Atomic Rooster - Nice And Greasy


Year of Release: 2001
Label: Akarma Records
Catalog Number: AK178LP
Format: LP
Total Time: 39:53:00

Nice & Greasy is an appropriate title for this album. Not only was the familiar progressive rock sound in place, the soulful and funky vocals of Chris Farlowe continued to influence their sound as it did on Made In England. Although their sound was getting more blues influenced it continued to progress despite the changes. It was indeed absolutely nice n' greasy, albeit maturely.

This is the fifth Atomic Rooster album I have listened to and I have experienced great pleasure doing so. What I found attention-grabbing and entrancing was listening to the various incarnations of the group with the incredible keyboard player Vincent Crane steering the Rooster ship. His Hammond B-3 organ was ever present and always influential in the final outcome of each song, with this album being no exception to that rule.

"Voodoo In You" is a shining opportunity for new guitar player Johnny Mandala to show his wares, and he really seizes the moment by giving Crane some great biting chords to wrap his spirited keyboard playing around. "Take One Toke" leads off side two in a big way. It's the best track on the album, combining the strengths of each band member effectively and mightily without any compromise. Crane was never one to negotiate his music in any way, and this final effort for this lineup gave their fans another classic Atomic Rooster LP to covet and cherish for the years to come. Personally, I think this version of the group was the best, mainly because of Chris Farlowe's vocal prowess. He added so much soul and heart to the group. What I found so remarkable is that they kept their core sound intact while going with the flow of changes smoothly, which in turn kept the old fans happy and gained new ones along the way. This music always leaves me wanting for more. Thanks to these great reissues, the interest in the group has be enlivened and they have got the kind of respect and reverence that they always deserved.

Originally released in 1973 on Dawn)


Tracklisting:
All Across The Country (5:05) / Save Me (3:15) / Voodoo In You (7:05) / Moods (4:23)

Side Two: Take One Toke (4:58) / Can't Find A Reason (4:25) / Ear In The Snow (6:12) / What Ya Gonna Do (5:20)

Musicians:
Vincent Crane - keyboards
Johnny Mandala - guitar
Chris Farlowe - vocals
Preston Hayman - drums

Discography:
Atomic Rooster (1970)
Death Walks Behind You (1971)
In Hearing Of Atomic Rooster (1971)
Made In England (1972)
Nice 'N' Greasy (US title: Atomic Rooster IV) (1973)
Assortment (1974)
Home To Roost (1977)
Atomic Rooster (1980)
Headline News (1983)
The Best Of Atomic Rooster (1989)
Devil's Answer (1989)
The Best And The Rest Of... (1989)
The Devil Hits Back (1990)
The Best Of Vols 1 & 2 (1993)
BBC Live In Concert (1993)
The Best Of Atomic Rooster (1994)
The Best of Atomic Rooster (1996)
In Satan's Name - The Definitive Collection (1997)
Resurrection (2001)
The Best Of (2003)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: March 9th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Artist website: www.atomic-rooster.com
Hits: 2306
Language: english

  

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