"...Big Chief..."
"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by KEY LARGO revolves
around the British blues band sole self-titled debut LP for the cult UK blues
label 'Blue Horizon' – a hard-to-find £70 to £100 vinyl rarity. This superb 2008 Sony CD Remaster adds on five juicy bonuses too. Here are the key details...
KEY LARGO were:
PAT McAULIFFE on Vocals with LAURENCE GARMAN on Harmonica
LAWRENCE (LOL) SANFORD on Guitar
BOB SAVAGE on Keyboards
TOM STEAD on Bass with KENNY LAMB on Drums & Percussion
Released September 2008 - "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions"
by KEY LARGO on Sony/Blue Horizon 88697359862 (Barcode 886973598627) is a CD compilation
and breaks down as follows (53:26 minutes):
1. Big Chief (Part 1)
2. Axe And The Wind
3. Give It Up
4. What Do I Do With It (Now I’ve Got It)
5. Stranger In My Own Home Town
6. That Did It
7. Big Chief (Part 2)
8. Medley: (a) Come And Get It, Baby (If You Want It) – Bit One (b) Get
It In Together) (c) Come And Get It, Baby (If You Want It) – Bit Two
9. O.S. Blues
10. Wrapped Up In Love Again
11. Biscayne Bug
12. As The Years Go Passing By
Tracks 1 to 12 are the album “Key Largo” issued in the UK in September
1970 on Blue Horizon S 7-63859
Track 13 is “Voodoo Rhythm” - the non-album A-side issued on 7” single 2
October 1970 on Blue Horizon 57-3178 (it’s B-side is the last track on the album
“As The Years Go Passing By”)
14. Sweet Home Chicago [by STEAMHAMMER]
15. Soul Survivor [by STEAMHAMMER]
16. So Many Roads [by STEAMHAMMER]
17. Soul Survivor [by STEAMHAMMER]
Tracks 14 to 17 are previously unreleased DEMO recordings of the band credited
under their original name STEAMHAMMER - recorded in September/October 1969 in
Mono
SIMON WOOD at Dubmaster Studios in Hampshire has transferred the
original master tapes while SEAN LYNCH at Torch Music did the digitally
remastering and editing – and the usual high standard has been achieved. The
album itself sounds clean, but the extras are crude and very hissy. The 8-page
booklet has an essay on the album sessions by label boss MIKE VERNON, a
detailed blurb on each member of the group and even pictures the A&B of the
lone 7” single they produced in its distinctive ‘red’ label bag (they’re
usually blue). A card wrap covers the outside – it’s mid-price too – all good -
classy as ever.
The music is a strange hybrid of Dr. John’s New Orleans rhythm ‘n’ blues
mixed with a slightly Blodwyn Pig feel on the more rockin’ tracks (most songs
segue into each other without a break). The album opens with an excellent
instrumental version of Earl King’s “Big Chief (Part 1)”, followed by a bluesy
cover of Willie Dixon’s “Axe & The Wind” which features superb backing
brass. Laurence Garman plays great Harmonica and Jew’s Harp on a very funky and
soulful cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Give It Up”. Given the wads of previously unreleased
material we’ve been treated to on almost all of their other BH releases, the
extras on this one are a huge disappointment – the demos are very crudely
recorded and frankly a bit dull. With just a plodding “Voodoo Rhythm” to
comfort us - all of it leaves the album itself – on ok-only white-boy blues
album – a little naked and alone.
I’ve loved all the BH releases to date, but this is a good release
rather than a great one. Still, for the better album tracks on here debuting
for the first time on CD – I’d recommend it.
PS: see also reviews for TOP TOPHAM, GORDON SMITH and JELLYBREAD in this
round of September 2008 reissues
