Although some may be tempted to call multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer Jack Bruce a rock & roll musician, blues and jazz were what this innovative musician really loved.
As a result, those two genres were at the base of most of the recorded output from a career that went back to the beginning of London’s blues scene in 1962.
In that year, he joined Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated. Throughout the following decades and into the 21st century, Bruce remained a supreme innovator, pushing himself into uncharted waters with his jazz and folk-rock compositions. (by Richard Skelly)
And here´s an obscure live recording:
This is a concert recorded November 20, 1980 in Denver, CO during a tour to support his 1980 “Ive Always Wanted To Do This” LP . His backing band at this time was Billy Cobham, Clem Clemson & David Sancious.
Jack’s voice & bass playing are very good here. The reason for only 3 stars is that, with rare exception (ex. “Politician” & “Living Without Ja”) the band doesn’t really rise to the occasion, IMO. The recording is professional. This is not a bootleg. The set begins with an odd, slow jazz-vocal intro to “White Room” before morphing into what we all recognize. The next track is “Hit & Run”, which definitely dates the show with quasi-disco drum & bass playing. This is followed by Clem’s Blues Solo, which is a self-indulgent benign blues instrumental. “Theme From An Imaginary Western” & “Born Under A Bad Sign” are two other staples in this set.
Note that this CD is also available as “Alive In America”, which includes lengthy versions of both “Sunshine of Your Love” & “Bird Alone”, which are omitted on this version (same show & band line-up). Other tracks appearing are “Morning Story, Post War, Face Lift 318, Escape From Royal Wood”. “Traintime” is a short harmonica & snare drum only instrumental. The song “Dancing On Air” has backing vocals that are beyond painful. Jack has one of the most distinct & powerful voices in music. Don’t let just anyone in your band sing. Gary Moore & Eric are two exceptions who could actually compliment Jack’s voice. In short, this set offers 14 songs culled from one show in 1980. Not Jack’s finest moment, neither is it his worst. For the record, his swan song “Silver Rails” is a solid CD. Rest in peace, Jack, your music will be eternal. (George Spiggot)
I am already of the opinion that this album is a bootleg … but a good one !
Recorded live at Denver, Colorado, USA, November 20th, 1980
Personnel:
Jack Bruce (bass, vocals, harmonica)
Clem Clempson (guitar)
Billy Cobham (drums)
David Sancious (keyboards)
Tracklist:
01. White Room (Bruce/Brown) 7.29
02. Hit And Run (Bruce/Brown) 5.06
03. Clempson Blues Solo (Clempson) 3.10
04. Born Under A Bad Sign (Bell/Jones) 4.46
05. Livin’ Without Ja (Bruce/Brown) 3.37
06. Dancing On Air (Bruce/Brown) 4.39
07. Post War (Bruce/Brown) 10.23
08. Theme For An Imaginary Western (Bruce/Brown) 5.08
09. Face Lift 318 (Bruce/Brown) 5.27
10. Escape To The Royal Wood (On Ice) (Bruce/Brown) 8.44
11. Morning Story (Bruce/Brown) 1.47
12. Traintime (Bruce) 3.13
13. Politician (Bruce/Brown) 6.21
The official website:
More from Jack Bruce:
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