HANGING ROPE - BBC SESSIONS AND RARE TRACKS (1970-1971)

Mike Patto is a great vocalist and together with his supergroup with Ollie Halsall on guitar (a favorite player of mine) and vibraphone they created a very original sort of hard rock fused with jazz and soul. On this record (I have a 2lp version) you can find their BBC recordings and boy are they a treat! Their studio performances are really good on their two first albums, but in my opinion they sound much more energetic in this live (on the radio studio) setting. The playing and musical interaction is stuf of legends and stands out a really original, even today.

The band seems to be able to connect masterful musicianship in both jazz rock and hard rock. As a guitar player I am wildly impressed by Halsall's fierce playing through jazz chords and rhythms. Mike Patto is one of the best live singers with a voice as good as Paul Rodgers or Joe Cocker in their heydays. The songs are just vehicles for shamelessly exposing their musicality and interplay, without ever feeling forced or stern. These recordings breath a wild enthusiasm that one can only find in '67-'72 rock recordings of groups like Hendrix, Zeppelin, Free and The Who.

The quality of the recordings differs, but is mostly very nice and authentic on a higher volume in the living room. Remastered very well. Their are two 'off air' recordings that will invoke instant skip reactions, why print those on a record between well recorded songs? Still the damage is easily dealt with. The first side has the march 1971 BBC recordings which are all perfect. Side two has the June 1971 BBC recordings which are all brilliant except for the off air recording of Hanging Rope. Side three has two great tracks (Love Me, Government Man) and closes with an off air recording (skip) and LP outtake 'Beat the Drum' which I also can live without. Side four has some more LP outtakes which sound great (album recordings), but aren't as interesting as the BBC live recordings.

In summary. First record is great except for the last track and the third side has two great tracks as opening. My rating is based on these recordings. Among the best rock recordings of history in my opinion. And how did the BBC manage to get these well recorded performances? Unbelievable. I can therefor warmly recommend this release!

Recommended to listeners of heavy prog, hard rock, jazz rock, BBC session and British rock greatness in general.