Hot Wire: 4 stars and Trapeze 3.5 stars
G. C. Todd | Memphis | 03/14/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This twofer is a welcome re-release from the classic rock era of the seventies.
A little background helps: Trapeze first self titled album (not one of these two) is a different and larger band with a sound much like "Hush" era Deep Purple-- only not as good.
The second album, "Medusa", is their first recording as a power trio (mk II lineup). Everything about it is excellent with great songwriting dynamics, superb rock riffs and terrific vocals from Hughes. The next album, also mk II, is "You are the Music...", and is almost as good as "Medusa".
The fourth and fifth albums which are featured on this c.d., "Hotwire" and "Trapeze", are mk III and sans-Hughes but still quite good. As a foursome, Pete Wright replaces Hughes on bass, and Rob Kendrick is added on second guitar.
Those two cd's as originally released individually are now very difficult to obtain collector's items. Both of these albums are very good but have a slightly more pedestrian sound than the Hughes era's more progressive leanings.
If you like "Hotwire", you'll like their self-titled follow-up. Where "Hotwire" has a slightly funkier sound, "Trapeze" has a somewhat more rock oriented production. Although the lineup without Hughes (who joined Deep Purple) featured on both albums initially disappointed me, in retrospect, the survivors truly rose to the occasion.
Trapeze' sixth and last studio album, "Hold On", had yet another personnel shift (vocalist Goalby replacing second guitarist Kendrick), but with Stones producer, Jimmy Miller at the helm, it's still a worthy swan song and well worth seeking out.
This c.d., containing two great albums, helps demonstrate why Trapeze is considered one of the great unheralded bands of all time.
"
Finally came out on CD
J. Krueger | Houston | 11/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have wanted Hot Wire on CD since my album started jumping around from scratches! Saw the album for sale on Amazon for $98 and had no hope to get it on CD. Now this double CD comes out and just getting Hot Wire is worth the price. Midnight Flyer, Feel it Inside, Steal a Mile and It's alright played back-to-back is a joy to hear. Very funky, it is my favorite of all their discs. Buy it just for Hot Wire and you get the Trapeze CD as a bonus!"
Great value Trapeze 2fer
N. Hambleton | Mackay, Queensland Australia | 11/04/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"
It's a great pity we had to wait for Mel Galley to pass away for somebody to get the inspiration to release these two excellent examples of his mid 70's work. Still better late than never and good work Wounded Bird. Even though the packaging leaves a bit to be desired.
Both these albums feature the Galley, Pete Wright, Dave Holland, Rob Kendrick line up of this great guitar band, post the Glenn Hughes era.
If you are reading this the chances are I am not telling you anything you don't already know. However you may not be aware that this line up is also featured on the Major League Productions 2007 release Live at the Boat Club 75, which features two tracks each from these albums and is an excellent quality recording and well worth your investigation.
Here you get both albums on one disc. However as alluded to above the art work is disappointing in that the covers are reproduced front and back but only the size of postage stamps with no additional information at all.
Hot Wire is more "funky" than Trapeze, but don't let that word put you off. After all we are talking about the band that brought us Glenn Hughes. The album features some pretty soulful wailings from some coloured ladies on background vocals, but also features some nice guitar work. Mel Galley is clearly the leading light in that respects but I reckon Rob Kendrick fills out the sound nicely. He is a much maligned musical figure, ask any Budgie fan, but I have no complaints about his work here,
If you are a fan of the work of Mel Galley, or British 70's guitar bands in general, this is too good an opportunity to miss. Grab this one quickly as who knows how long it will remain available.
"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
