Search - Climax Chicago Blues Band :: Plays on

Different!!!

Zeca Wolf | São Paulo | 10/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every blues band sound the same to you? Listen to Plays On and you'll think different. This band's sound is unique, and yet they manage to play a lot of different musical styles, all of them with a blues flavor. Hard to find and harder to forget, once you hear it once."

This album rocks

BobB | near Albany NY | 02/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album features some amazing jamming between guitarist Pete Haycock & Sax man Colin Cooper. This is closer to Blues than any other type of music but offers lots of great rockin' with some Jazz thrown in for good measure. HIGHLY recommended to anyone who loves rockin Blues."

A cut above, and deliciously different from the pack...

J. Byler | Morgan Hill, CA USA | 05/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long-time devotee to this once-great British blues band, I have to say that The Climax Blues Band plays on, indeed! This was released 40 years ago, yet it still sets itself apart from the norm, defies the conventions of what is usually construed as "blues", and is full of different styles and surprises.



What is consistently found here, as usual, is the extraordinary musicianship that was this band's calling card, and most noteworthy is the fretwork by lead-guitarist Peter Haycock. Peter Haycock and saxophonist Colin Cooper were in lock-step groove mode and these are some serious jams. "So Many Roads" is a great slow blues classic, and is a great performance on guitar and vocals by Mr. Haycock.



The Climax Blues Band was the definitive LIVE band back in the day, in my opinion. I mention that because their 1973 release, FM/Live, raises the bar as to how powerful a Live recording can be -- perhaps rivaled only by the likes of Humble Pie's ROCKIN' THE FILLMORE in its ferocity. The tune "Flight" is featured on both Plays On and FM/Live, and the intricacy of the arrangement is pretty spectacular. Don't try to dance to it because you'll probably hurt yourself trying...



Peter Haycock (now refers to himself as Pete) is now recording and touring with his new band, Pete Haycock's True Blues (featuring Glen Turner), and there are some searing blues and consistently-brilliant performances to be found there as well. (recommend going to RMI Sound website for info on that one).



Check this one out; it'll bring a smile to your face!"