Even if this poses as Heckstall-Smith's first solo effort after the groups break-up, I've always seen it as a Colosseum album. H-S wrote or co-wrote all songs, John Hiseman produced and plays on two tracks, Chris Farlowe sings on one and Mark Clarke provides all bass. The other musicians involved makes it a dream setting. Paul Williams (Zoot Money and Juicy Lucy) sings on three, studio wiz Caleb Quaye plays guitar on all but one and H-S old playmate Graham Bond does key-boards on three tracks and sings on one. Even with these personnel changes it still has a Colosseum feel to it and a familiar mix of complicated jazz, rock and touching melodies. All is good on here, but one cut is truly exceptional. The group broke up as they just started recording a new album and one track was almost finished - the eleven minute "The Pirate's Dream". Written by Heckstall-Smith/Clemson/Hiseman this is the actual Colosseum recording - with Chris Spedding on guitar instead of Clemson. It's a fantastic musical journey with odd melodies and rythmic gaming, sliding easily between rock riffs and jazz licks, with mid-section moog play by Graham Bond. The sax parts are stunningly beautiful and Farlowe does some of his best vocals ever. Sadly this didn't sell a lot and is now one of those forgotten gems. But if you're a fan of Colosseum, into the genre, or just interested in good music performed by the best, it's a standing recommendation. First US on Warner Brothers (BS 2650), German on Bronze (86257 IT). Re-issued in Japan 2006 on CD (Air Mail Archive AIRAC 1187) and UK 2004 (Castle CRMCD962). First UK with ILPS no. and "i" logo bottom label, fully laminated f/o cover and maroon lyric inner. (CÖL*)(PRÖZ*)
Have to check this out. For some reason I never really did. Colosseum was awesome. What I wouldn't to see them as they were in 1971.
SvaraRaderaI did hear a live version of Pirate's Dream (along with another unreleased song) on some bootleg though, played by the original band in late '71. Audio quality is of course subpar.
I'm sure You'll love it. All is good here to my taste, but it's worth a lot just to have the last original Colosseum recording. I'm curious about the boot version You heard - was that with Clemson or Spedding?
SvaraRadera