FOOLS MEETING

Another unknown act from the UK that I had never heard about it until recently. This group compromises of powerful singer Carol Grimes, backed by a dream team of musicians that would eventually become quite famous through the so called Cantebury Scene. Anyone vaguely familiar with that will recognise names like Steve Miller (Caravan), his brother Phil (National health and others), Roy Babbington (Soft Machine) and Pip Pyle (Hatfield & The North, among others). So it is an all star group, although no one knew it at the time. This rare LP was released in the CD format with a good remastering and four bonus tracks (two live tracks, one alternative track and one non LP track).

The music inside is very strong and impeccably played, of course, but nothing of what you might call groundbreaking or even too original. It is the blues rock style of the day, with some jazz influences. If you like this kind of music, then go for it! Carol Grimes may not have the most beautiful voices in rock but, boy, does she know how to deliver! (pun intended). She reminds me of early Jefferson Airplane´s singer Signe Anderson and does a great job here. What a pair of pipes! It makes you wonder how they were in front of an audience (the live tracks give a hint that they were very promising). This LP should have had better luck at the time it was released.

All tracks are good and the production is ok for the period (quite enhanced by the new remastering).

Rating: even for a non blues rock fan like me, it was obvious that this band could have gone very far if they stayed together a little longer. it is a shame they didn´t. And this release is proof of that. It deserves 3,5 stars at least.

Do you like jazz tinged blues rock? Then listen and judge for yourself. You won´t be disappointed.