On paper, Widowmaker seemed no different than many mid-'70s British groups stitched together from their imploded rivals' ashes. Guitarists Huw Lloyd Langton and Ariel Bender (born Luther Grosvenor) had played in Hawkwind and Mott the Hoople, respectively. Singer Stephen Ellis was familiar from his Love Affair days; Daisley, from heavy-hitting rockers Rainbow; and Nicholls, from progressive folk band Lindisfarne. Such varying pedigrees couldn't fail to produce distinctive music, and this album is staggeringly diverse. The emphasis is on gut-busting blues-rock, as exemplified by "Such a Shame," "On the Road," and "Ain't Telling You Nothing," which also make effective use of tempo changes. Bender is the main songwriter, but he also dabbles in bumptious soul funk ("Shine a Light," complete with gospel-style vocal backups), plus folk-pop, too ("Running Free"). Langton's "Got a Dream" is another nice surprise, being a relaxed acoustic blues that naturally closes out the album. Ellis' contributions are less engaging: his "Leave the Kids Alone" is overwrought enough to beg for a fascist government's ham-fisted retort, and his strangled vocals wear thin after awhile. Still, even the missteps are delivered with conviction, and the depth of talent here is impressive. Save this album from a dollar bin if it pops up. by Ralph Heibutzki
I Disagree With The Reviewer...IMO Shine A Light Sounds Quite A Bit Like Early Spooky Tooth As Well As Some Other Titles Have That ST Vibe, After All, As The Reviewer Fails To Mention Luther Grosvenor Was A Founding Member Of Spooky Tooth.
Not My Rip, Although I Do Own The Vinyl
1. Such A Shame
2. Pin A Rose On Me
3. On The Road
4. Straight Faced Fighter
5. Ain't Telling You Nothing
6. When I Met You
7. Leave The Kids Alone
8. Shine A Light On Me
9. Running Free
10. Got A Dream
6 comments:
http://www.mediafire.com/?j852q29xqqj7e13
Thanks for the Widowmaker. I've heard about them but never heard them.
Ariel/Luther also has some good solo stuff available!
And the tune When I met You is worth the price of this alone! I still have the vinyl as well!
Thanx for sharing!
Al
Yea, saw them @ the Agora in the 70's. Good stuff
I have the vinyl as well. One of these days when I get all the pieces in place & figure out what I'm doing with post rip processing I'll have TONS of vinyl rips to post.
Somehow this band had passed me by, even though I've been a fan of Spooky Tooth since the early 70s - thanks!
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