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Pretty Decent British Blues

Fred Rayworth | Las Vegas, NV United States | 10/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this vinyl album on a lark when I was in high school. It had just come out and I was intrigued by the name. I had no idea what to expect. Once I put it on the turntable, I was quite disappointed. It didn't rock at all! I wasn't really into the blues that much at the time. However, my friend Dennis was, and he borrowed the album. I eventually got it back, without the original cover, and kept it in my album collection in just a sleeve with the title hand-written on it.



Jump 40 years later and I burned it to a CD and have been listening to it on my long commute to work.



The one song I remember is Watch And Chain and hearing it again after so many years, brings back a rush of memories from high school. Though I never played it much, Dennis did, and it took plenty of abuse and is scratchy and poppy. All that noise actually adds to the charm of it now. An old scratchy blues album sounds better than one that is pristine, in my opinion.



For some reason, this band really nails the blues. They make it sound so authentic, especially for a bunch of Blokes. They somehow tapped into the genuine vibe and pulled off a great group of songs. All the songs are good, but I especially favor Watch and Chain, and the more extended cuts on side two.



This is British blues at its best and I highly recommend it for blues fans.

"

Sadly Overlooked

Mr. Mambo | Burnsville, MN USA | 07/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Aynsley Dunbar had a great little blues band going here in the late sixties. This I believe is their debut album, and it contains some of the best British blues ever recorded. Singer Victor Brox went on to greater fame as he procured one of the lead roles--Judas Iscariot?--in Jesus Christ Superstar, and of course drummer Dunbar himself shook off the blues and made megamillions in Journey. High points are Whiskey Head Woman and Double Lovin, the latter which MUST feature the legendary Peter Green, England's best ever blues guitarist. If it's not him it's someone whose done a remarkable job of ripping him off. Those two cuts are worth the price alone, but there are many others to enjoy. A landmark recording in British blues history.



I'd have given it five stars, but I only give five stars to the most stupifyingly phenomenal stuff, you know, the things which have the power to change your life."