Superlungs

Terry Reid | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000AA4LDW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,779 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #94 in Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > Britpop

Editorial Reviews

This CD can be considered somewhat rare now.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE GREATEST (NEARLY) UNHEARD VOICE IN ROCK HISTORY, June 27, 2008

By 

The Electroacoustic Metallurgist "Bill" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Superlungs (Audio CD)

I've been listening to this CD with regularity since shortly after it was released in 2005, and after every listen I am left awestruck by Terry's spectacular voice, but I am also always left with profound mixed emotions. Glee and gratitude for the music that we have from Terry, but also an overwhelming longing to know what might have been had prior contractual obligations not prevented Terry from accepting the lead singer job Jimmy Page first offered him for his yet-to-be-named new band. It's a question that will of course never be answered, and is in my book the biggest "what if" in Rock history. So, I guess I will just have to take solace in the fact that Terry (Led Zeppelin's unwitting architect) instead recommended to Jimmy the also capable Robert Plant, who in turn recommended the incredible John Bonham for their accepted positions. However, given Terry's jaw-dropping voice it's still a little unsettling to know that while Plant will garner a full chapter in the book of Rock history, Terry will at best be a brief footnote. And while devaluing Plant's plainly remarkable abilities is not my intention it should still be noted that Terry's voice is far more powerful and captivating, and a Led Zeppelin with him as the frontman would have been simply (or even more) spectacular. But that's not just my opinion, as in an interview Plant even acknowledged that Terry is a better singer.

I'm sure that in retrospect Terry must consider the unfortunate circumstances of his story to be the example supreme of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also, looking back I'm sure that Terry must be second-guessing his decision to decline the offer that Ian Gillian subsequently accepted to assume the duties as singer of Deep Purple. However, it's not just an ill-fated story for Terry, it's also a wrenching story for those of us who are his fans and are captivated by his talent and amazing voice. But enough talking about what might have been.

'Superlungs' is a very good collection of songs from 1968-1969. Terry's guitar playing is fantastic, his voice is superb, and while listening if you're not moved now and then by the sheer power of and emotion in his voice there is clearly something wrong with you. Terry's voice is at times stunning, and he is quite simply a rock superstar that never was. However, Terry Reid is still a seminal artist from a seminal period in Rock history, and as such his music has inspired artists such as CSN&Y, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, John Mellencamp, (and just this year) The Raconteurs, and others who have covered his songs. Although, in my opinion, none of the covers are even close to being as good as Terry's originals from 40 years ago. For me Terry's music is an essential part of my Classic Rock collection. But do not let the word "Classic" dissuade you, as in 2008 this music is still wonderful, and I'm certainly not one who waxes nostalgic about Rock's yesteryear. In fact, I don't even listen to that much Classic Rock. However, this is a CD that I highly recommend, and I am certain that you too will regard it highly.

Now, I don't know whether you got to this review via divine intervention, sheer accident or an involuntary clicking frenzy during a seizure, but you are here now, so DO NOT pass on the opportunity to buy music from this artist. Buy this CD now, you'll thank me later. Click the helpful button below only if you have or buy this CD and find that you are truly captivated by it, as I am genuinely curious to see if others appreciate it as much as I do. Thanks.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man Who Was Offered the Lead Vocal Chores in Led Zeppelin Before Robert Plant Got the Job, December 28, 2005

By 

Talking Wall "Never trust a man with manicure... (Queen Creek, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Superlungs (Audio CD)

Somehow Amazon deleted my previous review showering accolades on Terry Reid's Superlungs. I don't have time to type it all in again. Great CD! Amazing, blue-eyed soul vocalist. Terry's music spans a wide range of styles, it's hard to pin down... Think Robert Plant meets Traffic. Superlungs is well worth your hard earned pennies. Hear the man who,because he was under contract to the ego-mad Mickie Most, had to turn down the lead vocal chores for Led Zeppelin and later and offer to join Deep Purple Mk II! Buy it! Find out why Aretha Franklin once said "There's only three things happening in Britain, The Beatles, The Stones, and Terry Reid". In fact, when Reid had to turn down Jimmy Page's offer he referred him to Robert Plant and John Bonham who had backed him up when they were members of The Band of Joy.

Sadly Reid's manager was an idiot who stifled his career. Terry is still active today and show up at The Joint in Beverly Hills on Monday nights. Sometimes some of his friends show up to play with him, unknowns like Keith Richard, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Voice that Got Away, January 15, 2007

By 

Music maven (Amherst, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Superlungs (Audio CD)

I haven't bought this CD because I already have the original LPs. The Superlungs LP is an incredible thing. There really isn't anything else quite like it. Terry's voice is amazing. On "Rich Kid Blues", "Mayfly", and especially "Stay With Me Baby," he puts out so much feeling that you wonder how he can even finish the song. I must have listened to these songs hundreds of times, and they still raise goosebumps.

People have complained about Mickey Most's production and recording, and I can certainly understand that--it's far from clean and pretty, but I actually think it adds to the music. Everybody plays with enormous passion, and the raw edge to the sound when it's burning matches perfectly Reid's gut-wrenching turn. It reminds me of Jeff Beck's Beckola, which Most also produced. There, too, the rawness of the sound on a cut like "Rice Pudding" fits the material. Now there's a combination that should have been--Jeff Beck and Terry Reid in 1971.

As other people have observed, Reid was offered the lead singer position in Led Zepplin, and listening to this recording, one can only think what a shame he had to turn it down. He is a vastly more powerful singer thhan Robert Plant, with a far greater emotional range (greater than anyone I've ever heard). But at least we have this amazing recording to offset what might have been. Highly recommended.