Customer Reviews

Fiends & Angels

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

38 minutes approximately. Good warm sound. Having bought this album back in the days of vinyl,I was surprised to see it on cd. Originally I purchased this on the strength of the back-up band. How could you go wrong with Clapton,Webb(of Chicken Shack)and Kossoff on guitar? Add to that Jack Bruce on bass,Brian Auger on organ,Christine McVie on keyboards,Jim Capaldi(Traffic)and Mitch Mitchell on drums,plus the rhythm section from Chicken Shack,the great Duster Bennett on harmonica,and the cream of session horn players at the time-it added up,hopefully,to some good music. I was not disappointed.

Combining several originals with a number of well-known tracks made this a great if unknown album. Velez's voice is similar to Bonnie Bramlett(of Delaney and Bonnie)with just a touch of Julie Driscoll. As was mentioned previously,the sound is straight out of the late sixties-a slight blending of instruments and voice that makes for a good,naturally warm sound. This is an advantage,for Velez's voice could easily sound harsh and cold in a digitally stark remastered version. As expected,the quality of the backing band is great and helps place this album above the average run of the mill release. On various tracks its easy to hear which guitarist is playing,and while there are no long solos,the arrangements are just fine.

It's a shame this album was not more well-known upon it's release,but with so many other albums,by so many great groups during this era,Velez's album was here and gone. Hopefully,it's release on cd may rectify this oversight-because this album is a prime example of the music recorded in an era of much great music. It's good to hear it again,and isn't that the mark of good music?

This album (I use that term because of my still having the vinyl) is most interesting because of all the famous folk who performed on it. A few more should be noted: Spit James, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain, Mick Weaver and Chris Mercer (all of the vastly underappreciated Keef Hartley Band); Chris Wood, John Almond, Richard Hayward, Stan Webb, the list goes on and on. It was even rumored that Jimi Hendrix was on it (not true). The instruments are pretty well recorded and the artists can be picked out easily, though Velez herself said that she thought it sounded "a little rough". Perhaps that adds some edge to the recording. Unfortunately, contrary to the other reviewers, I find it hard to listen to in entirety because Martha's voice is just too shrill for my liking. Still it is an intriguing vignette of rock history and the great well of outstanding talent that was knocking around London at the time.

I own an original Vinyl (DJ Demo actually) of this incredible album, given to me by the Decca/Sire record company Rep' when I was a teenager working in a Record store. I played it for my buddies who were equally wowed, so much so that we talked the Hot Rock Venue in town back then(Ludlow Garage) into bringing Martha to town. She and her Band were great. Shortly thereafter she just kinda' dissappeared. Too bad, what a powerful Voice, she shoulda' been something Big. Glad to see it on a CD finally.

I just can't believe that after all these years, Fiends & Angels has come out on CD...and they've done a great job restoring it. I have FOR ALL THESE YEARS saved my original vinyl copy. Martha has a voice like no other and she thrills me everytime I listen to her. For Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, & Christine McVie fans, you need to add this to your collection. All the instrumentalists are fantastic. Again, I'm just so thrilled to be able to hear Martha in all her clarity. Just a fantastic collection of songs!!!

If you can hear in your mind a tougher, meaner Linda Ronstand singing straight blues, that is what this album sounds like.

Fiends and Angels was recorded in 1969, when blues was the meat and potatos of rock, and British rock, not just a mannered posing style too many fakers overamplify and chew scenery with now. Martha got Eric Clapton, Jim Calpaldi, Mitch Mitchel, all guys at the core of the British Blues Boom, and this is the blues played RIGHT.

This is pretty basic twelve bar foundation blues, with boggie panio and great leads by Clapton. But it is so sincere and so essential a take on the blues, it just works like Muddyy rubbing his chicken foot.

This is how this music is supposed to sound

Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Brian Auger, Jim Capaldi, Mitch Mitchell, Stan Webb, Chis Wood, Paul Kossof and many more are the backup band for Martha in this (we may say today) classic album. Such a "constellation cast" (and playing especially well in this record), would be enough to recommend this CD . Martha's undeniable great singing and Mike Vernon's production do the rest.

Since recorded in 1969, be aware for the possible "dated" atmosphere. Not more than any other band/artist of that time.

Think Janis, backed up by " la creme de la creme" of the british musicians.