Review Trapeze- Medusa (1970) ***

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Catfish

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Classic Rock Album of the Day- Trapeze- Medusa (1970) ***

There was a period on the very very late 1960's and early early 1970's that bands like Trapeze, Humble Pie, and Free got a lot of justified airplay that took the bluezzz/hard rocking sound to the mainstream... Well mainstream outside the legends, like Zep, Creme, others. Today this band is almost totally forgotten, but they put together some very competent albums in the day, that have actually aged pretty well. Admittedly, some of the album you are about to hear, does have that "Spinal Tap" sound and feel, and it really captured the feel of rock and roll of the times. Substance? Good, but not everlasting.

Maybe the biggest claim to fame of Trapeze is that one of their founders Glenn Hughes went on to bigger things later with stints with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Pretty impressive metal pedigree if you ask me. And of course Trapeze was at its best musically and creatively during the Hughes era. Including this album. Of course other members were not really slouches either as some did time with Judas Priest, and White Snake.

Yes, this is a good group, and a good album, but I really think that the collaboration of the members did not have that oomph in songwriting pizazz that propelled them to household name status. Even back then. Now though, as stated earlier, I would guess that some of you have either never heard of them, or at worst forgotten them. Too bad, and after listening to this album, I think you will see why.

Fun Fact: Album was under the Threshold Label. Threshold? Hmmm... Like Threshold of a Dream? Yes this was the Moody Blues label, and this particular album by Trapeze was produced by Moody Blues bassist John Lodge. What the hell huh?.... Yeah, the Moody's were that musically and business wise that diverse and talented. It also should be noted that Threshold supposedly almost signed Genesis early on too. Just think how that may have changed musical history.

Side 1-
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Black Cloud- Easily Trapeze's signature song, and an epic blues, rocker. Great power chordal riffing that highlighted that time of about 1970. Also has that signature raspy blues sound that you often got from (again...) Free and Humble Pie. Nice drum fills that kind of gets overlooked on it too. No telling how big Trapeze could have become, if they could have captured what they did on this tune, and translated it into an entire album, with some diverse innovation. 1

Jury- Visions of Spinal Tap.... Subdued ballad beginning blending into mediocre Black Sabbath like repetitive chording. All that was missing in this song was the 3 foot Stonehenge. Formulaic filler. 6

Your Love is Alright- Good blues number with a touch of funk. Only complaint is that seem to be recycling some licks from Black Cloud. I can see sometimes having some similarity of a few songs maybe a few albums apart. But on the same side of the same album? Come on guys, give the crowd a reason to say that all your stuff doesn't sound alike. 3

Side 2-
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Touch My Life- Band tries another approach that really has a southern rock blues feel. Nothing spectacular, but I kind of liked it 5

Seafull- You knew the band would have to include one true blues number, and this was the one. Vocals are awful, almost like a an off key Ian Gilligan. Don't know if was intentional, but not good one for the band's sound. Blues riffing is decent, but not enough to redeem any songwriting quality of it. Ugh. 7

Makes You Want to Cry- Sounds like they sampled the side melodic line from Come Together from the Beatles.... Which since this was almost the same time, I am floored they weren't dissed for it. Decent song, but at least don't take full songwriting credit for it. Does have some of Hughes best bass lines of the LP though. 4

Medusa- Starts and stops and starts as silly balladry, and maybe the worst thing 2-3 minutes Hughes ever put on vinyl. Sound does start rocking, but again seems rehashed, but rocks like hell. Kind of like the mythical Medusa, with many heads. Some awesome, some suckage. 2


 

TACdtf

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Vocals are awful, almost like a an off key Ian Gilligan.
p1102859_e_h9_ab.jpg





Seriously though, Trapeze is a huge hole in my listening experience. Might be a New Year's resolution to fix this.
I read Glenn Hughes' autobiography, and he's really not the most likeable person. Amazing the guy is alive though and he still sounds great, even though BCC is pretty generic.
 

dr wu

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Their first 2 lps are pretty good imho...have both on original vinyl.
The first is more psych rock with other elements of blues and even some folk rock. I think HUghes probably took them in the heavier direction on Medusa. I actually still play the first one at times...an interesting mix of songs that have that early Brit psych and blues and folk thing goin on from 1969.
Here's a demo that's not an either lp as far as I know,...would fit well on either lp imo.
Across the Water, Across the Sea
One from the first lp
Over

I agree with TAC above and I have never been a fan of Hughes vocals...grating at times but ok when he sings quieter. I like the Black Country Communion lps...I think they are decent heavy blues rock and the best writing and singing Hughes has done.
 
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Catfish

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View attachment 227609





Seriously though, Trapeze is a huge hole in my listening experience. Might be a New Year's resolution to fix this.
I read Glenn Hughes' autobiography, and he's really not the most likeable person. Amazing the guy is alive though and he still sounds great, even though BCC is pretty generic.
lol.... I did say Gilligan. (Gillian) Sorry for the spelling
 

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