Anyone on here know this album well enough to say a few words?
Due 29/07...Newly remastered edition of the eccentric all-star Psychedelic rock album “LORD SUTCH & HEAVY FRIENDS”.
Screaming Lord Sutch was one of the most notorious figures of the British music scene of the 1960s. With his group the Savages he was arguably the first “shock rock” star. The group also nurtured the talents of notable musicians such as Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Mick Abrahams, Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell and Adrian Gurvitz.
By 1969 many of his protégés had gone on to stardom in their own right as members of Led Zeppelin, the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Deep Purple or as solo artists. In May of that year Lord Sutch and a group of musicians including Jimmy Page (who also produced the sessions), Noel Redding, Jeff Beck, John Bonham and Nicky Hopkins gathered at Mystic studios in Hollywood to begin work on this eccentric album.
Released on Atlantic Records in 1970, “Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends” has divided opinion ever since its release, with some hailing it as a lost classic of psychedelic rock. Now a highly sought after collectors item, this edition is newly remastered from the original tapes and offers the listener the chance to experience Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends once again.
1. WAILING SOUNDS 2. ‘CAUSE I LOVE YOU 3. FLASHING LIGHTS 4. GUTTY GUITAR 5. WOULD YOU BELIEVE 6. SMOKE AND FIRE 7. THUMPING BEAT 8. UNION JACK CAR 9. ONE FOR YOU, BABY 10. LONDON 11. BRIGHTEST LIGHT 12. BABY, COME BACK
As I recall, the "heavy friends" who were the main selling point all did rather better work elsewhere. Sutch was a great showman, but not a great singer and he did not inspire the best in the all star band on this record. Sold well in the US, but a disappointment in musical terms.
Hi Painterman,i must be the dissenter here,this aint as bad as its made out to be imo,theres some absolutely scorching guitar all through this album,i agree the weakest point about this album is the vocals,but even that is passable and i have heard a lot worse believe me.Theres are 2 bluesy tracks that did nothing for me but other tracks like Flashing Lights,Gutty Guitar and L.O.N.D.O.N(vocals are poor on this) have great guitar on them,and theres loads more guitar to hear throughout this album.Finally i must mention the album cover as it looks like its from swinging london with the union flag rolls royce but 2 years later and the clobber Sutchy is wearing looks if it came from a couple of year earlier too.Album Great....no....enjoyable..........yes on most of it in my opinion,
Painterman ive sent you an e-mail concering this album,if you can e-mail me back mate.Many thanks!!
Heard this now ( ta again Stuart )
Apart from 2 or 3 unremarkable tracks, I think this albums good.
Some brilliant moves from Pagey.
Nice psychy touches on a couple of tunes too.
The reissue of this cd has now been released on Esoteric Records,just received it,sound quality wise its never sounded better,compared to the other 2 cd issues,as i said in an earlier post which seems like many moons ago,not a great album but just strangely enjoyable,some insight into the workings of Lord Sutch and how it came to be that all those top musicians appear on this album are touched upon in the liners,Sutchy a wee bit loose with the truth???Finally some brilliant guitar parts through this,i know this album has had some beatings from folk but i really do think its better than its rep gets........apart from Sutchys vocals in parts.
