Customer Reviews

Forms & Feelings

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4 star:		(3)
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When I first heard "Forms And Feelings", I was floored--I had heard of Dave Edmunds before, mainly from his work with Rockpile and solo albums, but I had no idea he was the guitarist of Love Sculpture! I purchased a now out-of-print double CD called "The Early Edmunds", which covered his career from 1967-1972 from his first band, The Human Beans through early Rockpile, and right in between was Love Sculpture; it includes both this album and "Blues Helping", and one listen to their versions of the classical pieces "Farandole" by Georges Bizet, and "Sabre Dance" by Khachaturian, and I was left speechless by Edmunds' fast, fluid and energetic guitar leads; articulating each and every note with dexterity, skill and passion. Edmunds was like the Yngwie Malmsteen of his day; no one (including myself) could believe that a guitarist from the 60's could play that fast and that well; I thought Hendrix was all that, until I heard this Dave Edmunds guy, and my opinion changed quickly!

I agree with the man in the previous review that the omission of "Mars" was the only downside to this CD; apparently, the U.K. version of this album could not include it because the great-granddaughter of Gustav Holst (the composer of "Mars") sought legal action to prevent it from being released, but her influence was non-existent in the U.S. (due to variances in copyright laws), and "Mars" does appear on the Parrot Records release; it's inclusion on the U.S. album fit in nicely with the rest of the songs, with it's trippy sound and remarkable ending, segueing into the ridiculously fast, 11-minute plus version of "Sabre Dance" (I've often wondered if the drum and bass backing rhythm track on "Sabre Dance" was a tape loop, or if the band played consistently at that fast pace?). It can be a bit monotonous at times, but to hear the tight and powerful ending to the song (which in case some of you didn't know, was the ending theme music for "The Lone Ranger" TV series in the 1950's), which will leave you breathless!

This is an excellent CD, and a great chance for you to experience the virtually unknown guitar wizardry of Dave Edmunds in a completely different context, before he became a roots-rocker and producer in the 1970's, covering 50's R&B, doo-wop, and even girl-group classics (check out his authentically-recreated versions of "The Doo Ron Ron" and "Baby I Love You" on his 1975 "Subtle As A Flying Mallet" album)! Buy this CD, you can't go wrong with it!

Love Sculpture, a power trio led by guitarist/vocalist Dave Edmunds, recorded only two lps and 4 singles in their short lifespan. "Forms and Feelings" is the second and final album released by Edmunds, bassist John Williams and drummer Bob Jones. As the follow up to the blues-rock lp, "Blues Helping" "Forms and Feelings" features a much more focused and creative band. Spotlighting an 11 minute searing version of the classical tune "Sabre Dance" adapted by Edmunds, the lp is full of blistering guitar work and unbelievably creative adaptations of other classical tunes such as "Mars" and "Farandole." Throughout the 9 tracks of the album proper, Edmunds never once loses focus. The album alone is well worth the fairly pricey suggested retail tag. But this edition on Cherry Red Record's Esoteric label comes fully loaded with six bonus tracks, comprising the a and b sides of the three singles associated with "Forms and Feelings." Included is a 4 minute edit of the above mentioned "Sabre Dance" which seems much shorter than its run time due to Edmunds' guitar prowess. The non-lp b-side "Think of Love" is also to be found here adding greatly to the value of this 1969 classic. Long out of print, guitar rock fans, especially those with tastes leaning toward psychedelia will be delighted with this release. Although the list price is rather expensive, careful shoppers can find copies of this wonderful cd at reasonable prices by seeking out Amazon drop shippers. Completists who already own "Blues Helping" will naturally want to add this cd to their collection. For those not familiar with Love Sculpture, this is most definitely the place to start. The band's debut album is a quite serviceable blues-rock recording, but by the band's own admission was recorded and released so that they could then enter the studio to record this masterpiece. Edmunds admits frankly that he was not a blues fan and did not enjoy playing the blues, but was required by his label to record the first album in order to generate funds to then record "Forms and Feelings." This cd, especially with the inclusion of all the single sides is essential to any psychedelic rock fans collection and must be obtained at any cost. But shop around, get the best price you can find, purchase this cd, put it into your player and be transported to the heady days of 1969 and treat yourself to 64 minutes of absolutely acid drenched guitar driven psychedelic rock. I guarantee you will be glad you did. Enjoy the journey.

