BODKIN

An obscure scottish one shot band from the early 70´s that I had never heard of until I read a review here on PA. I was attracted to it because it said their sound was based around the great Hammond organ. And it is! The organ is the sole keyboard used on the whole LP, besides being the main instrument of the band. Its rich sound is undeniable, and I just love it.

Well, and what about the group itself? They were good musicians, no doubt. But hardly outstanding or very creative. It is easy to understand why they never made it: they just played what a lot of bands were playing in the late 60´s and early 70´s. Nothing wrong to that: the guitar is good, the singer is ok, the rhythm section is strong and the keyboards player is also good. They simply don´t add up anything to their sound that could differ them from dozens of other outfits of that period (in fact theirs was becoming a bit dated alreadty). Groups like Atomic Rooster, Traffic, Badger and Paladin, among others, were doing hte same thing with more personality a little while before them.

If Bodkin could have another chance to develop their songwriting skills maybe they could come out with something more of their own and that could be more than just pleasing. As it is I found Bodkin an ok group. There are no bad tracks, but also there are no highlights either. Pretty common stuff. If you like bands centred around the Hammond Organ, that might be of interest. But actually this is more for collectors and fans of the style only .

2,3 stars.