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Rating: The grass is greener. The grass is greener. Especially that of the neighbor, which is undoubtedly always greener than yours. Especially if your "neighbor" is on the other side of the Atlantic, smiling, holding in his hand the 33 rpm of Valentyne Suite released the previous year. Instead, in 1970, as an American, you find yourself with a similar record, with an almost identical cover, featuring a beautiful lady wrapped in a silk drape forming a flowing dress, in the prairie where huge candelabras grow. Simple writing: Colosseum - candle - The Grass Is Greener. It seems like a jest. Half with one lineup, half with another.
We find "old" songs, such as Elegy, a refined jazz rock, with flute and a great vocal performance by guitarist-singer James Litherland; Butty's Blues, another monstrous composition by the same Litherland, the classic blues where Dave Greenslade indulges with his magical keyboards; The Machine Demands Another Sacrifice, once again with Dick Heckstall-Smith's flute and Tony Reeves' monumental bass serving as pillars in this colossal interpretation.
Listening then to the "new" compositions, you convince yourself that all things considered, this album has nothing to envy from its European half-brother. Almost nothing. If not for that damned Valentyne Suite, here in an alternative version, not quite in line with the immensity of the original piece. A real pity. But the Colosseum cunningly renamed the former suite (which here lasts only 7:35 minutes) with the name of the third Theme in the British version, The Grass Is Greener indeed, even removing the "Always", as if to cover up the trick. But you noticed it, of course, because you're not stupid.
Bad thoughts are immediately swept away by the cheerful melody of Jumping Off The Sun, with its introductory bells and the relentless drumming of leader Jon Hiseman that gives no respite even during the good singing of the chorus. Lost Angeles, a good play on words, is another stratospheric composition, rich in rhythm changes, with the new entrants Clem Clempson (ex Bakerloo, guitar) and Chris Farlowe (voice) well integrated into the band. Rope Ladder To The Moon is the nighttime version of Jumping Off The Sun, if we can define it that way, with the same upbeat atmospheres. Bolero is a jazz-prog-rock reinterpretation of Ravel, where, among Clempson's various guitar virtuosos, Tony Reeves' powerful bass line stands out.
An album of exceptional value therefore, despite the distortion of the Valentyne Suite. Nothing is taken for granted and all musicians are in great shape. Therefore, American, keep this record tight, because over 35 years later, the record you have in your hands is not only a great testament to a particular phase of Colosseum, not just a rare and intriguing discographic hybrid, but it is a rarity of non-negligible sentimental (and commercial) value. Now it's available in a double version, to displease no one: Valentyne Suite + The Grass Is Greener. Take that European "neighbor," who laughed until the advent of the CD, only to end up with a 33 rpm that compared to yours today isn't worth a fig.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Lost Angeles (05:31)
The truth that I sing
And the words that I bring
Are all meant for you
The trees they are full
And the minds they are bare
And this time I care.
Everyone has a car
But they won't travel far
Nobody here has the sunshine like I have.
Sad sad town, sad sad town
In the burning desert
Shanty town, shanty town,
Shanty town of the millionaire
A man will awaken one morning
Alone in the big brown gras
A millionaire alone in the burning desert.
Here am I alone in this city
Ain't that a pity
I just want to leave
And get away from Lost Angeles
Earthquakes and smog
Are driving me out of town
I don't want to be here
I don't want to be around
Take me away if you please
I do not want to live in Lost Angeles
I don't want to live here
Just want to get back home
I don't want to be here any more
I want to be on my own
Take me away if you please
Get me away from Lost Angeles.
03 Elegy (03:10)
Baby, don't you leave me in this world alone
We'll go and see somebody
Who won't shake his head and moan
Doctors can do anything,
It is said, today
I'll do anything, I'll even pray
but don't you leave me alone like this
I couldn't stand it without your kiss
so don't go
Don't you go.
Well, there must be something
that will cure you true
Is there anything that I can do
I just can't stand it
without your living breath
but all that's left for us
Is your certain death
but baby don't you go
I couldn't face the world alone
so I'll follow you
I'll follow you.
To the ends of the mountains
I'll tread a path
just to hear once more
your fragrant laugh
I'll swim great rivers,
and I'll swim the seas
I'll do anything, anything to please
so well go together and face the things to come
I'm not afraid
there, that's done.
04 Butty's Blues (06:44)
Woman I can't stand it
How you look at others the way you do.
Please don't do me wrong
because I'll never forgive you.
Well, I just want to love
Love you my who life through
I'm tellin' you.
People tried to tell me
How our love was doomed from the very start.
I wouldn't listen
but soon I know youre gonna break my heart.
Why would you leave me
Why not believe me
How much I love you
I'm tellin you now.
How many moments of pain
Have passed through my life.
Since I've met you baby
My world has been filled with strife.
So stay no longer
my love will go stronger without you
my love will go stronger without you.
05 Rope Ladder to the Moon (03:44)
You asked me to a party
to a house just by the moon
You gave me silver loving
the end was all too soon
You asked me to the theatre
in a place quite near the sun
You gave me golden sunbeams
you act was all in fun
Rope ladder to the moon!
You asked me to a meeting
in a cottage in the snow
You gave me central heating
I can't forget the glow
You asked me to a weekend
down by the stormy sea
You took me to a ceremony
and the sacrifice – was me!
You asked me to a stromcloud
up near the rainbow's end
Then you threw away the ladder
and gave me to your friend
You took me to a prison
and you said its chief was me
Then you locked me deep inside you
and thew away the key
Rope ladder to the moon!
07 The Machine Demands a Sacrifice (02:50)
When the night wind cries on the Bloodred feathers
Containers groan as they come together
And the loaded roadsigns they point to never
Don't let it sleep
Don't let it fall asleep
When seagulls cry from the powered drains
Computers call back from the hearts of cranes
And the Tanks of Tigers prowl through the brains
Don't let it sleep
Don't let it fall asleep
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