Blodwyn Pig - Ahead Rings Out (1969)

Published by e-man | Filed under Blues

Blodwyn Pig - Ahead Rings Out (1969)
Blues | FLAC & mp3 (320K/s) | 242 & 86 MB | scans | BGO | 37:00
None of Jethro Tull’s progressive rock tendencies or classical influences followed Mick Abrahams into his creation of Blodwyn Pig, even with the inclusion Jack Lancaster’s sax- and flute-playing prowess. Instead, Abrahams built up a sturdy British blues-rock sound and used Lancaster’s horn work to add some fire to the band’s jazzy repertoire. Ahead Rings Out is a stellar concoction of gritty yet flamboyant blues-rock tunes and open-ended jazz centered around Mick Abrahams’ cool-handed guitar playing, but it’s the nonstop infusion of the other styles that makes the album such a solid listen. After only one album with Jethro Tull, Abrahams left to form this band, and it’s evident that he had a lot of pent-up energy inside him when he recorded each of the album’s tracks. With a barrage of electrifying rhythms and fleeting saxophone and woodwind excursions, cuts like “Sing Me a Song That I Know,” “Up and Coming,” and “Backwash” whip up highly energetic sprees of rock and blues. Most of the tracks have a hearty shot of rock up the middle, but in cuts like “The Change Song” and “Backwash,” the explosive riffs are accompanied by a big band style of enthusiasm, adding even more depth to the material. Andy Pyle’s bass playing is definitely distinct throughout each track and is used for anything but a steady background, while labeling Ron Berg’s drumming as freewheeling and intemperate would be an understatement. It’s apparent that Blodwyn Pig’s style is indeed distinct, releasing a liberated and devil-may-care intensity while still managing to stay on track, but the fact that each cut convokes a different type of instrumental spiritedness is where the album really gains its reputation. Wonderfully busy and even a tad motley in some places, Ahead Rings Out shows off the power and vitality that can be channeled by combining a number of classic styles without sounding pretentious or overly inflated. A year later, Blodwyn Pig recorded Getting to This before Abrahams left the band, and although it’s a solid effort, it falls just a smidgen short of Ahead Rings Out’s bluesy dynamism. - by Mike DeGagne, AMG

Tracks:
1. It’s Only Love (Mick Abrahams) 3:24
2. Dear Jill (Mick Abrahams) 5:11
3. Sing Me a Song That I Know (Mick Abrahams) 3:42
4. The Modern Alchemist (Jack Lancaster) 5:35
5. Up and Coming (Mick Abrahams/Ron Berg/Burp/Jack Lancaster/Andy Pyle) 5:07
6. Leave It With Me (Jack Lancaster) 3:47
7. The Change Song (Mick Abrahams) 3:48
8. Ain’t Ya Comin’ Home? (Mick Abrahams/Jack Lancaster/Andy Pyle) 6:24

Personnel:
Mick Abrahams (Guitar, Vocals and Slide Guitar)
Jack Lancaster (Flute, Violin, Tenor, Baritone and Soprano Saxophone)
Andy Pyle (Bass Guitar)
Ron Berg (Drums)

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