Bakerloo
Bakerloo

The Bakerloo are a London-based group formed in '68, taking inspiration for their name from an underground line. We are faced with one of the most intriguing legends of the lesser-known progressive English scene.

The lineup is a guitar/bass/drums trio composed of Dave "Clem" Clempson, guitarist but also vocalist and keyboardist, Terry Poole on bass, and Keith Baker on drums. The band's style is a fine example of the fusion between the white blues clichés and the classical prog temptations of that period. The self-titled album released in 1969, the first and last for the band, features seven tracks, quite interesting for the inspired offering, even if not always very original, see the good bluesy performance of "Bring It On Home". The opener "Big Bear Ffolly" is a blender of frenetic notes, suspended halfway between blues and jazz. The third track ("Driving Backwards") presents a reinterpretation of Bach's Bourée, reminiscent of the Jethro Tull's interpretation.

"Last Blues" is a slow prog, very slow, but very slow, until two and a half minutes in, where it wakes up and emerges vigorously from the slumber it had drifted into, with an engaging solo, unleashed from the talent of Clem Clempson, only to fall asleep again two minutes later, this time until the end of the piece. Also noteworthy are the underground blues of "Gang Bang", the blues of "This Worried Feeling", and the long improvisation on the edge of free jazz in "Son Of Moonshine".

Ultimately, it is a tense and compact album with a strong sonic impact, which was very well received by the critics. It is a pity that the band lasted such a short time: after the album's release, Clempson accepted the invitation to join Colosseum, while Poole and Baker moved on to May Blitz.