This
release promises much – previously unheard recordings from influential blues
rock band Blodwyn Pig led by original Jethro Tull guitarist Mick Abrahams.
Unreleased material from this band (especially the formative years) must be as
rare as the proverbial hen’s teeth and the project gathers interest as we learn
that the band’s Mick Abrahams and Jack Lancaster have been responsible for the
sourcing and remastering.
The
late Mick Farren even supplies the sleeve notes and reiterates that fans of the
band have had to console themselves with the only two official releases.
Non-converts of a certain age must remember that iconic “pig” cover on ‘Ahead
Rings Out’ (1969). The Farren connection (not alluded to in the sleeve notes)
comes from Lancaster’s association with the writer when asked to set some of his
poems to music.
This
archive package (like many on the Gonzo label) is sparse on any detail and there
appears to be the omission of one track ‘Hound Dog’. It’s all really careless
and detracts from an otherwise top-notch enterprise.
There
are no sources given in the sparse liner notes, no enlightening essay from the
main movers and shakers. In short, it’s a missed opportunity by the label.
Thankfully, the music and quality carries this release.
There
are alternate versions of two tracks from their 1969 debut ‘Dear Jill’ and ‘The
Change Song’ plus an outtake ‘It’s Only Love’, and from the 1970 follow-up
‘Getting To This’: ‘Drive Me’ and ‘See My Way’.
There
are two non-album tracks recorded for a John Peel radio session (‘Baby Girl’ and
‘Same Old Story’ – the former appeared on the now deleted ‘Basement Tapes’
released by Hux in 2000 and the latter on the inferior ‘Radio Sessions 67-71′
(Secret Music, 2012)), several live tracks including a marvellous instrumental
‘Cosmogrification’ recorded live at Luton Town Hall in 1973. (Another
instrumental ‘Monkinit’ is a studio effort which sounds like it was recorded
during the band’s 1990′s reformation period).
Blodwyn
Pig were a strange hybrid of blues and jazz rock which made them stand out from
many of their UK contemporaries and this eclectic mix achieved greater fruition
with their second album.
Jack
Lancaster would later be involved in session and film work (check out also his
little-known solo album ‘Skinnigrove Bay’ (1980) and his collaboration with
Robin Lumley, ‘Marscape’(1976)), whilst Abrahams himself has not enjoyed good
health in recent years but has nevertheless continued to perform and release
albums.
Although
this album has been previously available direct from Mick Abrahams (on his
Squirrel Music imprint in 2005) it does beg the question: there must be more
material available – at least from the live sessions and gigs? And does this
raise the prospect of a “Volume 2”? It would be worth it if only for the record
label to get their act together in respect of the packaging. ***1/2
Review
by David Randall
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO
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