Rise Above Records
Don’t be puzzled or put off when you read through the track list and realize you’ve never heard of any of the bands on this album because this, the second selection of ‘an occasional series of 1970s British Heavy Rock bands that never made it’ compilation is as obscure as they come. Obscure they maybe but bloody hell, damn good! Those of you that know me know that I rarely review albums track by track but here, being a compilation of ten bands, it seems appropriate. However, before I begin, it must be said that probably one of the things that held the bands back from the start was their choice of name. In 2026, they don’t seem odd but half century ago, trust me, they would have been. As for the recordings, they range from semi-pro to utter-amateur but the audio restoration by Colin Young has made this feel like a coherent compilation; well done that man. Anyway, here goes…
Mind Exchange: Terrific guitar sound with an acid drum beat behind a not-very-sexy vocal love song. Early Pink Floyd meets Hendrix.
B.O.M.B.: Monotonous in a good way riff with a 75-ish Bolan vocal. Worth listening to for the guitar solos on their own which are tasteful.
Grind: In parts over-produced and under-produced, Grind sound like they were experimenting in the studio and didn’t know when to stop. Very enjoyable though and you can hear how it would have been better live.
Wicked Nun: One of the lighter and danceable tunes on the album, it changes halfway through to a Blues, the whole thing being a lot like how Canned Heat could have been.
Fusion Farm: This band actually signed a record deal. Easy to see why as the song is well structured with a few embellishments. Subtle bass lines.
Bonehead: Robert Plant is largely responsible for this band and it’s one of the songs and bands that would have the most potential back then. Needless to say, a bit Zeppelin-y.
Peaceful Persuasion: Heavy as hell, it’s amazing these teenagers were not snapped up by a label and became big. Great tune, vocals, guitar and sounds all round.
Good Knight: A curious mixture. Piano laden driven tune with a Doors-ish vocal and arrangement, nobody seems to know anything about them. Great stuff, you can imagine the psychedelic light show.
Joy: Progressive and heavy, a sort of Family with Tony Iommi on guitar band. One of the best songs on the album.
Cat Iron: Take the name any way you want, the music is top drawer. There’s a Wishbone Ash influence in there for reasons that will become apparent when you read the sleeve notes.
All in all, rather enjoyable!
Track List
1. Mind Exchange – Vale Of Time
2. B.O.M.B. – Like A Dreamer
3. Grind - Revenge
4. Wicked Nun – Love So Bad
5. Fusion Farm – Keys To Hell
6. Bonehead – Free To Escape
7. Peaceful Persuasion – Hoping To Be someone Totally Different Tomorrow
8. Good Knight – Loving Scream
9. Joy – Evil Woman
10. Cat Iron – You Know You’ve Been Wrong
ALBUM
VARIOUS ARTISTS
YEAH MAN, IT'S BLOODY HEAVY!
VOL.2
ALBUM
BERNIE MARSDEN
STAGE
Conquest Music
It is very fitting that the final posthumous release from Bernie by Conquest Music is a double live album because not only did Bernie come through that era when the double live album actually meant something, they were actually live and also because as any of you know that saw him live, on the stage was where he was in his element. Prepare yourself for this one my dear music lover, it may well have you in tears by the end of it.
Four sides of a double album, four gigs, four very different venues, a different aspect to each gig, this is as complete a representation of Bernie in front of an audience as you can get. The pacing of the album is the masterstroke in this release as it moves through gears. Beginning with Bernie on an acoustic on Side A, Side B is electric, Side C a grittier electric and the Side D has him in full flight; the album ending with a terrific guitar duel/duet with Joe Bonamassa. On the way, you’ll hear him sing with wrought emotion on ‘Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City’ (move over Mr Coverdale), shuffle and smile through ‘Boss of the Blues’ and let his guys onstage take the spotlight on ’I’ll Play the Blues for You’. It is an album for listening, a record to learn from. It perfectly captures the very essence of what Bernie was, a musician’s musician.
Make no mistake, this is no ordinary ‘what have we got in the cupboard’ cash-in by a label. Great care and affection for Bernie have gone into the whole release beginning with the selection of songs and performances. The four previous releases in the Bernie Marsden Inspirations series have been looked at and there is very little overlap in the track list and the ones that do have studio versions are on here for a very good reason. Then there are the mixing and mastering. A big nod must go to the team at Conquest for taking the four gigs and converting them into a very listenable and coherent album.
Three years have passed since we lost Bernie but as with all the great musicians that have departed earth, they leave a legacy, a legacy that should be both honoured and celebrated. Stage does exactly that and even adds to what you already know and love about him and his playing – that’s quite an achievement. It’s sheer class from beginning to end and this writer is as envious as hell of the bloke who had to sit through all of Bernie’s live tapes to compile it.
Track List
(2 x CD release contains all tracks)
LP Side A
Til the Day I Die
The Time Is Right for Love
Out on the Western Plains
Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City
LP Side B
Boss of the Blues
Reconsider Baby
Watch Out
Worried Life Blues
LP Side C
Down Home Blues
I’m Tore Down
Love That Burns
Oh Well
LP Side D
Walking in the Shadow of the Blues
I’ll Play the Blues for You
Walking by Myself