Colosseum : Elegy : The Recordings 1968 - 1971 : 6CD Box Set - Review | Now Spinning Magazine
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- Опубліковано 22 січ 2025
- Colosseum with the "Elegy: The Recordings 1968 - 1971" box set - Pioneering jazz-rock fusion
A 6CD boxed set that celebrates the seminal work of Colosseum, recorded during their golden years from 1968 to 1971. This remastered collection includes their groundbreaking albums: 'Those About to Die Salute You,' 'Valentyne Suite,' 'The Grass Is Greener,' 'Daughter of Time,' and the electrifying 'Colosseum Live.' Each album showcases the band's innovative blend of jazz, rock, and blues, which not only defined a genre but also marked an era.
Founded by drummer Jon Hiseman, Colosseum brought together the talents of saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, bassist Tony Reeves, vocalist James Litherland, and the legendary keyboardist Dave Greenslade. Their unique sound was later enriched by guitarist Dave Clempson and vocalist Chris Farlowe, creating some of the most innovative music of the late 60s and early 70s.
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Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
Hello Phil. 'Daughter of Time' was my Xmas present in 1970. It was the first Colosseum album i heard and that's perhaps the reason why it remained my favourite album of theirs. A well-structured conceptual piece about the swift passing of time (indeed !) with recurring musical motifs and ending on what i consider to be the best drum solo ever recorded. An underrated album. What a highly skilled band this was !
A couple of years later i saw Jon perform with Colosseum II over here in Belgium and witnessed a 10 minute plus drum solo. Those were the days !
I wish they would do a box set of Klaatu! They truly do a great job at box sets! The sound quality is always great!They certainly take great care in mastering everything to the best they can get!Long may they do this!
Audio quality of these discs is just superb ❤
Hi Phil - great review! As regards BBC recordings by Colosseum, there is already a 6 cd box set (Transmissions - LIve at the BBC) - and its awesome!
Thanks for this, just played 'Valentyne Suite' for the first time & loved it. It is very early for mystical prog/fusion music,, 'The Inner Mounting Flame' was still 2-3 years later from this, & even that is an early fusion album.
Another band I missed back in the day. Born in 63 and didn't really awaken musically until the mid 70's and by then I was caught up with KISS, Zeppelin, Genesis, Yes etc. I bought this set and so far I am quite impressed. An interesting combination of jazz, prog and blues rock. I think I prefer the 2nd lead singer (can't recall his name), more powerful. But really enjoying "discovering" these early 70's prog bands that I had never heard before. I am sure I thumbed over these albums hundreds of times in record stores back in the day, but never heard any of this stuff before now.
Great that you are getting into Colosseum. The band formed out of the line-up of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers that recorded the 'Bare Wires' album of 1968, with Mick Taylor (later of the Rolling Stones) on guitar. Below is a link to a track. There is also an extended live version on UA-cam.
Colosseum actually had three singers. Guitarist James Litherland, then guitarist Clem Clempson (came from Bakerloo, went on to take Peter Frampton's vacated spot in Humble Pie) and then Chris Farlowe, who is the 'more powerful' voice you refer to, at which point Clempson provided backing vocals. Essentialy it is Litherland on 'Those About to Die' and 'Valentyne Suite', Clempson on 'The Grass is Greener' (except 'Elegy'), then Farlowe for the rest.
Farlowe was renowned in the UK prior to joining Colosseum. His band the Thunderbirds included guitarist Albert Lee (later w/Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris etc.), drummer Carl Palmer (later w/Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster, ELP, Asia), and organist Dave Greenslade, a founding member of Colosseum (and who invited Farlowe to join). Farlowe was one of Jimmy Page's first production projects, but it was with Mick Jagger producing that Farlowe had his biggest hits, 'Out of Time' and 'Ride On'. Here is a track from the Jagger sessions with Palmer drumming and Page as one of the gutiarists. It too is a Stones tune.
ua-cam.com/video/-CIqx9wIQQU/v-deo.html&ab_channel=PaintItBlackTV
@@wayneblanchard97 - Whoops, I forgot to include the Mayall track with Mick Taylor. Mayall is on rhythm guitar and vocal, Colosseum founder Jon Hiseman is drumming, Taylor shines on riffing and the killer solo whilst another future Colosseum member, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith sits this one out.
Worth noting that Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith had previously been in the Graham Bond Organisation which at times included Ginger Baker, John McLaughlin and Jack Bruce. When Baker quit to form Cream, Hiseman was enlisted. Hiseman would later record Bruce's first two solo albums, the jazz instrumental 'Things We Like' (recorded first, released third), which included also Heckstall-Smith and McLaughlin, and the first album to be released, 'Songs for a Tailor' which included Chris Spedding on guitar and even drummer John Marshall on a couple tracks, one of which, 'Rope Ladder to the Moon', Colosseum would include on their 'Colosseum Live' album.
