VANILLA FUDGE [AKA: YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON]

Vanilla Fudge laid the foundations for many more bands than just the obvious ones such as URIAH HEEP and DEEP PURPLE. Their Hammond drenched interpretations (and let's be clear these are interpretations, not simply covers) created a whole new style of rock which found its way into the music of any number of bands who followed.

You only have to listen to the slowed down wall of sound which adorns the opening rendition of the Beatles "Ticket to ride" to realise that this is a milestone album in the history of rock. It is fair to say in criticism of the band that (at this time) they did not write their own material. That comment is perversely also very unfair. I defy anyone listening to the opening minutes of "People get ready" without knowing the name of the track to identify the original song. It is only when the principal melody gently drifts in that the song becomes recognisable. Here the band demonstrate their harmonic talents, the track clearly having had a major influence on URIAH HEEP and THREE DOG NIGHT among many others.

The Zombie's "She's not there" is transformed from a pop classic to a lead guitar infested dirge, and it's wonderful! Even songs such as Cher's "Bang bang" (written by Sonny Bono) are not immune from the treatment. By the time the guitar and organ have finished introducing the track, Cher's version would be over.

The second side of the original LP lists three brief (20 seconds) pieces entitled "Illusions from my childhood" but these appear to have been rolled up in subsequent releases into the intros to the tracks which they precede. This side contains just three lengthy interpretations. Two of these are Motown classics, "You keep me hanging on" being the song which did more to identify Vanilla Fudge and what they were all about than any other. "Take me for a little while" is the most faithful of the covers, but even then it has an underlying power and some great bass work.

The album closes with the second of the Beatles songs "Eleanor Rigby". The song was one of the Beatles most original and enterprising, and the 8 minute version here only serves to emphasise the majesty of the composition. Once again, it is only once we have passed beyond the improvised introduction that the song on which the track is based becomes apparent.

It really is astonishing to think that this album was released in 1967, some years before prog became a reality. There is an originality and creativity here which was some years ahead of its time. The irony is that on the face of it, this is an album of cover versions. The reality is, nothing could be further from the truth. Essential for those wishing to discover the roots of prog and metal.

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