Sometimes a hunch pays off...
David Kinney | San Francisco, Ca. United States | 01/29/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Once upon a time when I was young and daring I would occasionally buy an album if I thought the cover was cool. Thus did I end up owning "What A Bloody Long Day It's Been" by Ashton,Gardner and Dyke. All I knew about them at the time (1971)was that they toured with Blind Faith and that the previous years single "Ressurection Shuffle" was a great song and a surprise regional hit in Oklahoma City. Well, the lp was only half good, but the good half was terrific. This "Best Of" weeds out the weaker tunes from their two seventies albums and includes plenty of alternate takes, unreleased tracks, and a live cut or two, making it a great buy. Tony Ashton has a gruff soulful voice not unlike Procol Harum's Gary Brooker, and the rest of the band (despite their name they are not a trio)lay down a funky, syncopated sound like..well..an english Little Feat I guess. They do swing. Best in show; "Ballad Of The Remo Four", Tony Ashton's heartfelt tribute to all the early sixties Hamburg bands. It features Tijuana brass behind Van Morrison Belfast soul styling if you can imagine such a mixture. Trust me it's great.There's not a clinker on the record, but it"s docked one star for graphics, and as I pointed out at the top of this review, graphics can make all the difference. Enjoy. Since the date of my original review appeared, I'm sorry to have to report that Tony Ashton died of cancer in June of 2001. He left a wealth of heartfelt music behind him, and he will be missed."
Another biased review
John W Manley | Liverpool, Merseyside United Kingdom | 03/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this on the premise of knowing two thirds of the group (they were with a group called 'The Remo Four' previously) I can't implore you urgently enough - You need this record!!!! Fantastic playing all round and some great songs."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
