'Greasy Truckers Party' - Various Artists (Caroline)
Mike Reed | USA | 03/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Superbly produced 3-CD expanded reissue of the legendary Greasy Truckers Party - of the first one that took place on February 13, 1972 at the London Roundhouse. Disc one is the complete set by Man, which is a fine audio document although it's pretty similar to their live 'Padget Rooms' disc. Disc two is of the one and only space rock pioneers Hawkwind with their (then) ground-breaking performance of the real head-swirling "You Shouldn't Do That", "Paranoia" (off the band's self-titled first album), Bob Calvert's top-of-the-line recital "Earth Calling", their only million seller "Silver Machine", "Born To Go" and one of Nik Turner's true mile stones - a jamming version of "Brainstorm". If you assume that you might not want this 3-CD box set because you already own copies of 'Space Ritual', 'Empire Pool Wembley' and '1999 Party-Live At Chicago Auditorium' - think again! If you're a Hawkwind completist (like myself) you need this show simply because it appears to have different instrumentations, a few various arrangements, etc. here and there on several songs. Disc three is Brinsley Schwarz, featuring Nick Lowe (Graham Parker, Rockpile) playing their usual set of British pub rock. For some reason, I simply couldn't get to much into this band. Nonetheless, this 3-CD box set is a must-have. Look around enough and you should be able to find it at a good price."
Tales from the British underground and supporting the miners
Junglies | Morrisville, NC United States | 01/05/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album was originally a double vinyl LP intended to raise funds for the Greasy Truckers, an organisation who's origins are lost in the midst of time to me. It contained performances from the live event, most notably Man and Hawkwind but also with Brinsley Schwartz, and it could be said that it was a relatively major underground hit.
Man had released a CD of their performance a few years ago but it is only now where we are able to enjoy the whole shebang interupted as it was by a power cut caused through a dispute between Prime Minister Ted (teeth) Heath and the National Union of Mineworkers. Rolling power cuts were the order of the day across the country and entertainment events such as my own Jingles Wednesday Explosion at the mecca in Sunderland were curtailed at most inconvenient times. In the end, Heath blinked first, the government backed down and that event began a chain of events which culminated in the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979.
However, back to the music. It is great to have this expanded set available once again not only for the superb 23 minute Spunk Rock which opens the album for Man but also for the hint of the power of Hawkwind's live performance although the mixing leaves a lot to be desired on their set. Brinsley Schwartz at first seem to be the odd band out here with their affable and easy going pub/indie rock but they are the perfect foil for the other two bands and later matured into one of the most accomplished and professional bands in Britain before their demise.
However, as a live album this may not be perfect but it is an accurate reflection of a dramatic evening filled with incident where the three bands, ably assisted by DJ Andy Dunkley, took those in attendance to a higher plane, all in a good cause.
What no video?"
Astounding.......
Ashley Brownlow | West Texas | 03/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
".....astounding that there are so few reviews for this astounding gig. I initially purchased this for the Hawkwind set and ended up liking the whole event. Three very different bands, but, three great performances, and, for 1972, a great recording too. Now,"Space Ritual" is a well produced live album, but this performance by Hawkwind has an ambience, and a life, all of it's own; compelling stuff from start to finish; a sense of completion; a sense of fullness; a sense of being it's own animal, so to speak. So...where are the rest of you Hawkcritics? It's time this gig was given it's due and put up there with the best that are available."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1