GREENSLADE

Spyglass Guest (1974) is more or less on the same level as the earlier albums, maybe the sound has less heavy organ and more variety with keyboards, especially electric piano and clavinet are used, and the music often feels slightly jazzier. Earlier the band's jazziness was more similar to COLOSSEUM (where Dave Greenslade played), now it comes closer to the Fusion genre. Only two out of 8 tracks are instrumentals. I have never liked Dave Lawson's vocals but here vocals on many songs are delivered with less pressure and are quite OK. 'Red Light' with rubbish lyrics about being "hooked on a hooker" is the worst track. 'Theme from an Imaginary Western' is originally Jack Bruce's (Cream) and more direct than Greenslade usually.

Time and Tide has rock songs (with guitars unlike before) that are absolutely pain to listen to, mainly due to Lawson's awful vocals. The cover painting by Patrick Woodroffe imitates Roger Dean's art for the first and second albums. Of the songs with lyrics only reflective 'Doldrums' (by Lawson) is among the better parts of the extremely uneven album. Short instrumentals 'Time' (featuring male voice choir) and 'Tide' are pretty good and so are vivid 'Catalan' and exciting 'Gangsters'.

The albums are worth 3 and 2 stars respectively. I round it down because of material waste (of not putting them on the same CD).

"Animal Farm" (1.25 out of 5.00) Seems like Dave Lawson and the remaining members have changed their styles into a more raw sound that makes them a bit more interesting but unfortunately they`ve failed with this almost straightforward rock song that has nothing to do with prog, nothing really worthwile.

"Newsworth" (1.00 out of 5.00) Another rock song that has nothing to do with prog.

"Time and Tide" (2.50 out of 5.00) I don`t like the introduction, it`s a crap. But "Tide" is something more interesting, mysterious and majestic. Surprisingly "Catalan" Kicks Off.

"Catalan" (2.50 out of 5.00) This track provides one of the best moments on this album, not a big deal, both "Time and Tide" and "Catalan" Brings Prog essence in this rock-oriented album, Unfortunately one can get tired of both of them very sooner because of its simplicity.

"The Flattery Stakes" (0.25 out of 5.00) Now All have screwed up; I don`t like this catchier song because it tries to like me and luckily fails... Wait a minute... What have I Heard?!... Female Vocals?!... Yuck!!!

"Waltz for a Fallen Idol" (0.25 out of 5.00) Now I realize that this album is more pop-rock oriented than Prog. It don`t impress me, undistinguished...

"The ass's Ears" (1.75 out of 5.00) This song brings back a bit of hope (Just a bit); a heavy one, energetic and raw but unfortunately sooner came:

"Doldrums" (0.25 out of 5.00) This track is Weak and Boring. It has nothing new.

"Gangsters" (1.50 out of 5.00) I think I`ve heard double bass on this song, a regular ending track for a mediocre album.

1 Star (1.50 really)

"Spirit of the Dance" (2.25 out of 5.00) The album opens with this instrumental track. Nothing out of this world; A tolerable one, well played and moderately enjoyable.

"Little red Fry-up" (1.75 out of 5.00) This is the first sung track, I don`t like it at all. The performance of Dave lawson as a vocalist is weak and forgettable, although he tries to show off right here... He failed.

"Rainbow" (2.25 out of 5.00) Regular... It didn`t inspired me to write more

"Siam Seesaw" (2.50 out of 5.00) A musical passage. I think its the very first time I`ve heard some acoustic guitars on a Greenslade`s Album, the song is well played and moderately enjoyable.

"Joie de vivre" (2.50 out of 5.00) Some parts Sounds as it were inspired by clasical music. Not my taste but tolerable.

"Red Light" (1.25 out of 5.00) The first refiller. Nothing really outstanding, Luckily its short!

"Melancolic Race" (1.75 out of 5.00) Nothing memorable right here but luckily a bit better than the previous.

"Theme for an Imaginary Western" (2.00 out of 5.00) The album ends with this track. Very weak and slow but tolerable.

This album didn`t inspired me to write more, just a few words.

Its hard to me Greenslade`s works because of the weakness and lack of creativity. But this one I consider to be a moderately good record.

So I will give it.

2 Stars well received

This band was one of the names that colored my teenage life as their albums always sounded different than any other bands in the seventies. Yes, this was not one of the ones that I particularly talked with my friends whom most of them much more familiar with more popular names like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Bad Company or Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, ELP. Only few friends of mine - or in fact no one - was aware about this band. By that time I was only familiar with one album that I always spun the cassette: 'Time and Tide' album which I like the song called 'Newsworth' that became my longtime favorite at that time.

NOW, when I am looking at the reality that I have not reviewed this legendary (at least for me, personally!) album I was quite shocked knowing that most reviewers have different views about this album that made the overall mark of 3.21 by the time I am writing this. Not bad and it's OK, at least it's not something less than three stars. Next thing is how should I start reviewing this album? First off, my personal mission is really to twist those who aready put the less than 4 stars rating for this album and the following explains why you should mark this album as a four-star one.

