THE BEST OF COZY POWELL

How nice, a 'The Best Of' album that is really a 'The Best Of' album, from Cozy Powell his 3 solo albums. Because this compilation contains 6 tracks from his excellent debut album Over The Top (1979), 6 tracks from his good final effort Octopuss (1983) and only 4 tracks from the mediocre, pretty disappointing second one entitled Tilt (1981). The list of musicans that has played on those three Cozy Powell solo albums is jawdropping, but how sad that more than a few passed away during the years, including Cozy Powell himself.

Many years ago I was on a holiday in Scotland and walking on the Royal Mile road towards the Edingburgh Castle. I noticed a record shop and bought this CD so this purchase has a very special memory. But listening to that compilation also turned out to be the re-discovery of his great music: I bought the LP in 1979 (due to the presence of Gary Moore and Don Airey from my beloved Colosseum II) but was so disappointed about the next LP Tilt that I stopped following Cozy Powell solo. Full circle with this CD!

If you are up to a fusion of several styles with jazzrock overtones, you will enjoy this comprehensive compilation from the first until the final composition, what a classy musicians and what a dynamic, varied and exciting music! Cozy showcases his powerful, often furious and thunderous drumming, in awesome interplay with (most times) Jack Bruce, especially in the opener Theme One (also sensational work on the mighty Yamaha CS80 synthesizer). Listening to the music Colosseum II often comes to my mind, due to the distinctive interplay between Gary Moore his powerful guitar and Don Airey his flashy synthesizer play (like in Killer and The Blister). Guitar legend Jeff Beck delivers great contributions with his very distinctive guitar sound in the swinging Cat Moves (funky with sensational keyboardplay) and Hot Rock (distorted and biting).

Other interesting tracks are The Loner (David Sancious with an outstanding synthesizer solo) and the wonderful guitar soli in Up On The Downs (Mel Galley) and Dartmoore (Gary goes blues, goose bumps!). My highlight is the epic Over The Top, so much happens: from the flashy Minimoog synthesizer solo and the Eddie Jobson-like Grand piano runs to the glorious final part featuring sumptuous classical orchestrations on the Minimoog and Yamaha CS80. What an awesome blend of classical music and symphonic rock, it could have been soundtrack music for the A Clockwork Orange movie. In 633 Squadron and The Big Country the drums of Cozy are in combination with a philharmonic orchestra, it sounds beautiful. The final track of this compilation is an up-tempo beat with furious drumming, soaring Hammond (by Jon Lord) and fiery guitarplay, a strong goodbey to a very strong The Best Of Cozy Powell album, highly recomended!

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