Stan Webb was in the blues band Chicken Shack, but decided to form Broken Glass after playing with blues band Savoy Brown. The new band formed with Robbie Blunt on guitar, Rob Rawlinson on bass, Mac Poole on drums, and Miller Anderson on guitar.[2][3] The EMI record label backed the band’s debut album, simply titled Broken Glass (1975, Capitol Records), which was produced by Tony Ashton. Lack of promotion limited the album’s sales, and the band split up. Webb later re-formed Chicken Shack.
Broken Glass was reissued on compact disc in 2005 on the Progressive Line label. (by wikipedia)
After the split of Chicken Shack and a very short period in whixch Stan Webb played with Kim Simmonds` Savoy Brown (where he met Miller Anderson), Webb decided to open a new chapter in his career. He didn´t want to do a reunion of Chicken Shack, so he start a new group called “Broken Glass”. He teamed up with Robbie Blunt (ex-Bronco) and Miller Anderson and recorded the more or less very unknown “Broken Glass” album.
After Chicken Shack disbanded in 1974, Stan Webb briefly joined Savoy brown for the Boogie Brothers album and some live gigs. Shortly afterwards Stan decided to found a project called Broken Glass. Away from the blues standards this super band recorded a great album of rock music, with different influences from all the band members. Along with Stan the great guitarists Robbie Blunt and Miller Anderson, with a tight rhythm section composed by Mac Poole and Rob Rawlinson.
The album opener is Standing on the Border, a catchy melody with alternate vocals from Stan and Miller, followed by It’s Alright, a softer number penned by Stan with very good guitars work in it. Then Keep Your Love ventures in different territories, reggae echoes along with typical Stan vocals on top.
Can’t Keep you Satisfied is a rough rock blues number, with harder and softer moments, brilliant. Jersey Lightning close side 1 and it’s an acoustic number, short and direct. Side 2 opens with It’s Evil sang by Miller Anderson and with its roughness it recalls the famous Evil from Howlin Wolf. Ain’t No Magic is more experimental stuff, with a filtered voice, and very good bass and guitars licks.
Crying Smiling is a come back to more traditional rock, catchy melody. Take the Water opens with a fade in, this song was played by Stan in his recent live gigs, another classic number. The closer is Broken Glass, another acoustic number with no drums or bass.
The band did some live gigs in 1975, and recorded only this album. (by Ghost Train)
This is a good album featuring Miller Anderson (Keef Hartley Band), Stan Webb (Chicken Shack), and Robbie Blunt, formerly of Silverhead, who later turned up during the early 80’s playing with Robert Plant.
With a three guitar attack, these guys had a great heavy blues rock sound. I would have thought this band would have gone on to bigger and better things, but due to managerial problems, the band eventually called it a day.
All the songs on this album are great rockers, and should be part of any respectable record collection, right alongside the likes of; Ten Years After, Humble Pie, Savoy Brown, Cactus, etc.
But one song, ‘It’s Evil’ puzzles me. Most people will recognize this song as a well known blues standard, along with being a song Cactus did on their album titled Restrictions. Only they called it ‘Evil’, and gave credit to one C. Burnett for writing this classic, though Broken Glass credits ‘Robbie Blunt and Stan Webb’ as the writers. In case you’re wondering, C. Burnett is none other than the great Howlin’ Wolf. (Doc_Smiley)
This album is one of the most satisfying Stan Webb recordings, because he found a new way to express his style of Blues-Rock. Just listen and you know what I mean.
The album was produced by Tony Ashton !
Personnel:
Robbie Blunt (guitar)
Mac Poole (drums)
Rob Rawlinson (bass)
Stan Webb (guitar, vocals)
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Miller Anderson (guitar, vocals)
Tony Ashton (keyboards)
Tracklist:
01. Standing On The Border (Webb/Alexander) 3.39
02. It´s Alright (Webb) 3.38
03. Keep Your Love (Webb/Blunt) 4.40
04. Can´t Keep You Satisfied (Webb/Blunt) 5.18
05. Jersey Lightning (Webb) 1.52
06. It´s Evil (Webb/Blunt) 3.46
07. Ain´t No Magic (Webb/Blunt) 5.13
08. Crying Smiling (Webb/Blunt) 3.52
09. Take The Water (Webb/Alexander) 5.40
10. Broken Glass (Alexander) 2.29
Miller Anderson in his own words: “I was brought in to help on the “Broken Glass” album, and wrote under the name “Alexander”: more contract difficulties! It was a great band but we had poor management. So it all fell apart… It was a real shame! “
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