Jack Bruce – Harmony Row Expanded Edition

What does it sound like?:

Looking back on “Harmony Row” 50+ years after its release, Bruce’s work is remembered as much for its diversity and the breadth of his musicianship as it is for his (relatively speaking) brief spell in a “supergroup”. However, first released in 1971 this was Bruce’s 3rd solo effort, markedly more adventurous and jazzy than some expected, bookended by his brief spell in Tony Williams’s Lifetime and before his return to more power trio bombast with West, Bruce and Laing.

This 4 disc set includes the now fairly predictable further remaster of the original, and a new stereo mix with 4 of the 5 extra tracks first seen with the 2003 remaster. There are also 2 Blu-ray discs which offer a surround mix and then live sets from Granada TV in 1971 and Rockpalast in 1972, where the studio band of Chris Spedding on guitar and John Marshall on drums (both recently in jazz fusion outfit Nucleus) are supplemented by old mate Graham Bond and Art Themen on sax. These weren’t provided for review but can be found on YouTube on Bruce’s own channel and WDR’s Rockpalast channel.

The album defies easy categorization, weaving together multiple musical styles albeit it’s strongly grounded in jazz and prog. It feels at times experimental, opening with the stark “Can You Follow” which is Bruce alone at the piano, before jumping to “Escape to the Royal Wood (On Ice)”. Pete Brown had written lyrics with some kind of ice operetta in mind, and since I read that, I can’t help but visualise an accompanying Philip Jenkinson / Trampled Underfoot style black and white film clip.

Bruce alternates the atmospheric voice and piano songs with the more driven numbers and “You Burned The Tables” offers up the closest song on the album to a conventional rocker. “There’s A Forest”, steps back again to Bruce alone with piano, an angular occasionally discordant ditty, gone before the two minute mark followed quickly by “Morning Story” which has Bruce’s bass driving distinctly up-tempo prog rocking replete with soaring vocals and time changes.

“Smiles and Grins” is a frantic gallop that gives way slows to a far more engaging moderately paced piano from Bruce that had me wishing it had played a bigger part in the song, whilst “Post War” allows Chris Spedding to stretch out a little away from the supporting “I’m really not here to be Clapton” role he otherwise fulfils.

“A Letter of Thanks” is a teasing boogieus innteruptus – throwing in a time change each time you think you’ve found the beat. It works somewhat better on the live Granada TV set then the album. A longer outtake is included which is a little rougher and for my money slightly better.

As to the differences between the two mixes, it’s hard to divine much given the mp3 versions available for review. To my less than reliable ears the stereo mix was brighter but I’m sure there will be some that find the remixed original warmer. One wrinkle to note is that the two discs have different outtakes. Along with the longer version of” A Letter”, the other standout is a funkier version of “You Burned The Tables” on disc 1.

“Harmony Row” failed to chart upon its release, but nonetheless Bruce consistently cited it as his favorite solo album. Looking back it must have been a bold statement from a musician refusing to be pigeonholed by his previous success – although his next endeavor would go on to revisit the Cream era. It’s an album that needs / rewards careful listening and grows with each play.

What does it all *mean*?

It suggests there’s still a market there for albums already enhanced with remixes and extras. For £70 you get 2 cds and 2 Blu-rays but I do wonder how often people will play each the remixes.

Goes well with…

Cheesecloth shirts

Release Date:

June 27th

Might suit people who like…

Cheesecloth shirts

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