Colosseum
The Grass Is Greener

THE REVIEW

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.