Bedlam - Live In Binghampton 1974 (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock
Label - Angel Air Records

Track listing:
01. I Believe In You
02. The Beast
03. The Great Game
04. Set Me Free
05. Interview
06. The Fool

BONUS TRACK
07. The Beast (remix)

"BEDLAM were one of the hardest working rock bands of the early 70’s and they released one studio album, performed hundreds of gigs across UK and Europe and one USA tour from which this album was recorded in New York in 1974. The band was on the cusp of success but COZY POWELL’S success with his solo single “Dance With The Devil” effectively killed off the success the band had worked so hard for. DAVE BALL had left PROCOL HARUM where he replaced Robin Trower back in 1971 to form Bedlam. In the future FRANK AIELLO would work again with Cozy Powell in HAMMER. Included is a bonus track which is a newly remixed version of a track from the original Bedlam album."

Well first let me just say that considering the age of the live recording on offer here it is stunning!
Here Bedlam, a band that were truly on the verge of greatness, are captured at their absolute live best! Great songs that are on a par with anything released by their contemporaries such as Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Cream, even the mighty Black Sabbath!
A truly remarkable recording presented with great linear notes by a lable that has a habit of un-erthing and releasing these lost gems!


Rating - 10/10

Bedlam - In Command 1973 (2012)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock
Label - Angel Air Records

Track listing:

TRACKLISTING

01. I Believe In You
02. Hot Lips
03. Putting On the Flesh
04. Sarah
05. Drum Solo / Seven Long Years
06. Mother in Law
07. The Fool
08. The Beast
09. Set Me Free
BONUS TRACKS
10.Dance With The Devil

MUSICIANS

DAVE BALL, COZY POWELL, DENNY BALL, FRANK AIELLO

"In 1973 COZY POWELL joined up with the Ball Brothers (DAVE and DENNY) (Dave had just left PROCOL HARUM) and Frank Aiello (TRUTH) to form BEDLAM (the ultimate rock band) whose debut album was released in 1973. The world was their oyster and they performed in Europe and USA to much critical acclaim. A review in Melody Maker from 12th May 1973 said "A perfect blend of big band experience and unquestionable talent are going to make the all-star British band Bedlam, very big indeed"

A highly successful tour of USA (with BLACK SABBATH), then the band crashed and burned. Ironically it was success that lead to the band breaking up. Cozy Powell had released a drum tune called "Dance With The Devil" which was released on Mickey Most's RAK label. Bedlam were offered a deal with the RAK label to produce pop music singles with Cozy fronting the band. This is not what Bedlam were designed for.

By 1974 the band split though following on from Cozy's UK number 3 Hit single "Dance With The Devil" which features as a bonus track on this release as the only known Bedlam recording of that song recorded for USA TV Show Midnight Special (recorded on 4th February 1974)

"Bedlam In Command 1973" was recorded live in front of an audience at Command Studios, London 22nd October 1973 principally as a promo recording for the USA."

This album captures the magic of what was Bedlam in full flight, an I for one are extremely grateful to Angel Air Records for releasing this album and allowing me to hear the majesty of this band, as I wasn't even born when it was recorded!

The album captures the sound of a band that were truly alive, in a gig that must have been amazing.
Well worth checking out!

Rating 10/10