Customer Reviews

Witness

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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!)...

The second album from the band after reforming minus two original members. Mick Jones replaced Luther Grosvenor who was leading Widowmaker, later to show up as Ariel Bender in Mott the Hoople. Mick Jones would take his experience from Spooky Tooth and form Foreignor. Chris Stewart came in on bass and fills in admirably for Greg Ridley who was thumping for Humble Pie. Gary Wright deserves special credit for this set as he wrote or co-wrote every track. All the songs are bluesy, soulful or progressive rock driven and not even close to the commercial "dream weaver" arrangements he would later pursue. Mike Harrison again belts out his classic vocals. Anyone who heard this guy sings always comments on his impressive style.
Mike Kellie is around again providing the steady drum beats. He is the "overlooked" constant for this band. Why is this a DJ's dream? Well anybody who sits behind the mike in a classic rock format station can pick this album up, play any song and I am sure he will get favorable responses from his listeners. All the songs are that good and classic.
One more thing about Gary Wright; he is either associated with Spooky Tooth or his Dream Weaver phase (love it or hate it) but let's not forget he also was involved with almost every George Harrison solo project. I think that is saying something.

This is one great album--every song is well written and the band is great with Mick Jones. I agree with the other reviewer--it would have been more popular if it was advertised more. Every song has a catch phrase and is never tiresome. Get this while you can--Spooky Tooth fans adhere my suggestion please!

Before Gary Wright and Mick Jones went their separate ways they collaborated on two of the best and most under-appreciated rock albums of the early seventies.

This album and "You broke my heart..." are very similar guitar driven albums. Gary Wright's keyboards are supportive and mostly traditional piano and organ, none of that goofy spacey synthesizer sound he took up with his later solo work. The tight rhythm section of Chris Stewart and Bryson Graham drive these mid-tempo tunes home.

This record is not prog rock as some have classified it, this is blues based rock and roll, of familiar seventies sound. "Wings on my Heart" and "Pyramids" are a preview of Gary Wright's solo work, but I like these songs so much better. Jones' guitar plays well off Wright's keyboards. "Don't ever stray away" and "Sunlight of my mind" are very Foreigner sounding even though they were written by Wright, not Jones.

The vocal overload distortion on "Pyramids" was present on my original vinyl and has been preserved on the CD! I thought it was just a poor pressing, but now I'm guessing it is an artifact of the original recording process. Don't get me wrong, it was a great take and I would have kept it too, the distortion doesn't take away from the emotion that Mike Harrison's great lead vocal projects.

This is one of my favorites from the seventies, not a bad tune on the entire record. I've listened to Witness for 30 years and have not grown tired of it.

I enjoy this album every time I listen to it. This was a very tight band. A great example of 1960's music at it's best!!!

Forget the review-I am Jeff Cromwell-jclovecraft@earthlink.net and I would like to know is why is this and the other one "you broke my heart so I BUSTED YOUR JAW" cost $30? I know they are imports but imports normally sell for $20 your prices are just plain PIGGISH! oink

This album is fresher than "The last puff" but keeps the feeling of the group.
Altough some people -because of "Ceremony"- think that Spooky Tooth are a progressive rock band, they are really very good exponents with high quality of "Heavy Rock".
"Ocean of power" and "Dream me a mountain" are samples of the quality of this band.
Hope that you can get yourself a copy and enjoy it.
Maybe the sound quality is not the best, but is very listenable and is more on the good side than in the bad.There are some "shh's", but I can't ubicate their origin.
Remember that all this guys, never mean to make history.

All I can say is , if you don't have this in your collection you really are not into music. Also to be said of YBMHSIBYJ. And The Mirror also. My opinion and it counts!