Customer Reviews

Ahead Rings Out

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I don't give away five star reviews, and have only given one other CD a five-star rating (Santana's Caravanserai). The quality of the re-release on CD is superb, opinions to the contrary not-withstanding. I don't remember the rich detail I am hearing now, the squeaking steel strings on The Change Song, the high-hat symbals on "Sing Me A Song That I Know" - you can hear every little detail. As for the musicianship, even if the recording was of poor technical quality - and I emphatically state that is not the case here -- the music alone would carry this CD. This is blues/rock in the tradition of John Mayall, Ten Years After, and early Jethro Tull. It's incredibly exciting to me to listen to. I can't decide which song is my favorite. "Up and Coming" has me well doing just that! Oops sorry this is a family forum. This is no rehash of familiar blues formulas. Listen to the tight brass section, the strong, sure blues guitar rifs. The band never falters. And what an awesome singing voice Mick has. This band has fearlessly re-invented blues to fit their own unique sound and talents. There's so much to like here that you have to listen to understand why I'm babbling on like this!

The songs "see my way" and "summer day",which were on the original album, are not on this cd which to me are two of the greatest songs this band ever performed.

The BGO CD follows the track layout of the original (4/69) British LP release. For the 8/69 US release three tracks were replaced by newer songs:

"Sing Me A Song That I Know" was replaced by "Walk On The Water"

"Up and Coming" was replaced by "See My Way"

"Leave It With Me" was replaced by "Summer Day"

I just found out today that all three "missing" US tracks were included on the 2nd Blodwyn Pig CD from BGO, "Getting To This." They're not listed on the cover, but they're on the disc. In two years of owning a copy I never noticed!

Unfortunately, BGO dropped "Meany Mornay" from GTT and substituted "To Rassman" from the British release... so "Meany" is still missing, the only Pig track that is.

Blodwyn Pig were formed by Jethro Tull's original guitar player Mick Abrams immediately following Tull's initial release, "This Was". While the U.S. version contained a much different line up of tracks than the U.K. version, this is stll a great collection. (A word to the disgruntled fan: "See My Way", "Walk on the Water" and "Summer Day" are all on the follow-up disc, "Getting to This". "See My Way", however, fades out rather than ending at full volume like the U.S. version.) That said, this version of "Ahead Rings Out" contains some fine jazz and blues recordings that the band probably thought would not find favor with U.S. fans. How sad, because the likes of John Mayall and early Fleetwood Mac could have cared less what we thought and their albums still fared quite well with us. Still this version is not exactly the original British release because "Backwash" and "Ain't Ya Comin' Home" were entirely different recordings. "Comin' Home" moved at a slower pace and the versions here of both tracks are identical the ones found on the U.S. pressing. I feel that BGO should have gone the extra mile and included both versions on the CD plus the U.S. version of "See My Way". Until something other than this is done, this version along with "Getting to This" will more than suffice!

Buyer Beware!Missing from this CD is the controversial Walk on the Water and the 'Bolero' tinged See My Way.These two songs were on the original album and they are NOT on the CD.

this debut album is the better of the two original blodwyn pig albums; i really don't like the modern alchemist, but everything else is first rate. unfortunately, nobody can keep straight what songs belong on what albums. there are american AND european versions of both. the stunning " see my way" belongs to the first u.s. album-but it is on the getting to this cd. i think they should just put out a 2cd set with both albums and any spare b sides, live stuff etc. this is like abrahams' old band, jethro tull, but more far out and challenging. dear jill and it's only love are two stand out tracks. abrahams was a fine vocalist and songwriter in addition to being a splendid guitarist. and jack lancaster was, along with traffic's chris wood, among the better sax players in rock music at the time. bassist andy pyle and drummer ron berg, who surprisingly would one day end up with the kinks, give fine support on bass and drums, respectively. a solid, assured debut that will please tull fans, jazz/blues rock buffs, and 60's enthusiasts.

I first heard this album in 1970 shortly after it's release. I loved it then and still do but I'm not certain that it is the same album. I'm quite sure that this album had See my Way on it as well and to see it now not present is a disappointment. I'm sure that that cut is available on another disc but if your expecttion is to hear it on this disc check out the track listings. Notwithstanding this was a great tight blues / rock band that in my opinion had a lot more music in it before it dissolved. This disc brings back memories of Savoy Brown's Raw sienna and jethro Tull's This Was. Thanks for the oppurtunity to hear this again!

I assume(forget the standard joke) that if you made it to this review you know the band. I'm just upgrading from vinyl. This is heavy music that must be played loud. One warning: Do not buy "Live at the Laffayette". It is terrible.

This much needed CD version of the vinyl lp IS MISSING KEY SONGS like "Walk On Water" and "Summers Day"! Buyers Beware!

I've been a big fan of the British Blues since the mid-sixties, I have all of Mayall's, Clapton's, Winwood's, Mason's, Savoy Brown's albums, but none of them can compare to this. Tremendous sax work from Jack Lancaster, especially on the relentless "It's Only Love" cut. If anyone is searching for a CD that defines British rock/jazz/fusion in the 60's-70's period, this is it. You will thank me for recommending this one.