Customer Reviews

Superlungs

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4 star:		(3)
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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.

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.

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.

Really this is a pretty good album. It has all the markings of white boy blues. He's got a set of superlungs and knows how to use them. He's also a pretty good guitar player. The most interesting aspect to this CD is that you'll recognize a number of the songs. I own other Terry Reid CDs and really like them but their more acoustic and less blues. This is a charged up CD with some killer songs. So killer that other bands recorded them and made them famous. Poor Mr. Reid has been ignored for to long. Go ahead and give the man some recogniztion: buy the album.

i just recently discovered terry reid from an article with led zeppelins guitarist jimmy page who said he offered the vocal duties to terry reid before robert plant. his voice is equal to plants, he screams, he growls, he soars, and the music is an ecletic blend of the late 1960's. blues ,pop, pscydelic, all a wonderful treat. this man should have been a big star, but for whatever reason stayed on the fringes of pop stardom.

The male equivalent of Janis Joplin and a trump card over Rod Stewart but less well known, Terry Reid could belt the blues out with a gospel hysteria that elevated early rock music to new heights rarely matched since!

Indicative of the late sixties style, his grainy, soul driven voice and scratchy guitar work, backed by an R&B organ, thunderous drumming and bass all came together with striking spontaneity.

Superlungs, Rich Kid Blues, Stay With Me Baby are all power house classic rock that has nothing to do with cliché ridden mainstream rock; as hot today as the moment of its inception.

I became enchanted with Reid after seeing him on tour with the Stones and Cream so long ago and bought his first two US releases ASAP. I was pleased to see that this cd contains the best of those two LPs. Caution: Many of the songs still suffer from the same bad engineering and production that haunted the original albums. However, the unbridled enthusiasm and unrestrained emotion that pours from Terry's vocal performances remains intact. The 2 acoustic ballads, "July" and "May Fly," are still incredible to hear. You simply have to experience them to know what I mean. The power ballads like "Stay with me Baby," "Something's gotten hold of my heart," and "Rich Kid's Blues" are still thrilling with their punch and dynamics. The great rockers are "Speak Now," "Without Expression," "Highway 61 Revisited" (Where Terry takes huge liberties with Dylan's lyrics), "Tinker Tailor" and the surprising "Bang, Bang." The previously unreleased cuts are okay, with "Penny" being the most interesting although I recall it worked much more effectively in concert. All in all I prefer Reid's early over-the-top, frantic, out-of-control vocal style to his later, more mellow approach that he turned to on "River" and "Seeds of Memory" although I realize that these songs may put some folk off with its demo-quality sound. But all would be compelled to admit that Terry was definitely a unique, one-of-a-kind artist that deserves his cubbyhole in rock and roll history.

... and a great introduction. I got everything by Terry Reid after stumbling upon this album. Even picked up a region 2 DVD on Amazon.uk
"Glastonbury Fayre 1971" which has got some concert footage from just 2 years after this 1969 album came out (may need a region free player in the States to watch that). Long live Terry Reid.

Terry Reid was an amazing blue eye soul singer from England, fast rising on the scene from his early high school band then the Jaywlkers in 1966 to a power trio band of his own, he released 2 albums in 68-69. This album collects tracks from those 2 albums and attempts to repackage the great material for the average fan. Although there is apparently a full length 'complete' sessions released for all this stuff.

Of course any who knows Reid know that because of contractual obligations he was forced to down turn the vocal positions for Led Zeppelin although he was instrumental in forming the group by recommending Robert Plant, and then also snubbing Deep Purple before they found Ian Gillan. Despite it all, Reid is still one of the best rock singers that ever was. The title track was a cover of Donovan's song. And alot of Reid's music and even at times his singing draws endless comparison to Donovan although he has the pipes that goes right in there with Robert Plant and Rod Stewart who were considered the new British singing prodigys in the late 60's. The music is great, a mix of slight Cream style power trio rock but not quite as heavy and of course sprinklings of acoustic folk numbers although when Reid plays songs that delve into these genres they never quite sound just like them. It's never quite just folk or rock. His singing really isnt a myth, he's incredible and his other records of the time like River and Seed Of Memory, though less rock, are still undisputed lost classics. If there are any Cheap Trick fans who happen to be interested in Reid, they will note his song Speak Now was covered by CT on their debut album and of course featured as a highlight on their Budokan album. Silver White Light being a great power trio track, along with the amazing ballad Stay With Me, possibly the best song on the record, Somethings Gotten Hold Of My Heart, Loving Time, and Without Expression all offering potent plates of folk mixed with rock albeit with this strange mystical feel Reid and band always brings. The songs might have a sedate nature but somehow they always seem to ignite them.

There are moments of rocking to be sure, Marking Time (featuring a limited but engaging drum solo) and more notably and his cover of Bang Bang. His band, whos names escape me for this review aren't legendary musicians yet what they do fullfills just enough for this. It's a great case of just enough is right. Sometimes when Reid takes high notes its impossible not to hear early Zeppelin and see Plant in all his glory. Reid really is the unsung hero of British vocals. Not just this but all his records are essentials. So forget all the what if's and just enjoy his great music.

A nice selection of tracks from Terry's first two records.
A great place to start if you don't have any of his early stuff, or if you've heard the name but have never listened to his music. If you like bluesy, soulful, British rock,(Steve Marriott comes to mind)
you won't be disappointed. "River" and "Seeds of Memory" should also be on you're shopping list.