Issue #23 Extra!: Archives, Collections & Reissues
Mick Greenwood - "To Friends"
Carol Grimes - "Carol Grimes"
Carol Grimes - "Sweet F.A"
Carol Grimes - "Daydreams and Dangers"
Carol Grimes - "Why Don't They Dance"
Hugh Hopper Band – “Alive!”
Glenn Hughes/Geoff Downes - "The Work Tapes"
Uncle Dog - "Old Hat"
Various Artists - "Music for Films III"
Glenn Hughes/Geoff Downes - "The Work Tapes"
(Blueprint, BP285CD, 1998, CD)
Leave it to Geoff Downes to seek out another bassist, vocalist heavyweight
talent as a possible big time collaborator. I honestly don't think the ex
member of the Buggles and Yes has ever lived down the mistake of giving
fellow Asia member, John Wetton his walking papers. On the other hand, Glenn
Hughes has a longer career path starting from Trapeze to his high profile
replacement role in Deep Purple (taking over for Roger Glover). Mutual
friend, Pat Thrall intoduced the two players in 1990 and dicussions began on
what has become known in bootleg circles as the "The Work Tapes". The ten
tracks explore the more soulful side of power ballads as Downes fills the
foundation role more than adequatley on "Don't Walk Away" where Hughes gives
his utmost blues rendition ala Percy Sledge. Since most of these tracks have
the barest accompaniment (synth and drum programming), they are stark
renditions of raw ideas direct from the joint composer's muse. The funky side
of things is explored by a few songs including "Push" and obviously "Funk
Music" with it's ascending bass line. At times it seems you could be
listening to a late 80's female vocalist soul album by "Whitney Houston" or
even Michael Bolton. Due major label ineptitude, this earmarked set has never
officially seen the light of day until rescued by Rob Ayling's foresight.
Fans of Asia will realize the implications, but in the hands of an informed
label rep, these sessions could have been platinum ten years ago - but then
again, maybe not. - Jeff Melton
Various Artists - "Music for Films III"
(All Saints, ASCD04, 1992, CD)
The All Saints label began as a veritable home for the electronic, ambient
inclined artist who needed a new vehicle to deliver a powerful message.
"Music for Films III" is a sampler of these artists where the context for
each composer has only been altered slightly to fit celluloid rather than
CD. Brian Eno had already embraced the concept ten years prior and is
represented by a set of three solo recordings (also featured on his
acclaimed "Ambient" boxed set) as well as three joint pieces with Daniel
Lanois (best known for sharing a Grammy while working for U2). Michael Brook
gets to show off his guitar effects system during a live performance
recorded in Berlin on "Err". John Paul Jones offers a rare track that
emphasizes looped saxophones to create a tone of urgency. Brian's brother,
Roger donates a solo piece and a collaboration on "Fleeting Smile" and
"Theme for Opera", driven by a piercing wall of synths. The sleeper track
from the fifteen pieces is by Misha Mahlin and Lydia Kavina, "For Her
Atoms", a solemn drone that does not dominate the sound horizon. Almost all
tracks have undergone studio treatment as part of their post-production
efforts in Eno's Suffolk studios. As a label sampler that is now being
distributed from Voiceprint in the UK, now is the opportunity to direct a
keen focus to a label full of textural riches, which unfortunately was
easily overlooked the first time around. - Jeff Melton
Mick Greenwood - "To Friends"
(Voiceprint, VP223CD, 1972/2001, CD)
Who is Mick Greenwood might you ask? Apparently the man is American and made
a ploy to become a pop star in the UK after being discovered in a New York
club in the early 1970's. He issued three LPs during his career and "To
Friends" is the second in a series of re-issues, which has been re-released
by Voiceprint (UK). A few superstar players also assist on the album from
1972 including guitarist Jerry Donahue (Hellecasters, Ex-Fairport, Ex-Sandy
Denny's Fotheringay) and Tony Cox who arranged the strings on Yes' 1970 LP,
"Time and a Word". Greenwood falls squarely into the singer/songwriter
bracket of early seventies performers with a vocal delivery like Tim Hardin
and a lyrical slant like Al Stewart (e.g. "Year of the Cat"). Arrangements
range from country-rock such as on the opening title track and "See
Yourself" to bluesy rock ballads ("Share the Load" and "Berzerk"). "Mother
Earth" and "All Aboard the Train" remind me of a unique hybrid between
"Madman Across the Water"-era Elton John meets Loudon Wainwright III. Not
sure why this artist never received the push from Decca to make the radio
airwaves, but at least his legacy is now available after the fact. For more
information on this lost talent from three decades, refer to the man's
self-titled website: www.mickgreenwood.com -
Jeff Melton
Uncle Dog - "Old Hat"
(La Cooka Ratcha, LCVP121D, 1972/2000)
Carol Grimes - "Carol Grimes"
(La Cooka Ratcha, LCVP123CD, 1975/2000)
Carol Grimes - "Sweet F.A"
(La Cooka Ratcha, LCVP122CD, 1979/2000)
Carol Grimes - "Daydreams and Dangers"
(La Cooka Ratcha, LCVP126CD, 1987/2000)
Carol Grimes - "Why Don't They Dance"
(La Cooka Ratcha, LCVP125CD, 1990/2000)
Upon the demise of Delivery (Phil Miller's quartet augmented by Janis Joplin
stylized blues vocalist, Carol Grimes), Grimes moved off to join another
blues based, less improvisational group, "Uncle Dog". This group featured
the songwriting and keyboard work of David Skinner whom would go on to back
Bryan Ferry and Phil Manzanera's 801 Live ("Listen Now" tour) as well as
bassist John Porter filled a guest spot on Roxy Music's "For Your Pleasure".
