Ah yes, the fabled Leaf Hound. Many have spoken of this mythical record in the most glowing terms. But is all the hype true? Only you can decide that, but I am going to add my 2 cents to the debate.
The late 60's London blues scene is where it all began. It was a bubbling cauldron of blues that would become the new rock. Cream and Hendrix. Free, Zeppelin and Jeff Beck. And right in the middle of it all, a band called Black Cat Bones that boasted at one time or another as members, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke, who later started Free, and Rod Price who became a member of Foghat. Black Cat Bones alums Peter French, Stuart and Derek Brooks, Mick Halls, and Keith Young formed Leaf Hound. Peter French later replaced Rusty Day as the singer for the American rock behemoth Cactus(on the 'Ot and Sweaty album), and also later sang with Atomic Rooster. The lone Black Cat Bones recording, Barbed Wire Sandwich, is a hard and heavy blues romp. Sticking closely to blues forms, like Free's first, Tons of Sobs, it was also looking to the future, with some heavy electric guitar riffing, especially on songs like Chaffeur and Save My Love, which believe it or not always makes me think of the nasty gut punch riffs of Church of Misery. It is not, however, fully realized heavy rock. Like I said, it is very much a straight ahead blues record in form.
The late 60's London blues scene is where it all began. It was a bubbling cauldron of blues that would become the new rock. Cream and Hendrix. Free, Zeppelin and Jeff Beck. And right in the middle of it all, a band called Black Cat Bones that boasted at one time or another as members, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke, who later started Free, and Rod Price who became a member of Foghat. Black Cat Bones alums Peter French, Stuart and Derek Brooks, Mick Halls, and Keith Young formed Leaf Hound. Peter French later replaced Rusty Day as the singer for the American rock behemoth Cactus(on the 'Ot and Sweaty album), and also later sang with Atomic Rooster. The lone Black Cat Bones recording, Barbed Wire Sandwich, is a hard and heavy blues romp. Sticking closely to blues forms, like Free's first, Tons of Sobs, it was also looking to the future, with some heavy electric guitar riffing, especially on songs like Chaffeur and Save My Love, which believe it or not always makes me think of the nasty gut punch riffs of Church of Misery. It is not, however, fully realized heavy rock. Like I said, it is very much a straight ahead blues record in form.
Man, check out dude's wicked vest!
"Freelance Fiend"
"Freelance Fiend"
2 comments:
"Freelance Fiend" has become as permanent in my mind as "Black Dog." It's one of those heralded underground classics.
Better production, though? I don't think it would have been as powerful a record. It's that messy, raw bass sound that makes two of these tracks to me. The intro to "Drowned My Life" is about as heavy as they come, and the cerebral thumping of "Stagnant Pool" is like an all-bass-guitar version of "Communication Breakdown."
So I gotta disagree with your opinion on production. But great review, and great music.
Some say the UK band Orang-Utan was the better one-album cult classic. I disagree. Maybe you can post to give us your two cents?
I'm right there with you on Freelance Fiend and Black Dog. I get your point about the production. I mainly just wish the guitars were a bit thicker and heavier because the riffs kill.
I think I will do an Orang Utan review. There are a few killer tunes on that album, but I wouldn't put it above Leafhound.
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