Gravy Train's debut is often compared to as a mix of Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull, and honestly that's not an unfair assessment. Starting with the former, Gravy Train gives the Sabs a run for their money in the heaviness sweepstakes. The feel of the music isn't as doomy, and the heavy fuzz tones aren't as pervasive, but for 1970 Vertigo Swirl albums, Gravy Train gets a 2nd place ribbon. Concerning the Jethro Tull influence, that generally comes about because Tull are (by far) the most famous of the English blues based bands with flute in the lead. However, students of the genre can point to at least a couple dozen bands where flute was a predominant instrument, if not the main focus entirely. As with any rock album coming from the 1970 UK landscape, blues is the primary theme. The hard rock and progressive elements that are added in is what makes the scene so special, even to modern ears. Personally, I was a bit late to board the Gravy Train, not having heard them until the Si-Wan LP (since sold) arrived around 1998 or so. It was a sound that I found immediately likable. I'm not one to toss around phrases like "underrated", as that would imply that I'm the gold standard for which all things are rated, but I do feel this album is definitely overlooked and underappreciated. It does surprise me a bit it didn't catch on with the hipster crowd as other, perhaps lesser such albums, have.
Gravy Train didn't pursue the "heavy" beyond this, softening their sound for their next - also excellent - album. From there they lost the plot entirely, and disappeared without a trace. One wonders what would have happened had they followed in Black Sabbath's footsteps instead.
Ownership: LP: 1971 Vertigo (Germany). Gatefold. Online acquisition (2021).
CD: 2005 Repertoire. Papersleeve edition.
The above LP replaced the Si-Wan LP reissue that was my first copy (1998).
1998; 3/6/17 (new entry)
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