First, when you listen to this album, do not expect to find which of the 8 tracks offered here are excellent tracks. Why? If you find good or excellent track, meaning that you have set your mind into what so called song-orientated mentality. No harm with that but ... you miss the opportunity to look at this album into a helicopter view where actually what these gentlemen offered was something that must be looked at its entirety like a concept album - how the music flows overall from start to end and how each passage of music is delivered to cater with transition from one mood / style to another or from one track to another. Push yourself into this condition and look at the whole 8 tracks form as one single track like you enjoy Jethro Tull's Thick As A Brick or A Passion Play. Having done so, I am sure it would change your mind from nitty-gritty things looking at the album so narrowly. Well, I am not sure - and I really don't care - whether or not this is a concept album - as it's totally irrelevant. You can make your concept album by setting your mind into looking at this album in its entirety. For me personally, this is so captivating especially looking at the ways instruments are played here combining the unique keyboard sounds, unique vocal line and jaw dropping drumwork. (This is gonna be another descriptive explanation I am gonna make it for you in the following paragraph...).

Second, please pay particular attention on every single piece of instrument as you enjoy the music flows from one track to another - or in fact from one segment to another in particular track. Have you observed something unique? You bet! You've just found that the keyboard sounds are terrific and they are all unique that you could hardly fine had been played by other musicians! It does not matter who actually played the keyboard - it's Dave Greenslade or Dave Lawson as both of them sound wonderful throughout the album. What else? Vocal! Yes.... smart guess!!! Look at how the vocal quality is really unique especially when it's combined beautifully with keyboard work like you can find at track 5 Joie de Vivre. Oh man .. I really love this kind of sound! It's terrific! What else did you find? The drumming man ....!!! Look at how inventive and dynamic the drumwork performed by Andrew McCulloch! Well, I am sure that if Andrew still continued his existence in music business he would be one of the best progrock drummers in the same or similar style like Bill Bruford. He played also with King Crimson (Lizard), Manfred Mann's Earth Band and other bands. He was a very talented drummer prog music had ever had. Unfortunately he stopped his existence to music business and became a Yacht Master. You can also find very nice violin work throughout this album.

I do not find anything bad from this album and that's why I think this one is worth an excellent rating or 4 stars. In terms of songs, there is last track that was quite well popular in my country at that time and the time when we had classic rock radio M97 sometime in 2000, i.e the last track:Theme for an Imaginary Western (3:51). Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

"Feathered Friends" (2.00 out of 5.00) After the good intro, all turns into a dramatic way, wich became unbearable and monotonous.

"An English Western" (2.00 out of 5.00) Is the first instrumental song, this song means nothing to me but the performance is good.

"Drowning Man" (1.00 out of 5.00) Even worse than the previous tracks, certainly this kind of song are made to show us the strength of David Greenslade as keyboardist, also, vocals are horrid and forgettable.

"Temple Song" (1.00 out of 5.00) Sounds childish, like a lullabye. Vocals are dull and pathetic just like the whole song.

"Melange" (1.00 out of 5.00) At this point I realize that their compositions and performance are mediocre. I surrender, but there are two remaining songs. About this song: "A refiller".

"What are You Doin' to Me?" (1.50 out of 5.00) Here`s the heavy one, with an umpredictable break wich leads to an orchestral moment, played mainly with mellotron, almost decent. but not my taste.

"Sundance" (1.50 out of 5.00) Another song where David Greenslade show us his Strenghts, this one is better than "Drowning Man" but not as I expected.

Very Weak... Very Poor

1 Star

The Lack of Guitars Is probably one of the responsibles:

"Bedside Manners are Extra" (3.00 out of 5.00) Starts enigmatically but weak, it has a lot of piano and mellotron good moments but not as delightful as I expected. Also, vocals are a bit horrid.

"Pilgrims Progress" (3.00 out 5.00) This song brings back Hope after the regular performance of "Bedside Manners ...". Starts with Organ played together with flute in a melancholic form, then it became fast (not so). But certainly, when it ends I`m a bit dissapointed but I admit it, it has good moments.

"Time to Dream" (2.50 out of 5.00) Definitely a regular song, I don`t know if I like it or if not, its notorious the lack of emotion while singing and playing.

"Drum Folk" (1.00 out of 5.00) Good Drummer (just good) but this kind of song, usually, I use to skip. It`s just a drum solo with organs and keyboards added, just to make it more tolerable than the drum solo alone.

"Sunkissed You' re Not" (2.25 out of 5.00) There are times when this song are moderately enjoyable and when it bores you to the bone.

"Chalkhill" (4.00 out of 5.00) From my point of view this is the best song of the whole album. I put the volume up: it starts friendly and tender and it has very good atmosphere. Then it became faster and rockier when its more enjoyable and you just move your legs and head to the beat of the song. If this song had electric guitars (replacing some keyboards) and a more Heavy sound probably it may deserve a high rating.

2.75 stars really, it don`t deserves 3 stars, I think

Whist the selection is very good, some personal favourites have missed out, namely, "An English Western" from the first album, "Time To Dream" from "Bedside Manners Are Extra", "Melancholic Race" from "Spyglass Guest" and probably the best track(s) from "Time & Tide" "Waltz For A Fallen Idol/Ass's Ears"

All in all a pretty good selection though, as the bands output was consistently very good (especially the first three albums) A good start for those that are unfamiliar with the band but I suggest you grab their first album and work through them in order from there.