Atomic Rooster- Atomic Ro-o-ster (1970)

Atomic Rooster- Atomic Ro-o-ster (1970)

Atomic Rooster - Atomic Roooster (1970/2004 Castle Expanded Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Atomic Rooster
Album: Atomic Roooster
Released: 1970/2004
Castle (CMQCD 868)
Genre: Heavy Prog

This 2004 reissue of the first Atomic Roooster LP bests all prior pressings -- domestic and import alike -- with flawless digital remastering, the resurrection of the original running order, as well as five significant bonus sides. The trio of Vince Crane (organ/vocals), Carl Palmer (drums), and eventually Nick Graham (vocals/bass) had formed out of the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, where both Crane and Palmer had played key roles on the chart-topping single "Fire." As the former had been Arthur Brown's musical director, it is fitting that he penned the vast majority of the Rooster's initial outing. The songs reflect the author's darker and at times fatalistic demeanor, most directly in the repetitive "What is the point of going on?" chorus that distinguishes the incongruously delicate folkie and pastoral "Winter," or the sardonic sexual superiority of "And So to Bed." These stylistically contrast the forceful "Friday 13th," "S.L.Y.," and "Before Tomorrow." Equally divergent are the horn-driven "Broken Wings" and incendiary jazz fusion workout "Decline and Fall." The latter is an interesting departure as it provides each musician an opportunity to interact with substantive fluidity. When Elektra Records added Atomic Rooster to its roster, Palmer had already flown the proverbial coop, replaced by Paul Hammond (drums), while John Cann (guitar/vocals) had taken Graham's place. Such a considerable shift in personnel convinced the band to have Cann record guitar parts overtop of "S.L.Y." and "Before Tomorrow," as well as redo the lead vocal for "Friday 13th." In North America the album was released with a completely different feel, which was undoubtedly as much a result of the reconfigured tune stack as it was the additions and/or subtractions. The 2004 edition of Atomic Roooster includes the U.S. version(s) of all three and two tunes from a rare BBC Radio appearance by the incipient incarnation performing "Friday 13th" and the not-yet-released "Seven Lonely Streets" (aka "Seven Streets"), which surfaced on the follow-up LP, Death Walks Behind You (1970). [Castle's 2004 reissue has five bonus tracks.]

Line-up/Musicians

- Vincent Crane / Hammond organ, piano, vocals
- Nick Graham / lead vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, flute
- Carl Palmer / drums, percussion

This (and i have this on good authority from the man himself)is supposedly the vast majority of what was supposed to be the second crazy world of Arthur Brown album, of course they split up leaving me thinking what a great album it would have been. Nick Graham just doesn't cut it in this type of music (he went off to join the truely amazing Skin Alley where his singing fitted just perfectly-search out their first three albums great examples of early U.K jazzy/prog)On this he tries too hard and on 'broken wings' well embarassing is, maybe too polite. Nevertheless this album contains some absolute corckers 'banstead''sly''friday 13th' and the keyboard and drum extravanga 'decline and fall' Carl Palmer shows that away from the intricacies of ELP he could rock with the best of them, but the show belongs to Vincent Crane (R.I.P) who's hammond work is exciting and dynamic and the guy could write a great ballad 'winter' when he put his mind to it. John Cann joined soon after and they made the absolute dynamic 'death walks behind you' but this is a worthy beginning.

Tracklist:

1. Friday the 13th
2. And So to Bed
3. Winter
4. Decline and Fall
5. Banstead
6. S.L.Y.
7. Broken Wings
8. Before Tomorrow
9. Friday the 13th [US Version][*]
10. Before Tomorrow [US Version][*]
11. S.L.Y. [US Version][*]
12. Friday the 13th [BBC Radio Session][*]
13. Seven Lonely Streets [BBC Radio Session][*]