Category Archives: GREENSLADE
GREENSLADE The Birthday Album – Live Switzerland 1974
While he doesn’t quite get the recognition he has always deserved, Greenslade for decades has been a hell of a player, right up there with Emerson, Wakeman, Lord, Hensley, and Banks, and he’s on target along with Lawson throughout this thrilling live set. Hammond organ, Moog, Mellotron, electric piano, it’s all here and just dripping with early ’70s prog splendor. “Pilgrim’s Progress” is just amazing, a rousing number featuring rampaging Hammond and wild Moog, with the rhythms just supercharged underneath, while numbers such as “Sunkissed You’re Not” and “Bedside Manners are Extra” show just how tight this band were at delivering complex, symphonic prog rock.
The atmospheric “Drowning Man” has a certain ELP feel to it, featuring some killer drumming courtesy of McCulloch, and “Time to Dream” ups the energy with intricate rhythms, passionate vocals, and wild keyboard explorations. The 17-minute “Sundance” is a keyboard lovers dream, as the duo pull out all the stops for a spirited jam, and McCulloch gets to solo with reckless abandon on the extended percussive romp “Drum Folk”. Toss in the hard rocking “Feathered Friends” and you have an energetic, virtuoso performance from fiery prog act who sadly, never really made it to stardom like some of their contemporaries.
…this is a killer show, and one that fans of vintage ’70s prog rock will want to seek out. 4/5 Stars.
Sea Of Tranquility (August 2017)
With several of the pieces extending outward into multi-sectioned suites of such proportions that would give ELP or Yes a run for their money, they command a bristling with intricacy and hard rock edge that occasionally recalls the baroque complexities of Gentle Giant, driven by the Wetton-esque crunch of Tony Reeves’ bass. Dave Lawson’s synths provide textural contrast to Dave Greenslade’s blues-rooted soloing…These spirited and road-tested renditions of their studio counterparts pack a considerable punch.
Prog Magazine (December 2016)
…Lawson and Greenslade really get to show their chops on the 17-minute long free-jamming ‘Sundance’ where they wring all sorts of wonderful sounds from their keyboards, while the 14-minute ‘Drum Folk’ allows McCulloch to knock seven bells out of his cavernous-sounding kit. Now if only I could grow my hair long again…
Pipeline Magazine (December 2016)
“Pilgrim’s Progress” may be the most illustrious example of the ensemble’s instrumental intricacy and their ability to wrap attack – sharpened to perfection in “Time To Dream” – in elegance, but “Drowning Man” adds a playful groove to it, whereas two organs propel “Feathered Friends” towards a “Gimme Some Lovin’” kind of cool before stopping at the gothic prospect of eco disaster. For original GREENSLADE, extinction was around the corner, too, and the telepathy captured here would soon be gone, but while it lasted it felt magical. *****
DMME.net (November 2016)
Two albums are played exclusively: ‘Greenslade’ & ‘Bedside Manners Are Extra’, the live versions being slightly different from the studio albums. Dave Lawson (Alan Brown Set, Episode Six, Samurai) is on piano, keyboards, clavinet and ARP synthesizer. Tony Reeves is on bass (ex-John Mayall and Colosseum. On the drums Andy McCulloch (ex-King Crimson). One notices the absence of guitar, the music of Greenslade being entirely dedicated to keyboards – beautifully used and particularly diversified. The sharing between the two aforementioned albums is fairly equal…the sound of the set is very listenable too, in accordance with the quality reissues of Angel Air. A live release recommend to lovers of keyboard-based music.
Highlands Magazine – Translated (November 2016)
This is the last known live recording of the original line-up of progressive rock band Greenslade, recorded in Prilly, Switzerland on January 18th, 1974 – on band leader Dave Greenslade’s 31st birthday…songs performed that evening were from Greenslade’s first 2 studio albums, including ‘An English Western’, ‘Sun Kissed Your Not’, ‘Bedside Manners Are Extra’, ‘Drowning Man’, and ‘Feathered Friends’.
Bev Bevan, Sunday Mercury (November 2016)
…the instrumentals are the real strength of this album. Special mention must go to the rather Camel-like Swings and Roundabouts, the first part of a ten minute medley with Time Takes My Time where we get to hear Greenslade singing for the first time. However, the last duo of songs really bring the listener back into familiar Greenslade territory. Country Dance flows beautifully between fast jazz-based sections and murkier slow parts…The band are really on top form as well, never seeming to miss a note…I’d say fans of the band will definitely get a kick out of hearing this band in action at the best point in their history.
The Progressive Aspect (September 2016)
This release has historical significance for Greenslade fans as this is the last known live recording of the original line-up. Recorded in Philly, Switzerland on January 18, 1974 (Dave’s birthday), the band was then comprised of Dave Greenslade, Dave Lawson, Tony Reeves, and Andrew McCulloch. The concert presents the band playing material from their first two albums. You can tell from these tracks how tight these guys had gotten from performing this material live. The sound quality is good, but you can definitely tell that this was a concert recorded in the mid-1970s. We’ve always felt that Greenslade was one of the best progressive bands from the seventies and yet, for some reason, they’ve never received the same amount of recognition that many other bands from that time period have. Nine cool tracks here including “An English Western,” “Bedside Manners Are Extra,” “Time To Dream,” and “Feathered Friends.”
babysue (September 2016)
This distinctly low fidelity offering captures the stylish prog rockers’ performance at Prilly in Switzerland on keyboard ace Dave Greenslade’s 31st birthday, in what was destined to be the last known live recording made by their original line-up.
Kevin Bryan, Regional Newspapers (August 2016)
Greenslade was a band you could always listen to with pleasure, both on record and live. In 1974 they were on the stage at the renowned Jazz Bilzen Festival and gave an impressive show. With this release, you get to relive it!
