Green Bullfrog (1971)

[Magic]

Green Bullfrog (1971)
UK Blues Rock
MCA Records in UK / Decca in USA

Members

• "Speedy" (Ian Paice) – drums
• "Sleepy" (Chas Hodges) – bass
• "Bevy" (Tony Ashton) – piano / organ
• "Sorry" (Matthew Fisher) – piano
• "Boots" (Ritchie Blackmore) – guitar
• "Pinta" (Albert Lee) – guitar
• "The Boss" (Big Jim Sullivan) – guitar
• "The Vicar" (Rod Alexander) – guitar
• "Jordan" (Earl Jordan) – vocals

Green Bullfrog - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Green Bullfrog was a studio project of musicians put together by Producer Derek Lawrence (Deep Purple’s producer) to come up with a “jam” album. They used pseudonyms for names because at the time this album was recorded all the members were under contract with other bands.

This project was not successful but if you look at the list of names, most went on to be a success in other bands. Most songs on this album are blues covers, but there was some original material:

Bullfrog (written by Blackmore, Paice & Lawrence)

“Bullfrog” has Blackmore, Sullivan, and Lee trading off / on solos….truly a magical piece of music. From my reading, this song was done improvisational, and that makes it very special.

Full Album

 

[E-Z]

I once had a cd copy of the album back in either the late 80s or early 90s but sold it anyway I recall seeing a vinyl copy of the album (possibly on purple vinyl?) way back in the early/mid 1980s in a London second hand record shop but I didn't buy it then regretfully plus the album has always been a very rare album to find in the UK. The main reason for it's interest and value is of course of Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore's participation on the album that makes it worth having for Deep Purple & Blackmore fans alike.

 

[Ethan49]

green bullfrog was the idea of producer derek lawrence who assembled a group of musicians with whom he had worked in the 1960s.Guitarist albert lee had been working with Lawrence as a session player, and the original idea had been to record with former Screaming Lord Sutch bassist ony Dangerfield.However Ton the sessions did not work out, so the pair decided to invite other session musicians and Sutch alumni and record a studio jam;-)

 

[Magic]

I once had a cd copy of the album back in either the late 80s or early 90s but sold it anyway I recall seeing a vinyl copy of the album (possibly on purple vinyl?) way back in the early/mid 1980s in a London second hand record shop but I didn't buy it then regretfully plus the album has always been a very rare album to find in the UK. The main reason for it's interest and value is of course of Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore's participation on the album that makes it worth having for Deep Purple & Blackmore fans alike.

While I was researching the album, I read that the original vinyl pressing in the UK was 500 copies, and I believe you’re right about the purple vinyl. The original would be vary rare and I would imagine quite pricey, too.