GOING GAGA FOR GREENSLADE
Given that we are some way into an excellent programme of reissues by Esoteric in expanded format of Greenslade’s classic four-album run from 1973-1975, is it not time for
Prog to give this band the attention it deserves?
As I remarked to the proprietor of Trading Boundaries during their recent Roger Dean Exhibition, I bought their second album, Bedside Manners Are
Extra, solely on the strength of the brilliant cover art. Fortunately, the album was a delight. Subsequently, I bought all of their albums, and the following two Dave Greenslade solo albums.
The band did not receive the megasuccess of some of their peers, making the Top 30 albums with Spyglass Guest, their third album, and have been perhaps rather overlooked in the pantheon of classic prog. Musically, their pedigree was impeccable, with the band featuring ex-members of Colosseum and King Crimson, and their twin keyboard and no lead guitar format was unique. Dave Lawson’s somewhat hoarse to falsetto vocal style was also very distinctive. This was backed up by the superb bass playing of Tony Reeves, not stylistically dissimilar to Chris Squire. Just listen to his fantastic playing on Mélange from their first album. He was replaced by Martin Briley for their fourth album, Time And Tide.
Dave Greenslade followed up with albums in a similar style: Cactus Choir and the slightly bonkers The Pentateuch Of The Cosmogony. The band did reconvene in 2000 for Large Afternoon,
with a line-up featuring Dave Greenslade and Tony Reeves.
A critical review of their career and albums, and the Dave Greenslade solo albums, featuring interviews with band members, would be most welcome.
Nigel May
Hopefully you picked up Prog 95, Nigel – it includes a four-page feature on Greenslade! Time And Tide is also reviewed on page 110 of this very issue… – Dep Ed.