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Rating: The album I will talk to you about, ladies and gentlemen, is Medusa by Trapeze, a group formed in the early 70s that included names like Glenn Hughes (The Voice of Rock and bassist), Dave Holland (former drummer of Judas Priest), and Mel Galley (Whitesnake).
The music proposed by the group is a mix of hard-rock, funky in some moments, and blues (especially Glenn's voice, very raw in the singing but very expressive) which, however, often reminds of the early Judas Priest songs, in short, the more rocking ones (those of Sad Wings Of Destiny or Sin After Sin, for example - both published after this album).
The explosive energy of this trio lies in the relative simplicity of the songs, yet played with incredible taste.
Mel Galley's guitar is so 70s (often a tribute to Led Zeppelin) and does an excellent job both on the electric and acoustic level, Glenn's bass work is remarkable, often tending to funky (a genre that, as is known, he appreciates a lot), but perfectly in tune with the group's music and Dave Holland's simple but effective beats.
Mr. Glenn's vocal work, a young man at that time, is fluctuating. In this record, you can notice the singer's inexperience, today a great, and influences of past black music singers (Otis Redding, Al Green, etc.) are evident; moreover, I've often noticed an incredible similarity sometimes with Mr. Halford.
The group's best achievements are certainly songs like Black Cloud, the funky Your Love Is All Right (still often proposed live by Glenn Hughes: it can also be found in Live in South America, present in the special edition of his solo album R.O.C.K.), in which the group creates a wonderful amalgam, so full of energy that you won't be able to resist the driving rhythm and the cheerful spirit of the track, very, very 70s (perhaps you might even want - what do I know - to watch an episode of the legendary Starsky and Hutch and dress in flared pants and low-rise waist and a Hawaiian shirt... I understand you but try to keep it together, we are in the 21st century unfortunately... or fortunately...); Seafull a song that with its atmosphere seems to drag us, lull us, and let us abandon ourselves in a comforting sea (Mel's work on the guitar is wonderful and Glenn's dreamy and desperate interpretation is excellent); and Medusa, the killer track of the album.
Finally, the very innovative artwork (cubist-style paintings) by Phil Travers is remarkable.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Black Cloud (06:13)
No time to stop, keep on movin'
The whole world is to see
No time to think of things that I am missing
Wherever I go
Black cloud's following me
Each and every town
I'm father's last relation
Doing what I can just to eat
Never 'wanna settle down
I ain't got the patience
Wherever I go
Black cloud's following me
I'm a citizen of no where
The sky's above my head
I wonder where the grass grows
Looking through the sunshine
'Til my judgement day, my judgement day
Wherever I go
Black cloud's following me, yeah
Oh, it's following me around
Don't leave me be
No time to think of the things that I am missing
I've got to keep on moving along, babe
You know I can't settle down, or I'd be dead
Come, come, come here
No time to stop, keep on movin'
'Cause all the world is to see
No time to think
The thing that I am missing
Wherever I go
The black cloud's following me
I'm a citizen of nowhere
The sky's above my head
I wonder where the grass grows
Looking through the sunshine
'Til my judgement day, my judgement day
Wherever I go
Black cloud's following me
You know it's following, following, following me
Never let me go
Keep on moving
We have got to make it
We are going to take it, yeah
We are going to take it I am not 'gonna make it
Never talk to a rich man, yeah
07 Medusa (05:42)
MEDUSA (Hughes) You're bound to think I'm on the shore From a sea that never came Now's the time to find the time I've done what has to be done Voices call the nameless one Crying all of the time Tales of no one in my sleep Stepping out into the night Heard you said you saw Medusa The one with the head of fire Heard the legend of Medusa Lies in the devil's sighs I've got myself to blame Through talking to your brother Too late to say I'll stay Too late to say I'll bother Take out your thorn and speak Afraid you are to keep Flailling forces fail Now wake before you sleep You said you saw Medusa She was looking down on you But the legend of Medusa Soon be with you You're bound to think I'm on the shore From a sea that almost came There's no time to find the time I've done what has to be done I've done what has to be done I have done I have done I have done I have done I have done I have done I, I, I have done what has to be done Now I've got to find a way home Take a good look at my face There is no more
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