Far Canal is Jody Grind's second album, and is an excellent example of the kind of innovative trios that were coming from the UK in 1970. Starting out with a Baroque medley, it doesn't take long to hear the main theme, sounding every bit like something that would come from a band like Caravan or Web during this time. 'Bath Sister' continues though more in the blues rock vein. What comes across on both tracks is the quality of the band's songwriting, which is definitely a cut above. 'Jump Bed Jed' is the highlight of the album, and it's one true masterpiece. A lengthy track, it combines both the band's songwriting acumen with a keen sense of hard rock jamming containing energetic guitar and Hammond solos, with many peak moments throughout. 'O Paradiso' continues in a similar manner, even recalling Santana and appears to be yet another home run. But it contains the album's one misstep, a lengthy mid-section percussion/drum solo that is entirely boring and ruins the overall flow. Pity. 'Plastic Shit' demonstrates that Jody Grind could have competed on the world stage as one of the hard blues rock arena headliners. The swaggering vocals and guitar riffs would not have been out of place on either of the first 2 Led Zeppelin albums. From here, the band shuts their trap and goes instrumental with varying styles, all excellent. 'Red Worms & Lice' seemingly picks up where 'Jump Bed Jed' left off. And 'Ballad for Bridget' is a very fine jazzy piano/guitar piece, and a perfect closer to an overall excellent album.
Personal collection
LP: 1970 Transatlantic
CD: 1988 Line (Germany)
My first exposure to Far Canal was the Line CD that I picked up not long after release. A very basic reissue, like all on the label, the album has never been treated to a specialist release. Many years later I picked up the original LP, as I tend to do for favorite albums.
No comments:
Post a Comment