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the post "Album review: RICK WAKEMAN & TONY ASHTON – Gas Tank"
Gonzo
Multimedia [Release date 03.03.17]
Where
can you hear Rick Wakeman accompanying Rick Parfitt, Alvin Lee and Phil Lynott
and – no – it’s not at the Pearly Gates. Back in the early 1980s there was a
Channel 4 TV show called ‘Gas Tank’ that ran for six episodes.
Hosted
by Rick Wakeman and Tony Ashton (of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke) it was like an
eighties “Later with Jools Holland” but not as annoying. Rick was a far more
engaging and certainly less smarmy host. Wakeman and the house band would
accompany any number of rock royalty – including John Entwistle, Eric Burdon and
Chris Farlowe – and whilst there was an emphasis on cover versions and “rock and
roll” there were a few originals thrown in for good measure.
Wakeman
would also interview the artists but these sections are omitted from this
strictly music based 3-CD collection although retaining some introductions.
Several of these tracks are priceless: for example Phil Lynott with John Sykes
on ‘Growing Up’ and ‘The Man’s A Fool’.
You
may well ask: where are the visuals? Well, last year there was a PledgeMusic
campaign when you could obtain a handsome limited edition box set which included
the CDs and DVDs, also available separately. Although signed, the 3-CD set
would have set you back the best part of forty quid.
It’s
a pity a DVD of the highlights wasn’t included in this latest package which –
like many Gonzo Multimedia releases – is terribly packaged. The inlay is awful
with just a selection of photos and the track listing but no backstory. Where
is Malcolm Dome when you really need him?
A
quick gander at YouTube reveals several clips including one where Rick Parfitt
sheds light on the beginnings of Quo and their ethos, with an amusing interlude
when he divulges to Rick the name of his original band.
A
curio, and worth checking out for completists and those interested in specific
artists. And, wait a minute, there are even four tracks featuring Steve
Hackett, one called “Hackett’s Bogie”, and two when he plays harmonica with Suzi
Quatro. Priceless. ***
Review
by David Randall
David
Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday
at 22:00 GMT.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
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