Atomic Rooster

A Classic History Of Atomic Rooster

Three-CD anthology focusing on their early-70s and early80s material. Atomic Rooster have been a band of muchshifting lineups. Carl Palmer was with them initially, and Ginger Baker was even a member for roughly a fortnight. Their sole constant until his death in 1989 was key board player Vincent Crane, formerly with The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, while guitarist/vocalist John Du

Cann (aka John Cann) joined and quit twice.

This curious, somewhat perfunctory anthology focuses on the version of Atomic Rooster with Crane, Du Cann and drummer Paul Hammond (all now dead). Or so the brief sleeve notes say; in fact the third disc consists entirely of out-takes from Homework, the album of unreleased demos recorded by Du Cann between 1979 and 1981, adding significantly to the Du Cann bias of this collection.

The early 70s were very much Atomic Rooster’s time, scoring hits with Devil’s Answer and Tomorrow Night, prime examples of the heavy-duty riffery of the day. Sometimes the interplay between the trio is almost ostentatiously deft and acrobatic, as on Head In The Sky, although just as often they’re ponderous and uninspired, as if wishing it could be perpetually 1971. Crane’s Hammond playing is mellifluous and atmospheric, hinting at potentially interesting new shapes and directions as on Death Walks Behind You, but too often gives way to the hard-driving imperative and salacious snarl of Du Cann’s guitar and vocals.

It’s a shame this collection doesn’t do more justice to the overlooked wider facets and history of the group.

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david stubbs