Where do they all belong? It's a real 4 star treat in the Apple Records collection.

Ouch! (The Rutles) (LP 708)

The Rutles  The Rutles (Vinyl, WEA Records, 1978) **** 

Genre: Beatles pop

Places I remember: Slow Boat Records (my original copy was lost in a house move a few years ago. This copy is more worn than my mint/pristine original but it's good to have it back in my collection)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Cheese And Onions

Gear costume: Number One 

Active compensatory factors: This is a kind of soundtrack album for The Rutles' film - All You Need Is Cash, and a pretty perfect parody album.

The film is the brainchild of Python's Eric Idle, but he doesn't perform on the Rutles' albums.

Neil Innes, the writer and arranger, knows Beatles' songs inside out and so his affectionate piss takes of all stages of the Fabs career is bang on target. And hilariously funny!

The packaging of the album is a thing of beauty in itself.  

Where do they all belong? Another Rutles album - Anthology, is waiting in the CD wings.

Our delight (Red Garland) (LP 705 - 707)

Red Garland Quintet  All Mornin' Long (CD, Avid Jazz, 1957) ***

Red Garland Trio  Groovy (CD, Avid Jazz, 1957) *****

Red Garland Trio  All Kinds Of Weather (CD, Avid Jazz, 1958) ***

Genre: Piano jazz 

Places I remember: Ray's Jazz Bar in Foyles (Covent Garden)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: C Jam Blues

Gear costume: What Can I Say (After I Say I'm Sorry?) 

Active compensatory factors: All Mornin' Long features John Coltrane and Donald Byrd on Trumpet. That trumpet can get a little strident at times and so, this isn't as easy on the ear as the trio albums.

Groovy is both well named, and the pick of this set - his third album as leader and it hits a peak in the effortless stakes. Rubbish cover though.

All Kinds Of Weather is okay but the song selection is pretty eclectic, and again, Red is poorly served by the art department.

Where do they all belong? It's been a while (too long), but it's back to the vinyl next!!

Fields of sun (Iron Butterfly) (LP 702 - 704)

Iron Butterfly  Heavy (CD, Atlantic  Records, 1968) ***

Iron Butterfly  In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (CD, Atlantic  Records, 1968) ****

Iron Butterfly  Live (CD, Atlantic  Records, 1970) ***

Genre: Psychedelic rock

Places I remember: FOPP (Covent Garden)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (Live version)

Gear costume: Iron Butterfly Theme (Heavy) 

Active compensatory factors: I had the cassette tape of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida for years before getting this triple album collection with replica covers. I played the title track every once in a while and it's brilliance grew on me.

Their first album, Heavy, is a really good debut. Heavy playing in a 1968 kind of way is the order of the day on this and their follow up album.

Doug Ingle's vocals are a perfect addition to the organ heavy sonic attack that is the feature of these early albums. 

Live from 1970 features a great version of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida!

Where do they all belong? Another live album is coming when we get back into the vinyl.

Hi de ho (Blood Sweat and Tears) (LP 701)

Blood Sweat and Tears  Live In New York 1977 (CD, Live Wire Productions, 2016) ** 

Genre: Jazz rock 

Places I remember: Vinyl Countdown (New Plymouth)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: You've Made Me So Very Happy

Active compensatory factors: This is a radio broadcast and it's not the greatest vehicle to enjoy the Blood Sweat and Tears experience.

While the musicianship is first rate (just ask them), this set often comes across as a desperate attempt to prove themselves a relevant form in 1977 and the between song patter from David Clayton-Thomas can be embarrassing at times. 

There are not too many highlights on offer, I've picked You've Made Me.. because it's a spirited version. It's also the last song in the set. Things may have been way different if they'd kicked off with this and gone on from there.

All up - beware!

Where do they all belong? If you are new to BS&T go to a greatest hits package and avoid anything they did live!

Get back my tomorrow (Joe Bonamassa) (LP 698 - 700)

Joe Bonamassa  Driving Towards The Daylight (CD, J&R Adventures, 2012) *** 

Joe Bonamassa  An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House (CD, J&R Adventures, 2013) *** 

Joe Bonamassa  Different Shades Of Blue (CD, J&R Adventures, 2014) *** 

Genre: Blues rock 

Places I remember: JB HiFi (Palmerston North)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Love Ain't A Love Song (DSOB)

Gear costume: Heavenly Soul (DTTD); High Water Everywhere (Acoustic)

Active compensatory factors: Although he appears to be a ubiquitous presence in blues rock circles, there is no doubting the guitar chops of Joe Bonamassa.

The acoustic live set is a different look, so it stands out from the other live sets he's released. Daylight and Shades of Blue are studio albums, his 10th and 11th.

Where do they all belong? My favourite album remains the live shakedown of the New Day Yesterday album. That song and Rory's Cradle Rock are the peak performances for me. 

He's very prolific - especially in concert recordings. I'm not fussed with the Beth Hart collaborations but if you want to see him cranking out classic rock with Jimmy Barnes, check this out!