Michael Krikorian | Pleasanton,California | 02/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is classic Jack Bruce. So many expected him to simply follow the paths he started with Cream when he became a solo artist. But Jack Bruce truly did design a style all his own fusing jazz, blues and rock in a way that it had never and has never been done before. If you enjoyed albums like Out Of The Storm or How's Trick's to name but two, you will surely love this one. Incomparable as his bass playing is, he is in my opinion rocks most underrated superstar. This album highlights all of his talents and I believe if you haven't been into Jack Bruce before, it's 30 years past time to get with it."
A great, overlooked album by the master of the bass
Studebacher Hoch | Portland, OR | 02/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I just want to agree, wholeheartedly, with the other reviewer. This is a stellar collection of great material in the rock vein. If you are a West, Bruce and Laing fan, this album delivers the goods with high energy, well recorded ferocious rock and roll - actually much better than "Why Doncha". Cream fans won't be disappointed with Hey Now Princess, which features Ginger Baker and is the equal of anything Cream ever recorded in the studio (and I say that very carefully). And other songs will evoke Jack's long and distinguished solo career. My only complaint is that the album has a slightly over-produced sound. Yeah, it's glossy and pretty, but on occasion, there's simply a bit too much in the mix. But this is a quibble. This is an adventurous, eclectic effort, like the best of Bruce's stuff, and worthy of your attention."
1989 release after very long layoff
G. Wallace | Hilliard, OH USA | 07/10/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Not sure what the delay represented, but Jack Bruce waited nine years between releases for Epic Records (also his label when he played with Leslie West in the early 1970's). I think this was mostly recorded in San Francisco. The opening track is badly rushed and loses all its former drama, but things soon improve. The fun really starts with Albert Collins' solo on "Blues You Can't Lose" (an obscure Willie Dixon tune) and continues right through the superb anti-war song "Only Playing Games." It's quite a broad range of styles Bruce employs on this record. There are also memorable cameos from Allan Holdsworth and Ginger Baker on "Obsession" and from Tony Williams on "Kwela". I always loved the cover art for this one as well."
Improved sound quality wins out......
John H. McCarthy | Archbald,PA | 07/19/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I already had the original 1989 Epic Records version of this CD, but was able to pick up this remaster cheap, and it was also advertised as having a bonus track. When I received it and did a comparison, these were my findings:
First of all, I noted that the original version had the bonus track also...my bad...
The original booklet has the lyrics, the remaster doesn't, BUT has a three page history of the album...
The new version has a cool "fake record" design on the disc...
Last, but obviously NOT the least, the sound quality has been improved, not by great leaps and bounds, but when I "cranked up" the track "Hey Now Princess" on the Epic CD, the low end was "thumpy" and distorted, the mid-range muddy, and the high end indistinct. The remaster is subtly better, when I increased the volume the music sounded better, as it should, with well-defined bass guitar, and minimal distortion...
Bottom line? If your a Jack Bruce fan, or want to dip your toe in his catalog, this is a fine album, and definitely the version to obtain. As a previous reviewer noted, the production is a little dated at times, and in my opinion overly "Bass-y", but hey now, this is a JACK BRUCE album! 'Nuff said......"