What does it sound like?:
Colosseum’s third studio album, originally released in 1970, is the next in their catalogue to be given a(nother) rerelease, with the addition of three bonus tracks.
This album was recorded at a time when there were some major comings and goings within the band, with only one track featuring all the six official members. There is something of a melancholy air pervading the album, with song titles such as Three Score Years and Ten Amen, Take Me Back To Doomsday and Bring Out Your Dead. Despite this, it’s actually quite a good album, with orchestral brass and stringed instruments being used to supplement their usual sound to create an at times fascinating melange of prog and jazz fusion. The strongest piece is the Jack Bruce/Pete Brown composition Theme From An Imaginary Western, perhaps better known in it’s incarnations on Bruce’s 1969 Songs For A Tailor album or Mountain’s version from the following year. It’s a bit of a shame some of the pieces aren’t longer – just as they start to develop instrumentally and achieve lift off they are brought to too hasty a conclusion. Having said that, the longest piece here, The Time Machine, which is basically an extended drum solo recorded live, far outstays its welcome. Three bonus tracks are added, of which the lengthy workout The Pirate’s Dream, recorded in 1971, is the pick of the bunch.
What does it all *mean*?
This is a very decent prog album, especially if you like a bit off jazz rock fusion in the mix. Overall, it’s not as good as The Valentyne Suite, but nevertheless it’s certainly worth your attention.
Goes well with…
Reminiscing about the early seventies when complex challenging music like this was very much the order of the day.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Their other albums, prog, fusion.
Ah, Colosseum – one of my personal faves. It’s actually quite a good album (I may have stolen that line)
Valentyne Suite is a constant companion, always sounding fresh and brilliant and exciting – both sides – but this is a sad let-down. Rubbish, really.
I bought this as a spotty teenager desperate to break ranks with my peers. I’d had enough of EJ, Rod, The Purps, Zep, etc.
I bought this purely on the basis of a review. The review was almost academic in it’s praise. I remember the vivid description of the mix of styles I would hear – rock, blues and something called ‘jazz’. Jazz in a rock record! This I have to buy and elevate myself from the mediocrity that bathed my ears, I reasoned.
It was shite.
By odd coincidence I listened to it last week.
It’s shite.
Unfortunately the best track (Take Me Back To Doomsday) doesn’t have Chris Farlowe singing it – although there is a live version on YouTube. The Time Machine is a disgrace: a live drum solo badly edited from the end of a longer performance.
The Pirate’s Dream? I saw The Dick Heckstall -Smith Band do that in 1972. Wonderful it was.
Been away for a while so catching up on old threads
Was/am a massive fan of Valentine Suite. Remember being woefully underwhelmed by this when it came out – could never get on with Chris Farlowes’ foghorn of a voice. Ruined the band in my opinion although the material also not as good.
I still play this track regularly- now theres a voice