Keys and Chords (August 2016)
The 72-minute excursion results from a recording that was only recently discovered by Reeves. The show was taped – on Dave Greenslade’s 31st birthday – in Prilly, Switzerland, during a European tour by the band. The big Greenslade following will be delighted to hear a selection of some of the songs and instrumentals they love resplendent in a concert ambience.
The Beat (August 2016)
GREENSLADE Large Afternoon
When it flies, it absolutely soars on ‘Hallelujah Anyway’, ‘In The Night’ and ‘On Suite’, all of which feature some sublime keyboard interplay and John’s superb vocals…
Classic Rock Society (November 2014)
To like this album one needs to appreciate the mellower side of prog, with a large dosage of pop rock as well. The music never gets too complicated and for me that is okay. Sometimes I just want to relax when I listen to music and Large Afternoon fits that bill rather nicely and the melodies are outstanding. Looking forward to checking out their ’70s albums.
Sea Of Tranquility (September 2014)
To finish off ‘May Fair’ is bright and breezy and bristles with much olde English charm that suggests maypoles and much frolicking on the village green! Enjoyed the whole CD.
Pipeline (September 2014)
The rest of the tracks, all instrumental, are dominated by a psychedelic chill-out vibe (as indicated by the sleeve), courtesy of two keyboardists (Greenslade and Young respectively). This gives the compositions an altogether bigger, more orchestral sound.
Music-News (August 2014)
The playing is fluid and captivating and the songs are in the same general vein as they were in the early 1970s. Nine well-crafted cuts here including “Cakewalk,” “No Room – But A View,” “In The Night,” and “May Fair.”
babysue (June 2014)
The finished product lacked some of the inventiveness and originality of their early work but is well worth investigating nonetheless, with ‘On Suite’ and ‘Cakewalk’ emerging as the best of the bunch.
Kevin Bryan, Regional Newspapers (June 2014)
GREENSLADE Live 1973-1975
…even in this rarest of phenomenon, Greenslade remain a unique proposition 40 years on.
DME Music Site (September 2011)
The classically inspired ‘Joie De Vivre’ is one of their more optimistic pieces, encompassing varying changes of mood and tempo and sounding clear and crisp throughout. Given the age of the source material the quality here is very good with each instrument being much defined.
Sea Of Tranquility (September 2011)
Greenslade’s unusual no-guitar-but-two-lots-of-keyboards line-up is heard in great form across a running time of of just over an hour…The music recalls the unit’s powerful combination, made up of keyboards alchemist Dave Greenslade and bassist Tony Reeves (they’d been together in Colosseum), Dave Lawson (vocals and additional keyboards, previously with the Alan Bown Set), and Andrew McCulloch (drums, latterly with King Crimson)
The Beat (September 2011)
…the quality of this live recording is very good, bearing in mind we’re talking live recordings from the mid-70s here! Not just a must for Greenslade fans but everyone who calls themselves prog-rock fans!
Music-News.com (September 2011)
With their studio output newly reissued, this live offering is a timely and complementary perspective.
Classic Rock Magazine (October 2011)
A fascinating live set from Angel Air, showcasing the only available live recordings from Dave Greenslade’s creative heyday.
Kevin Bryan, Stirling Advertiser (October 2011)
…an excellent insight into a band that arguably were way ahead of their time and which blazed a trail that many keyboard led progressive acts have followed. This album is an excellent introduction to the world of Greenslade.
Fireworks magazine (November/December 2011)
Their dedicated following will love this opportunity to relive those heady days of mind-expanding prog rock gigs.
Pipeline
A fascinating live set from Angel Air, showcasing the only available live recordings from Greenslade’s creative heyday in the early seventies.
Kevin Bryan
This CD provides an introduction to the band as a whole, providing a selection of superb Mellotron keyboard sequences alongside stretches of brilliant Minimoog progressions. New prog fans will find Greenslade a tight band, musically, without the often debilitating self indulgence yet offering a series of multifaceted ideas that blend into often intricate conglomerates of ideas that stand repeated listening.
Hi-Fi World (April 2012)
GREENSLADE The Full Edition – Live 2001
Highlights include ‘Cakewalk’, very keyboard driven and not unlike Camel; ‘Feathered Friends’, an up-tempo blues meets jazz workout and the exceptional vocal talents of John Young…Interesting listen – very laid back sound, with plenty of musical variety mixing jazz, blues, AOR and progressive music well.(****)
Jason Ritchie, www.getreadytorock.com (February 2004)
It was a splendid evening that took many of the audience back to a time when ‘music was music’…
Martin Hudson, Classic Rock Society (March 2004)
…There’s more prog-minded magic in store this month, as Greenslade bounce back from almost 30 years in exile, with Live 2001 – The Full Edition (Angel Air). Recorded on February 10 2001, when Greenslade appeared at a Classic Rock Society gig in Rotherham, England, the album reunites founder Dave Greenslade with just one former colleague, bassist Tony Reeves. But with sterling performances from new vocalist John Young and drummer John Trotter, Live 2001 captures the band’s entire set that night – 12 songs that recall some of the original group’s best loved numbers, at the same time as looking forward with a handful of fresh compositions carved exquisitely in traditional Greenslade form. A new Greenslade album is apparently in the works – if Live 2001 is anything to judge by, it should be a winner.
Jo-Anne Greene, Goldmine (March 2004)
…Tracks are taken from throughout the band’s career…there is definitely an audience of proggers that will want this CD
Feedback (June 2004)
GREENSLADE Going South
…a welcome reissue…a fine album which maintains the high standards set by its creator.
Steve Ward, Classic Rock Society (August 2004)
This is an ambient New Age album from a keyboard player who has produced some stunning work…
Feedback (September 2004)