genre: heavy prog
state: uk
quality: lossless (ape, cue, log, covers)
time: 44:10 size: 302 mb
progarchives:
In the late sixties, bassist Steve Hawthorn came up with an idea to fuse rock and jazz. By 1969, he'd formed Walrus, an eight-piece monster (the band's roster in the tradition of large orchestral groups would fluctuate many times throughout Walrus's short career) and the band toured heavily around the London area.
In June of the same year, Walrus was picked up by Decca Records, handed some money, and told to produce an album. Their self-titled debut was released in December [though technically a 1970 release] on Decca's Deram label with Hawthorn on bass along with John Scates on guitars, Barry Parfitt on keyboards, Nick Gabb's & Roger Harrison's drums, the vocals of Noel Greenway, and Don Richards, Roy Voce & Bill Hoad on various brass instruments, the track "Who Can I Trust?" being pushed as the single.
However, the outfit was not to be. Another album was never realized and by 1972, despite having attained a large and faithful live following, the band split up. Among the many Walrus alumni, only occasional percussionist Ian Mosely went on to musical success, becoming a member of Marillion.
Although Hawthorn's dream was for Walrus to become a fusion of jazz & rock, the band's style is more reminiscent of orchestral early blues a la Jethro Tull or Room. However, it is progressive blues with the lengthy jams of Tull mixed together with the chaos of Amon Duul II and a touch of early King Crimson to keep everyone sane. A rare treat for fans of early 70s classic prog. ~ Whistle
01. Who Can I Trust? 2:36
02. Rags And Old Iron / Blind Man / Roadside 13:40
03. Why? 4:32
04. Turning / Woman / Turning 7:20
05. Sunshine Needs Me 3:24
06. Coloured Rain/Mother's Dead Face in Memoriam/Coloured Rain (Reprise) 6:06
07. Tomorrow Never Comes 3:36
08. Never Let My Body Touch The Ground 2:56
Steve Hawthorn / 12-string guitar, bass guitar
John Scates / guitar
Noel Greenaway / vocals
Bill Hoad / flute, alto flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, wind
Roy Voce / saxophone, tenor saxophone
Don Richards / trumpet, celesta
Barry Parfitt / piano, organ, keyboards
Roger Harrison / drums, claves, cowbells, tambourine
Nick Gabb / drums
If you like your rock on the jazz/funk side a very cool re-issue by Cherry Red's Esoteric label, remastering by PASCHAL BYRNE at the Audio Archiving Company from the original Deram analogue master tapes is FANTASTIC - great drums, muscular brass center stage, rocking guitars in the left with piano and organ on the right - clear vocals - all of it - really good. Walrus CD. Reissue of rare 1970 UK progressive rock that blends rock, blues and jazz, featuring a horn section and a cover of Traffic's "Coloured Rain." They don't always combine these styles either as the opening track is a flat out bluesy rock brawler with the odd horn action that really does sound out of place. Other cuts are pure UK dreamy progressive, what is usually always present though, thank goodness, is the solid guitar work. If I was to describe Walrus musically, think BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS meets CHICAGO meets SPIRIT meets the rocking side of BLODWYN PIG and especially the Blods 1969 Island masterpiece "Ahead Rings Out".
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Oldish Psych & Prog offers progressive psychedelic rock music mp3 lossless downloads
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