Mayall with Taylor: ua-cam.com/video/zsOlo93ZUao/v-deo.html
James Litherland was the lead singer and lead guitarist on the first two albums. He actually wrote Elegy.
So I just listened to Valentine Suite courtesy of you tube and I was , to quote the common parlance of the day , blown away .
I , like many , am thrilled to hear organ driven pop , rock , blues , jazz , progressive music such as this 😂
Again I get back to the packaging.
I think Colloseum deserve a much more considerate treatment of their works .
Astounding music 😂❤
Bland packaging & presentation 😢
Having said this I am seriously thinking that this may be my next purchase 😂❤
God bless Phil
Greetings from Western Australia
Thanks for the insight, Phil. All good to know!
Cheers!
Thank you Phil for your review. Before ordering, I said to myself, maybe Phil has done a review: Eureka, a good one !. So just ordered the box set. Probably this one won't last long on Amazon shelves or any other store. I agree with you, and I would say original sleeves is mandatory for this type of boxsets. Like Rarebirds box (bought after reading your review), Steppenwolf, etc.. Have a nice day from Québec.
Phil, Thanks for the review ! Good day from the U.S.A.
Good stuff as always Phil. I have been thinking about this set. Do I or don't I? I am already in possession of most of the bands output both on CD and original vinyl. Like you I would have liked to see a little more imagination in the packaging but it is often down to costs. 'Valentyne Suite' remains my go to album and so I am intrigued by the 'Grass is Greener' set, so I will probably indulge myself. A Colosseum II set would be brilliant. Legend has it that the late great Gary Moore said it was the best band he had ever been in.
On the fence with this one for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Very occasionally Esoteric will drop the ball and unfortunately this is the latest of them. A pity as Colosseum deserve great packaging and sharing those TV and radio recordings out there with us. Would be great if they also released the complete Colosseum II. Different but that was fantastic jazz-fusion!
A 6CD set "Transmissions Live At The BBC" was released by Repertoire in 2020.
Great review Phil thank you I will be picking this up I was waiting to see if you would review this box set I buy my box sets based on your faithful honest reviews fantastic job Phil please keep them coming and will look foreword to the next review thanks -- Anthony ( NYC)
Thank you 🙏
@@NowSpinningMagazine you are welcome Phil thank you -- Anthony
I do not know who you are (NSM) and I did not hear any from this band previously but after this review listened to some tracks and have ordered this box set for listening upcoming weekend.
Hope you enjoy it - Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine Yes I do! Have been listening since yesterday and have also ordered three more live albums. The hammond organ sound sometimes reminds me of the very early Deep Purple. Could Mark II of this band be intesting? Think I will find out in comming days...
I want to agree with Phil Aston, that the album *Valentyne Suite* by mighty *Colosseum* , done in 1969, sounds as well amazing as timeless in 2024! The Suite itself might be one of a few crossover compositions between rock and classical composing style that fits and works, maybe above all because it is played only by rock instrumentation. The production sounds amazing, even for todays standards. The more *The Kettle* , beginning with a killer riff, should be seen as one of the first catchy but concise and complexe rock-metal songs ever done, pushed forward by Jon Hisemans punchy and fluid drumming style. It also reminds to the production style of Hendrix and Eddie Kramer, especially the double guitar lines, that interweave the song. *Elegy* sounds far ahead of its time, *Butty's Blues* and the short suite *The Machine Demands a Sacrifice* round up this masterpiece. Underrated by far!
One of my fav albums ever!
Yes indeed
I got the Esoteric versions of the albums. From 2008 ish
meanwhile i bought the box
already all the albums on cd
just for my collection 😊👍
Just picked this up on eBay for £34!
🤩🥰👍
So sad to think of Dick , Jon and Barbra .
Well...I was looking at getting the box set as an all-inclusive, less space consuming roundup. But now? I realise the label's reluctance might stem from costs and the anticipated limited demand for such a release. Still, even if the live album was a double pkg. I would have jumped for it.
This is a perfect example of a company developing its brand to a point where it prompts high expectations from its audience. Then fails to deliver. Compromise or carelessness?
As for the improved audio: as a longtime player in bands my hearing is unlikely to notice the difference.
And yes, the cover for the live album is horrendous. Once again, someone else letting the band and the fans down. True, it has become somewhat iconic, but as you note, front and back coveres to nothing to suggest what is inside the package. I gag everytime I look at it, knowing that it contains one of the most exciting and best-recorded live rock sets ever put to disc.
You mention BBC recordings. There is the band's 6-disc 'Transmissions: Live at the BBC'.
You sound very underwhelmed Phil
Phil Esoteric drop the ball with one. I think as you could have been much better, Shame on you guys it's going to take a lot to gain my respect again. To save a few dollars they ruin a good box set. If you are the best start acting like and don't cut corners to save a buck. People we see and remember and take their bushiness some where else.