Trapeze 1970 Medusa

Genre: Rock
Rate: 256 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:40:35
Size: 74,25 MB



Review by Jason Anderson

Not only is Medusa the finest offering from '70s outfit Trapeze, it is one of the decade's most underappreciated hard rock recordings. With a lineup that consisted of future Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath members, there seems to be proof that at least a few fellow musicians appreciated this 1971 offering.

Fans of his later work might be surprised by Glenn Hughes' soulful vocal delivery, especially on the midtempo blues-rockers like "Black Cloud" and "Your Love Is Alright." Guitarist Mel Galley also deserves mention for his sparse approach to classic rock riffing that is catchy and affective. Even the ballads are focused, memorable, and unique. There are some melodic moments on the closing title track that sound almost as if a '90s alt-rock crooner composed them.

Considering that Medusa predates many similar, and more successful, classic rock LPs from the likes of Bad Company, Nazareth, Foreigner, and others, it's a wonder that the record isn't mentioned more when influential albums of this era are discussed.


Tracklist:

01 - Black Cloud 06:14

02 - Jury 08:14

03 - Your Love Is Alright 04:56

04 - Touch My Life 04:08

05 - Seafull 06:36

06 - Makes You Wanna Cry 04:45

07 - Medusa 05:42





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Trapeze 1970 Trapeze

Genre: Rock
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:40:46
Size: 93,27 MB



Review by Bruce Eder

Trapeze were the first act signed by the Moody Blues to their newly founded Threshold Records label, and remain the most substantial talent -- along with Nicky James -- ever to pass through that company's roster, apart from the Moodies themselves. Those listeners who only know the subsequent albums by Trapeze may be surprised by this debut effort, the sole recording left behind by the original five-piece version of the band.

With Moody Blues bassist John Lodge producing a lineup that included ex-Montanas lead singer John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley alongside singer/guitarist Mel Galley, bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland, late of Finders Keepers, the sounds here don't closely resemble the hard-rocking work of the subsequent trio -- there are lush choruses, psychedelic interludes, and hook-laden romantic ballads scattered throughout this record. Yet that trio, of Hughes, Galley, and Holland, is pumping out high-energy music within the context of psychedelic pop/rock throughout this album, which comes off as a much higher-wattage alternative to the Moody Blues.

And in some respects, this album also closely resembles the better moments on those three early Deep Purple albums (the ones with Rod Evans on lead vocals), when they were essentially a hard rock outfit still playing pop/rock -- the results aren't bad and, in fact, are quite catchy at times, but it's clear that three of these musicians are holding back to one degree or another in these surroundings. Galley's high-energy leads and power chords and Hughes' already larger-than-life bass are the dominant sounds about 60 percent of the time, overpowering much around them, with songs like the Galley/Jones-composed "Fairytale" and Hughes-authored "Am I" pointing the way to their future sound -- and even on Rowley's rock ballad "Send Me No More Letters," Holland is playing drums about as hard as the music will permit. The core trio does find a good compromise with Rowley and Jones' more lyrical, psychedelic pop sensibilities, and Trapeze probably could have held this sound together longer than they did but for Jones' and Rowley's departures. But it's also clear that there was another band trying to break out from within the sound of this lineup, which happened later in the year when Trapeze were reduced to a trio.



Tracklist:

01 - It's Only A Dream 00:45

02 - The Giant's Dead Hoorah! 03:33

03 - Over 03:40

04 - Nancy Gray 02:48

05 - Fairytale - Verily Verily - Fairytale 07:42

06 - It's My Life 02:52

07 - Am I 03:09

08 - Suicide 04:52

09 - Wings 03:30

10 - Another Day 02:39

11 - Send Me No More Letters 04:36

12 - It's Only A Dream (Reprise) 00:40





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Trapeze 1992 Welcome To The Real World

Genre: Rock
Rate: 224 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:59:11
Size: 94,83 MB



Holy frickin' smokes, this is one incredible one-off "reunion" shows specially recorded. Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley and Dave Holland are in fine, funk if not rockin' form. Accompanied by Asia's Geoff Downes of keyboards, Trapeze fly high from the start.

All of their well known songs are here, plus two additional ones, Homeland and Welcome to the Real World. The 2 newer ones are also featured on Glenn Hughes/Geoff Downes "The Work Tapes" CD, which released in 1991 was a collection of studio quality demos. The 2 vary much, as Trapeze perform them with actual drums and guitar that make them very good songs while on the Work Tapes they came across as light pop music. Aside from that though, this concert demonstrates the powerfulness behind Glenn Hughes voice. Anyone who was BLOWN away by his own Burning Japan Live CD in 1994 and even on the Tommy Bolin 1997 tribute release will be tickled to death to hear him on this, he is absolutly astonishing! This is the closet he comes to sounding like the voice he had in the 70's, shattering glass once again. Mel Galley and Dave Holland also shine on this. Mel's guitar playing is still good, even after years of hand problems, you'd never know it here. He even gets in a vocal shot on Midnight Flyer, giving Hughes a break in the action. Dave Holland, who drummed for the Mighty Priest almost the entire 80's , get's down and dirty on this. Him and Hughes lock in some of the tightest and nastiest funk rhythms ever heard. Geoff Downes, the unoffical Trapeze member is around. He safely stays low throughout the entire show except for the new songs and getting into the extended jams here and there.

I thought at first it'd be a bit annoying heringa keyboard in the funk sound but i was surprised just how little i heard after listening. Fans of Hughes, funk, rock, soul music should get this. Fans of Purple, Whitesnake, and Priest, this is an acquired tatse, but a delicious one at that! (cd-heaven)



Tracklist:

01 - You Are The Music... We Are Just The Band 05:18

02 - Way Back To The Bone 06:37

03 - Welcome To The Real World 05:50

04 - Coast To Coast 05:51

05 - Midnight Flyer 06:52

06 - Homeland 06:21

07 - Touch My Life 06:32

08 - Your Love Is Alright 08:30

09 - Black Cloud 07:20





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Trapeze 1972 You Are The Music … We're Just The Band

Genre: Rock
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:38:17
Size: 87,62 MB



Review by Richard Foss

Though they were best known for a kind of muscular funk rock, the band Trapeze always had a jazzy element, and on You Are the Music, We're Just the Band it is the softer tunes that stand out. This isn't to say that there aren't some good rockers here, since the title tune and "Keepin' Time" are energetic and enjoyable. However it is on "Coast to Coast" and "What Is a Woman's Role" that the band really shines. This is partly because both are really good songs, partly because both benefit from some inspired sax and vibes work from guests Jimmy Hastings and Frank Ricotti. Vocalist Glenn Hughes takes the lead on most tracks, and is very effective as long as he stays in his low range; on the rock tracks he uses his higher register, which tends to have a squealing or screechy tone.

Those who only know Hughes from his subsequent work with Deep Purple may be surprised to hear his warm, soulful work on this disc, which was his last with Trapeze.


Tracklist:

01 - Keepin' Time 03:46

02 - Coast To Coast 04:03

03 - What Is A Woman's Role 05:49

04 - Way Back To The Bone 05:35

05 - Feelin' So Much Better Now 03:41

06 - Will Our Love End 05:10

07 - Loser 04:45

08 - You Are The Music 05:21





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