Notable tracks include the opening track, "River Road" which has a similar
feel to Rod Stewart and the Faces "Every Picture Tells a Story" era. Paul
Kossoff (ex-Free) made a rare guest guitar appearance on "We've Got Time", a
moody piano grounded ballad. Overall, not a bad album per se, but the LP was
probably buried in the sea of British blues-rock releases from that era.
"Sweet F.A." was another band related project five years hence, which
culminated from members of the Hollies (drummer, Tony Hicks), guitarist
Peter Kirtley (known for his work with Alan Hull) and Grimes (who co-wrote
three of the songs). "If you were there" is typical of the late night smooth
jazz, which permeated the FM airwaves back in the late seventies. Grimes'
self-titled album chronicles her only US trip to Memphis and a solo album
with crack shot local session players including Donald "Duck" Dunn, veteran
pianist Buddy Emmans and the Memphis Horns section. Given the chance to
explore R&B and soul roots was a dream come true for the vocalist since she
was able to explore the music of Isaac Hayes ("My Baby Specializes") as well
as Booker T ("Private Number"). 1987's "Daydreams and Danger" includes
Zappatista's keyboardist and arranger, Steve Lodder and Janette Mason in a
live performance recorded for her own company, Note the Change. This set of
ten tracks represents the best aspects of her vocal chops when backed by
synth and foundation keys. The bulk of the tracks comprise live versions of
"Eyes Wide Open" including the wistful title track and Lodder's own
composition, "Walls" with late night piano intro a cabaret style vocal part.
"Why don't they Dance" is the last reissue in the series with Jim Dvorak
adding trumpet (recently with Phil Miller's In Cahoots). This work is a true
return to the blues in a big band format.
Opening track, "Cool Fire" is indicative of the eleven tracks with a ballsy
delivery from Grimes reminiscent of the essence of Joplin if she had lived.
And then there is the cover of Aretha Franklin signature piece, "Chain of
Fools" which works quite well too. "Eyes Wide Open" from 1984 is also
available in the series from Voiceprint. In summary, Carol Grimes is a
well-traveled performer in the eighteen-year span covered by these archival
recordings. - Jeff Melton
Hugh Hopper Band – “Alive!”
(Blueprint BP150, 1993, CD)
After his glory days with Soft Machine, Hugh Hopper went through some lean
times (musically at least), until the mid to late 80s, when he hooked up
with a crew of Dutch musicians for a number of tours of Holland. This CD
is the record of those proceedings. Seven of the nine tracks were recorded
on the 1987 tour; the other two date from 1985. Joining Hopper in the band
are saxmen Frank van der Kooy and Kees van Veldhuizen, keyboardist Dionys
Breukers, guitarist Hans van der Zee, and drummers Pieter Bast (1987) and
André Maes (1985). The playing stays pretty solidly within jazz idioms,
never rocking hard and not too wild. The recording quality is good except
the 1985 cuts, which are above-average for bootleg, but noticeably inferior
to the others. Hopper’s “Glider” gets things off to a breezy start, providing
a solo opportunity for piano, and some nice ensemble playing. Other band
members contribute a few compositions to the set, including van der Kooy’s
“Forget the Dots” in a quick 7/4 with a great sax solo (from the composer?),
and two from van der Zee. Probably my favorite of Hopper’s contributions is
“Turfschip Enterprise,” a slow funk groove in three featuring guitar that
mutates into a bouncy swinging tempo for a sax solo. Aside from the
distracting poor recording of the two 1985 tracks, only some dated
keyboard sounds serve as a slight detriment to this set. Jon Davis
[www.voiceprint.co.uk]