OPEN (WITH JULIE DRISCOLL)

Brian Auger is one of the best interpreters Hammond organ, and a great jazz musician. Despite all the 60 has got to be appreciated and judged fabulously, until 1969 was able to release the album that launched him as a star. This "Open" is the debut album of Trinity, a sort of backing band of same Auger and Julie Driscoll, secretary of Giorgio Gomelsky in 60's and ex Steampacket (with the same Auger). Recorded in 1967 in five hours at London's Chappel studio "open" is not a Prog album in the strict sense but, at the same time, Open is not a Proto Prog album. Due to the greater maturity than other contemporary Prog albums "Open" already plays Prog, remaining, however, a simple example of jazz rock, although very eclectic. Sure there are times now almost ridiculous songs ("Lament For Miss Baker, for me) but it is hard to miss that "Open" is a good example of Jazzy Prog POP.

The opening track is "In and Out" (Montgomery), a fantastic composition of POP Jazz with a delicious big band arrangements, melodic guitar and hammond in a sort of musical duel. Hammond soli are great. "Isola Natale" (Brian Auger) is another great track, example of West Coast Jazz with a fantastic echo of "She's Not There" of Zombies as in "Isola Natale" is more than a veiled reference to it in the beautiful Hammond riffs. "Black Cat" (Brian Auger) is a powerful savage Rhythm'n'Blues with big band arrangements, great Hammond and Auger voice. "Lament For Miss Baker" is just a lament with a savage feel and good piano intro a la Nina Simone. "Tramp" (Fulson Mc Cracklin) is the debut song by Julie Driscoll in Open. "Tramp" is a good Soul Funky song (and previously a hit for Otis Redding and Carla Tomas) that is perfect for Julie's strident voice. Good in this song the riff of horns and good is also Hammond solo by Auger. "Why (Am I treated So Bad)" (Staples) is another good song for Julie and is perfect for the gentle atmosphere of the B side of "Open",presenting more or less the same style as the previous song but with a slower Soul rhythm and without a big band arrangement, despite the presence of horns. "A Kind Of Love In" (Auger, Driscoll) is another Rhythm'n'Blues song with great power and magic (and feeling). "Break It Up" (Usher) is another Rhythm'n'Blues, today not perfect but with good power, good piano and Funky Soul vocal parts (male chorus, female soloist). "Season Of The Witch" (Leitch) is yet another cover of Donovan's hits, here expanded enormously (but without becoming psychedelic). "Season Of The Witch" is a perfect song for Julie's voice, powerful, strident and magic. This is the last song of Original "Open" Lp but 2004 Sanctuary remastered version present also 4 bonus tracks."I've Gotta Go Now" (Pappalardi) is a perfect Rhythm'n'Blues/ Rock'n'Roll song but with POP atmosphere, although powerful and engaging, as well as a little wild and previously unreleased. "Save Me" (Ousley, Franklin, Franklin) is a great Funky Soul, perfect for Julie's voice with good horns and great power. "Save Me" was the second Trinity single, first with Julie. "The Road To Cairo" (Ackles) is a great song out in a sinle, a great relaxing power ballad with great strings and julie interpretation. Probably "Road To Cairo" is my preferred song in this edition of "Open" but at that time it was normal so magical songs as "road To Cairo" were not included in an LP. "This Wheel's on Fire" (Danko, Dylan) is another song for a single release (with "Black Cat"!), that present a good contortion of the atmospheres original, thanks to a Bluesy Beat arrangements. Too bad that the tape in the archives was not totally perfect, because it presents a slight distortion.

What I understand from listening to "Open" is that they are in front of a really nice album. Regardless of whether we want to consider "open" Prog or Jazz (not that it changes a lot) this should be stated. One side of the album is anything to Auger, the other is all for Julie. And the atmosphere change. Of course, many songs are similar. But Julie is the presence of changing things. A natural talent (probably greater than that of Brian Auger) made ​​ available to the Trinity and dosed carefully, so that, once the album is to me a little sad and I have to start tp listen to "open".

Today "Open" can not be called a masterpiece. Maybe it was not even in 1968. Nonetheless, "Open" is a little gem in the ocean of Jazz and Rock.