THE GRASS IS GREENER

This hybrid album is a North American release only and a sort of bastardised products with a mix of tracks released elsewhere but in a different version and a different line-up. It even takes the artwork from the Valentyne Suite album, and an almost similar inner gatefold also. Yet in my eyes, this album is much deserving many attention from fans (and even almost the right to be an full-blown studio album in their discography) as there are two completely new tracks , two more that were to be featured on the double Live album, and from the four remaining tracks, three are a different version than the ones you can get on the two UK releases. As this album states, Clem Clempson is now the guitarist and Butty Litherland only appears on one track, the superb Elegy. But clearly Clempson is not a good lead vocalist, although he is fine back-up vocalist), and it is no wonder the Colosseum will be hiring Chris Farlowe for the next full release.

Jumping Off The Sun is a very interesting tracks loaded with vibes and bells and great time sig, but Clempson's voice can do no match to what Litherland or Farlowe would've done for this track. Lost Angeles is yet another very interesting but not well exploited idea, and if you compare to the extended live version of Colosseum Live, it will pale in comparison, but it is still superb on this vinyl, as you can hear the greatness of the Greenslade/DHS composition. Elegy might just be the only tracl present on this album that might come in the same previously available one, although slightly shorter. Butty's Blues is another track from Valentyne Suite, but stick with the previous version, as Clempson's vocals are no match for Litherland's and there is a full blown big band on the other .

The Jack Bruce-track Rope Ladder To The Moon is the first of a few tracks that will have Pete Brown lyrics and if the instrumentation is great (especially Greenslade's percussions) the greatly expanded-live version with Chris Farlowe is more impressive. Bolero is is unavailable-elsewhere track and might just be the first example of Ravel's piece with rock instrumentation, a few months before Crimson's and two full years before ELP's. It is probably the best version of all three because it is the one straying farthest from the monotony of Ravel's piece. Machine is a shorter version of the track on Valentyne Suite. The last track is the third movement of the Valentyne Suite that hat had been released in North America as The Ides Of March on the first UK release. Did you say confusing? ;-(

Although this album is a bit lost in the jungle, it was never released as a CD on either side of the Atlantic, but recently new expanded re-issue of Valentyne Suite with the tracks from both album was issued. I can only warmly recommend it if you do not own the album yet, and if you do already and you are a major fan of Colosseum, you might just have to dip in your pocket again.

It's easy to say this is the U.S. version of the European released "Valentyne Suite", but it's much more complicated than that. We have some different musicians on this one, and half the songs on here weren't on the original. And the four original tracks have been changed somewhat as well. They kept the same album cover but changed the hue. As Sean Trane says in his review "Did you say confusing ?" I really didn't think this would be nearly as good as the original since the 17 minute title track "Valentyne Suite" was missing from this one (although "The Grass Is Greener" section is included), but I was wrong. The four new tracks are simply outstanding ! And while I wouldn't say they're as good as the "Valentyne Suite", they're good enough (along with the other tracks) to give this 4 stars. I'll review the four new songs that I didn't already review on the "Valentyne Suite" album.

"Jumping Off the Sun" opens with what sounds like Christmas bells before the drums and guitar come flying in. Vocals follow and the bells are back. Great uptempo track. The drummer is very busy.The guitarist lets loose before 2 minutes with organ runs in the background. Back to the crazy drumming and vocals. "Lost Angeles" opens with vibes and bass as drums beat lightly. Sax and vocals follow. The vocals on this one aren't as good as on the first track. Organ helps out. Blistering guitar after 2 minutes. Nice. They seem to just jam until vocals are back 4 1/2 minutes. Organ, sax and drums end it.

"Rope Ladder To the Moon" is a cover of a Jack Bruce tune, and it's a good one ! Lots of vibes in this one and bass. Vocals are well done. Plenty of sax as well. Mellotron towards the end. I believe this is the only song they ever used mellotron on. "Bolero" has this circus-like melody with marching style drums for almost 2 minutes. Not a fan. Thankfully the rest of the song more then makes up for the beginning. This raw guitar comes barging in with some great bass lines in tow. The drums start to turn from "marching" to "rock" as he beats the hell out of them. They light it up until 4 1/2 minutes in when the drums return to that marching style, and the guitar stops.

What a talented man Dave Greenslade is. Please check this band out.

Third Colosseum studio album is a strange fruit. It was released in USA only, and formally is "Valentyne Suite" , band's second studio album's, version for US market. Even cover picture is almost the same (only darker and in a different hue).

But under the cover, situation is more difficult. Half of the album (4 songs) are all new ,and don't appear on any other band's studio album ( Jumping Off the Sun, Lost Angeles, Rope Ladder to the Moon and Bolero). So this album has a full right to be counted as their third studio one. And big part music is very different from "Valentyne Suite" there due to the replacement of James Litherland for Dave 'Clem' Clempson.

In fact, there are three songs from "Valentyne Suite" side A presented, and part 3 from "Valentyne Suite", long composition, filling all side B on original "Valentine Suite " release is used as well ( under slightly different name as well - original name is "The Grass Is Always Greener ... "). But from all 4 songs, only one could be possible absolutely the same as on "Valentyne Suite" album. It is "Elegy", great song with previous vocalist Butty Litherland vocals. Three other are re-recorded with Clempson vocals.

Music on this album is generally same great early heavy jazz-rock, with massive keyboards and excellent sax of Dick Heckstall-Smith. Having its roots in r'n'b from late 60-s, Colosseum is one of great early jazz-rock band of all times. Compositions are complex, but very melodic, still with great rock tradition of songwriting ( and not main accent on musicianship technique). You will easily feel some blues rock and light psychedelic smell there.

Interesting and very competent work, I think it is not a best entrance to Colosseum. Clempson is possibly their worst vocalist, and because of strange songs combination this album is not so representative. But absolutely must have for band's fans.