this is the first cd i ever bought online. edmunds' guitar work is simply incredible. much less blues - oriented than their previous album. an especially underrated track may be ' nobody's talking. ' this tune features lyrics that are still pertinent today along with loud droning guitarwork. in the land of the few and sabre dance are somewhat different on this than in the single versions. sabre dance simply has to be heard to be believed! this fine record mixes classical rock( not overdone either) with some late psychedelia/ early metal(well, almost, not quite sure what to call it) and even a decent chuck berry cover. this may not be for fans of edmunds later work but nonetheless its quite startlingly good throughout. 'seagull' may be histrionic but still a good tune. the contributions of bassist john williams and drummers? (i think its both bob 'congo' jones and perhaps also terry williams), provide for solid support to edmunds' often incredible guitarwork on this cd. the lyrics from this band were generally covers or written in collaboration with the album's producers or managers.

Generally not as highly regarded as the blues-based rave ups on the previous "Blues Helping" album, the tunes on "Forms and Feelings" are actually quite good. Doing a 360-degree stylistic turnaround, the band now explored revved-up classical rave-ups (Sabre Dance, Farondole), late-sixties psychedelia (In The Land Of The Few, Why How-Now) with a couple of nice ballads (Seagull, People People) thrown into the mix. Blues purists probably scoffed at the somewhat outdated psychedelic overtones (the original LP cover looked like something from a Fillmore West light show), but overall, the songwriting and performances still hold up extremely well, even after 29 years. Maybe not the perfect way to experience the awesome guitar work of Dave Edmunds, but recommended nonetheless.

I'm biased with this CD. I loved the LP and really love this reissue. Amazon needs to list the tracks on this CD. This contains "Mars" as track 8 with Sabre Dance as track 9, so I believe this is the same as the original LP. In addition, there are 6 extra tracks, the A and B sides of 3 singles. Tracks 10-15 are:
10: Think of Love
11. Seagull
12. Farandole
13. In the land of the few
14. People people
15. Sabre dance

To my ears the remastering is great, although I'm sure to read different opinions from the audiophiles. I haven't heard this since my LP was lost, so as I said, I am biased and simply thrilled to hear it again.
Hope this helps.
My CD is made in EU. Esoteric Records, ECLEC 2016 (in case the listing is different)

A truly brilliant piece of music, very ahead of their time. I echo the feeling of Chuck Potocki, the 1st reviewer, could not have said it better. Very good insights Chuck regarding the details of this lp. I also bought Forms and Feelings in 1970, after hearing it on a local FM station here in Buffalo. I know the lp by heart, and am still amazed after 41 years at how efficiently Dave Edmunds performs classical pieces sech as Farandole and The Sabre Dance. My thanks to wikipedia who clued me in on the original composers.
Hats off to these fine players for a job well done, in 1968 no less.

Looks to be this short-lived British blues-rock band's second release - initially hitting the streets in 1969. Didn't know at first this was a Dave Edmonds pre-Rockpile ensemble. Every bit as out-standing as their first lp 'Blues Helping' [see my review]. I was just loving this CD reissue's tracks like the rocking "In The Land Of The Few", "Why (How-Now)", both edits of "Farandole", "You Can't Catch Me" and the must-hear blues-rocker "Think Of Love". Here, you get the album's original nine cuts + six added bonus tunes. The single "Seagull" makes this CD even more so of a must-have. Highly recommended.

In reading all the reviews posted so far regarding this album,I think something needs to be cleared up. The track "Sabre Dance" was not recorded at the speed that you hear on the album. It was played slightly slower on the initial recording,and was then sped up for the final mastering. At the time the thinking was that the track,as recorded,needed something "extra"in order to give it more immediacy and power. A close listen will tell your ears that the tempo is not quite right-regardless of the power of the finished track-which is a good listen.

Born in Norway, my English isn't good, but this record is so splendid, I just have to tell you. The heavy stuff is very very intensely great and unique. And if you like Beatles, you will l also love the few soft ones. Even the blues-song is allright, although I hate blues. Most people who've heard this record praise Sabre Dance as the best song, but I think it's too noisy and monotonous. But the rest; unreal!