NEKTAR
- "Man in the Moon"
Although
I have obviously heard of Nektar this is the first time I can recall
ever hearing their music which is a pity because this album was released
in 1980 8 years after their first album and shortly before their disbandment,
a time hardly conducive to producing progressively inclined epics!
And so it proves on this album. The opening 4 tracks are very much 'AOR',
a format to be perfected 2 years later by Asia. (Perhaps Styx and REO
Speedwagon had already cornered this market!)
'Torraine' is more interesting, more challenging rhythmically and compositionally
recalling Andy Latimer and Camel in the guitar work. It's no surprise
then that this is the longest track so far at 5½ minutes.
'We' also has an interesting riff carried by Rote Albrighton's guitar
and Allan Freeman's Hammond chords but this is all to short as we are
soon back to a straightforward song format somewhat at odds with the
freer music it surrounds. Some parts like 'You're Alone' reminded of
Uriah Heep, not a bad thing at all!
The title track is the longest one at nearly 7 minutes and in some ways
the most satisfying. There is a sense of foreboding here and a spirited
guitar break by Albrighton.
The rockier approach on 'Straight Jacket' with the organ 'breaking loose'
almost has an early Genesis touch but in the lyrics and the guitar break
near the end Nektar sound like they were trying to be AC/DC with a Hammond
organ!
There is not enough of an experimental edge here to satisfy my ears
but hearing this CD has intrigued me sufficiently to want to hear earlier
works such as 'Journey to the Centre of the Eye' or 'Remember the Future'
which was actually a Top 20 'hit' in the USA.
(VP 259 CD) (Voiceprint) 
(Phil
Jackson)
CRAWLER
- Demo Anthology 1975 - 1978 (Angel Air)
After
the tragic death of Paul Kossof, Back Street Crawler regrouped under
the name Crawler. This CD is a compilation of demos culled from keyboard
player Rabbit Bundrick's archive.
Crawler
specialised in a unique 70s rock hybrid of rock, R&B and UK style
blues. Despite the early US FM radio success of "Stone Cold Sober"
from their debut LP, and some relentless US touring, they never managed
to make the break through to the big time.
Which
was a shame, because the five mainstays Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson,
Geoff Whitehorn, Terry Slesser and John 'Rabbit' Bundrick were more
than capable of cooking up a storm. In particular, The Notting Hill
demo's which come from the period of rehearsing and preparing the first
Epic album are truly wonderful.
The
final selection of tracks from the "St. Johns Wood sessions"
were recorded in preparation for their 2nd album 'Snake, Rattle &
Roll', again highlight the depth of qulaity performances and material
which went largely overlooked at the time.
It
was over far too soon for Crawler who split after a final, brief, tour
of the U.S, in the late 1978. The band moved on to different (and for
some, better) things; Rabbit to the Who, Geoff To Roger Chapman's band
and countless session appearances, Terry Slesser to Charlie, and Tony
and Terry became highly sought-after session players.
You
would be better off listening to the original albums first, but this
is a truly excellent release.
SNOWY WHITE
& THE WHITE FLAMES - Restless (Hypertension)
And
in a "ooh crikey" moment, what should be up next but a new
release featuring John "Rabbit" Bundrick, this time as a guest
on the latest Snowy White release.
Taking
some time out from touring the world with Roger Waters, Snowy hasn't
changed much since his hit single days of yore, when "Bird Of Paradise"
could be spotted nesting in the upper echelons of the chart. He remains
a consummate musician with an ease of expression around the guitar,
that belies the years of practising. Vocally, it's still that whole
relaxed J J Cale, Chris Rea vibe, but thanks, in particular, to the
fabulous bass playing of Walter Latupeirissa, there's a vibrancy to
much of the material here.
When
Snowy kicks out ("Restless Too"), those of old enough to remember,
think back to his underrated work in Thin Lizzy, and smile. And to show
that he can still tug at the heartstrings, there's always the likes
of "You Can't Break My Heart". Those who know me can picture
me rocking on my porch at the end of the day, with the sun slowly sinking,
and "Restless" playing away.
Personally,
I love this, and would recommend it to anyone in need of a spiritual
massage
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