Witness [Import, Original recording remastered]

Spooky Tooth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 17, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Repertoire
• ASIN: B00079RNI6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,569 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ocean of Power

2. Wings on My Heart

3. As Long as the World Keeps Turning

4. Don't Ever Stray Away

5. Things Change

6. All Sewn Up

7. Dream Me a Mountain

8. Sunlight of My Mind

9. Pyramids

Editorial Reviews

Digipak reissue of the British hard rock group's 1973 album. Repertoire. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bear Witness to an Awesome Re-Issue of Witness!!, September 8, 2005

By 

Uncle Dave (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witness (Audio CD)

For over two decades now, since CD's came onto the scene, like many, I have been gradually replacing my vinyl collection with CD's. All this time, I have been waiting for Island Records to issue Spooky Tooth's 1973 album "Witness" on CD. It never happened!

A number of other Spooky Tooth albums have been available on CD practically from the get-go, yet "Witness", which is, arguably, the best album ever recorded by the band, had oddly been ignored. Spooky Tooth fans have been screaming for the release of this classic on CD, but Island Records, who initally issued the album, turned a deaf ear to them. A few years back, a German company, Repertoire, finally issued "Witness" on CD, however, in their haste to get it out, they issued a badly-mastered, inferior version.

Well, I'm happy to say that on 08/16/2005, Repertoire FINALLY re-issued "Witness", this time expertly re-mastered!! I bit the bullet and, with my fingers crossed, shelled out another 30 bucks for this brand-new reissue. Am I ever glad I did, as THIS one sounds AWESOME! My compliments to Repertoire for finally getting it right! (Eat your heart out, ISLAND!!) The CD also includes a booklet insert containing an historical retrospective of the band and it's various members, complete liner notes, pictures, and comments from Lead vocalist Mike Harrison.

For those of you who have never beared witness to "Witness," even on vinyl, I will give you a little background on this spectacular album. The second Spooky Tooth album to feature Mick Jones (of 'Foreigner' fame) on guitar, his presence is very obvious, as this album has a bit of a 'Foreigner-type' feel to it. Though Foreigner's debut album was still 4 years away when "Witness" was originally released, there is a definite foreshadowing here. There are 9 songs on "Witness", none of which would be considered 'filler', as each one develops its own distinct personality with repeated listens. Unlike other Spooky Tooth albums, most of which have a kind of 'raw' sound to them, "Witness" is well-crafted and much more 'polished'. Those who prefer the older 'raw' Spooky Tooth sound usually cite this as their primary reason for disliking "Witness". I, on the other hand, have always equated the evolving of a more polished sound, with the maturing of a band, musically. Ironically, this great album largely went un-noticed when released in 1973, due to a lack of radio promotion and airplay. Just a few listens to the power-ballad "Wings on My Heart", and you will understand the magnitude of the injustice that lack of airplay caused....not only to the band, but to the music loving public who never got to hear this amazing song. "Wings on My Heart" was one of those songs that could have, should have (and probably would have) been one of the MAJOR hits of the 1970's, had more people gotten a chance to hear it. Rather than try to review each song here, I'll let your ears make their own decision! Let it suffice to say that even though the cost of this import CD is twice what you normally pay for a domestic CD, it is worth every penny!

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Caveat emptor! The spooky truth..., October 15, 2002

By 

D. Hartley (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witness (Audio CD)

If you're bothering to read this review then it's likely you already know that "Witness" is in fact a "five star" album, arguably the best work 70's prog-rockers Spooky Tooth ever did. You are also likely to have been obsessively searching for a CD reissue of this Holy Grail. Well, don't get too excited, yet. Because this album STILL hasn't been correctly "reissued". I'm sad to report that, despite my "inner voice" red-flagging me about the obviously homemade cover art, I had to part with my hard-earned cash and wait til I got home to confirm that, "Yup, it's a bootleg!" I'll admit that I couldn't detect any clicks, pops or skips, but there is an unmistakable harmonic distortion on high vocals and cymbal crashes that can only point to a vinyl source master. I think "Progressive Line" is really a guy named Rolf with a Cool Edit and a CD burner in his basement. Save your money, hang on to your vinyl copy for now and wait for the legit reissue.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, it's out, April 24, 2002

By 

eldon (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witness (Audio CD)

I've been waiting for this to be released on CD for sooooo long... this is their 2nd album afer the 1st reunion (in the early 70s) & definitely one of their best. I'd rate it as a 5 star release just like their legendary Spooky Two album (although most people would argue that Your Broke My Jaw is the best from the reunion). I guess it might have a lot to do with the fact that it's my 1st Tooth album. I picked it up in a liquidation sale in Hong Kong (where most of their albums were not available). Anyway, I got hooked & bought all the other ones after I moved to Canada. I liked every single one of them... Why they never hit it big still puzzles me!!! So, if you're Tooth fan, your wait is over... If you're new to the band or just curious, Spooky Two or the Best Of is probably a better start... However, don't miss out on their last Reunion CD either - Cross Purpose (unlike most reunions CDs, this one is exceptionally GOOD!)...