Split [Import, Original recording remastered]

Groundhogs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B00009L1OD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

Few young Britons made the transition from 1960s straight blues to 1970s head-smashing blues rock as successfully as Tony McPhee, leader/vocalist/guitarist of the Groundhogs. Several years before this monster album stormed the 1971 English charts McPhee had been instructed in blues expression by a visiting baron he befriended and backed on stage, namely John Lee Hooker. The mandarin is given direct tribute here by McPhee's superb country blues rendering of "Groundhog." -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Product Description

Digitally remastered 2003 reissue of 1971 album that's unavailable domestically featuring 12 tracks including 4 bonus tracks taken from BBC in concert 1972, 'Split - Part One', 'Split - Part Two', 'Split - Part Four' & Cherry Red'. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Live BBC tracks worth the price of admission, October 5, 2003

By 

Daddy-o "paintfink" (Beatsville, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Split (Audio CD)

This album is classic- if you love classic, heavy, thought provoking, rock and roll you need this. The live tracks are the heaviest and loudest I have heard and I am a huge Black Sabbath fan. Get this now before it is no longer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic album that spans Heavy rock to Rhythm and Blues, September 18, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Wirral, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Split (Audio CD)

The album Split is a veritable masterpiece in the field of progressive rock. From the writing to production, each and every track deserves the well placed position on this album. Split has for many rock artists, been one of rocks benchmarks. Still today the album holds up as well as it did nigh on thirty years later. The apex of McPhee's recording career. There have been many memorable albums since this. But non quite equalling the overall presence of this volume. A definite must for all serious rock collectors. In the short interval from his first record release in 1964, the talents of McPhee have been honed down to perfection. Particularly, the production is masterful, with skilful use of multi-tracking and restrained use of some of the then new gadgetry, to achieve innovative sounds. Tony has been recording now for over 30 years with a new Album out in early 1999 The Muddy Waters Song Book, also not to be missed

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They Should Have Been Huge In America, August 21, 2000

By 

JOHN SPOKUS (BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Split (Audio CD)

Wow !! The Groundhogs were quite a band; blues based, more than slightly psychedelic hard rock is the characteristic of their classic 1969-'72 period. Along with Rory Gallagher (another favorite) they were inexplicably ignored by mainstream American radio. Both artists should have been as huge here as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Just think, this was recorded on only an eight track with probably a meager budget, yet Tony McPhee gets a timeless sound to match his awesome compositional talent. The four part title cut that makes up Side One of the original vinyl is a great extended piece that rivals early Rush and Budgie.