While never really all that popular here in North America or in their home of Great Britain, the Edgar Broughton Band, along with other local acts like The Groundhogs and Pink Fairies, certainly stayed busy with plenty of touring and album releases during the late '60s/early '70s to make a name for themselves and become a notable act on the Harvest record label. As Harvest were more known as a 'progressive' label, the sweaty, grungy hard rock, folk, blues, and psychedelia of the EBB were somewhat of an odd fit, but they did release five solid albums during the years 1969-1973, all of which are included in this 4CD set, as well as assorted singles, B-sides, and a rare live concert recording from 1970 at Hyde Park.
One thing I will say right off the bat, the EBB are not always an easy listen. Despite the fact that stylistically they were all over the map, Edgar Broughton had a gravelly voice not far removed from Captain Beefheart, which can be an acquired taste. The early material, such as albums Wasa Wasa, Sing Brother Sing and Edgar Broughton Band, sees the band exploring heavy blues rock (almost proto-metal at times), thick with powerful guitar riffs and thunderous grooves, as well as psychedelic folk. For some this might be the most rewarding period, as by 1972's In Side Out the group have settled more into pub styled blues & folk fare, that while still listenable, is not quite as compelling. Over on disc 4 there are 6 tracks from their appearance at London's Hyde Park in 1970, which is a rousing performance that again shows the band in hard rocking form, with a blistering versions of "Love in the Rain", 'Drop Out Boogie", and "Out Demons Out", but it's marred by too much talking to the audience (these guys were big into the 'protest' movement) and extended solos.
Overall this is a pretty nice set for those new to the Edgar Broughton Band, but a more detailed booklet with information on the band and these albums would have been nice. As a look back at the formative period on Harvest of an often overlooked British band, this is well worth seeking out.
Track Listing
DISC 1
1. Death of an Electric Citizen
2. American Boy Soldier
3. Why Can't Somebody Love Me?
4. Neptune
5. Evil
6. Crying
7. Love in the Rain
8. Dawn Crept Away
9. Out Demons Out
10. Up Yours!
11. Freedom
12. There's No Vibrations But Wait!
13. The Moth
a/ The Moth
b/ People
c/ Peter
14. Momma's Reward (Keep Them Freak's a Rollin')
15. Refugee
16. Officer Dan
DISC 2
1. Old Gopher
2. Aphrodite
3. Granma
4. Psychopath
a/ The Psychopath
b/ Is for Butterflies
5. It's Falling Away
6. Apache Drop Out
7. Evening Over Rooftops
8. The Birth
9. Piece of My Own
10. Poppy
11. Don't Even Know Which Day It Is
12. House of Turnabout
13. Madhatter
14. Getting Hard / What Is a Woman for?
15. Thinking of You
16. For Dr Spock (Parts 1 & 2)
17. Hotel Room
18. Call Me a Liar
DISC 3
1. Get Out Of Bed / Theres Nobody There / Side By Side
2. Sister Angela
3. I Got Mad
4. They Took It Away
5. Homes Fit For Heroes
6. Gone Blue
7. Chilly Morning Mama
8. The Rake
9. Totin' This Guitar
10. Double Agent
11. It's Not You
12. Rock 'N Roll
13. Someone
14. Mr Crosby
15. Hurricane Man / Rock N' Roller
16. Roccococooler
17. Eviction
18. Oh You Crazy Boy!
19. Things On My Mind
DISC 4
1. Exhibits From A New Museum / Green Lights
2. Face From A Window / Pretty / Hi-Jack Boogie / Slow Down
3. Capers
4. Love In The Rain
5. Silver Needle
6. Drop Out Boogie
7. Refugee
8. American Boy Soldier
9. Out Demons Out
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
