Killing Floor - Killing Floor


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Akarma Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: LP
Total Time: 47:16:00

This reissued debut LP by Killing Floor (Originally released in 1970 on the Sire label with a blood covered jail cell on the cover) is laden with imposing blues-rock by the 60's British blues band. They took blues legends influences and changed them to reflect our times much in the same way Hendrix and so many other bands did. By electrifying the blues, the music reached a young audience that was changing dramatically. The new sounds featured hard rocking long guitar solos that appealed to a young audience hungry for something different.

By supporting groups like Ten Years After and Jethro Tull on tour, this band received some attention and notoriety, nothing like the bands that they opened for, but they did make a name for themselves. This self-titled debut burns with the red-hot coals of emotion only found in righteous blues music. All but one of these tracks is an original, which proves that they were talented enough to hold their own. Singer and harp player Bill Thorndycraft had a gruff deep down-from-the-belly vocal style, similar to Alvin Lee, and he could blow the harp to give the music that earthy blues feeling that could be found in all the Mississippi Delta acoustic blues. Michael Clark was an exceptional six-string slinger that had a fire burning in his belly; you could hear it in his playing, and the rhythm section of Bas Smith (drums) and Stuart MacDonald (bass) was steadfast and true in support of his fire branded flourishes. Lou Martin added the additional elements of keyboards to give their music more texture and a modern updated sound.

This is an excellent album for a debut, and they clearly broke some ground like their counterparts the Groundhogs did during the same timeframe. This LP has an unfailing flow and liveliness that never lets up; its all mighty blues-rock played with heart and soul.


Tracklisting:
Side One: Woman You Need Love (4:47) / Nobody By My Side (4:52) / Come Home Baby (4:03) / Bedtime Blues (7:27) / Sunday Morning (1:00) / Try To Understand (2:35)

Side Two: My Mind Can Ride Easy (2:28) / Wet (0:41) / Keep On Walking (4:56) / Forget It! (5:30) / Lou's Blues (2:37) / People Change Your Mind (8:20)

Musicians:
Michael Clarke - lead guitar
Bill Thorndycraft - vocals, harp
Lou Martin ? keyboards
Bas Smith ? drums
Stuart MacDonald ? bass

Discography:
Killing Floor (1970/2002)

Genre: Other

Origin UK

Added: January 12th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 2694
Language: english

  

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