Year: 1970 (CD Nov 26, 2012)
Label: Esoteric Recordings (UK), ECLEC2362
Style: Progressive Rock, Rock
Country: UK
Time: 45:04
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 296 Mb
Although
the Greatest Show on Earth (GSOE) were not the first bunch of rockers
to incorporate a powerful brass and woodwind section, they are among the
best and heaviest-sounding British bands to have emerged from the
post-psychedelia of the late '60s and early '70s. GSOE were, in essence,
the invention of EMI Records subsidiary Harvest, who were focusing in
on new and progressive artists such as Pink Floyd and Deep Purple. When
the group was initially signed in 1968, they were an R&B/soul revue
whose forte was more along the lines of Stax or Motown, instead of
trippy acid rock. After ditching their original vocalist, Ozzie Lane,
they eventually settled on Colin Horton Jennings, a multi-faceted
performer who would begin to compose originals that would allow the
octet to incrementally abandon their Yankee soul leanings. After a few
months of woodshedding new tunes, they emerged with a fresh sound and
material for their debut, Horizons (1970). The extracted single "Real
Cool World" is marked by its open-throttle, galloping tempo and some
equally pungent electric organ riffs. As such, it was also given a few
cursory spins on BBC's Radio One; however, the remainder of the disc was
criminally overlooked. To modern ears, this is a great shame, as the
effort is full of well-crafted and adeptly executed material. Of primary
interest is the aggressive rocker "Angelina" and the groovy "Skylight
Man." The latter title features a brief and buoyant trumpet-led
introduction by Dick Hanson that recalls the Tijuana Brass more so than,
say, Blood, Sweat & Tears or Chicago. The darker "I Fought for
Love" stands as one of the edgier sides and is augmented by some stellar
organ leads and fills from Mick Deacon. The title track extends over a
quarter-hour and allows the combo room to demonstrate their remarkable
improvisational skills in the context of an ensemble. In particular, Ron
Prudence (drums/percussion) and Norman Watt-Roy (bass/vocals) stand out
as a rock-solid rhythm section. Although they stuck around for a
follow-up effort, The Going's Easy, the Greatest Show on Earth were
never given the due that this release so evidently deserves.
(allmusic.com/album/horizons-mw0000350294)
No comments:
Post a Comment