You find the darndest things in back alleys...
WaltSnipe | Austin, Tx United States | 06/19/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Like many before me, I suspect, I stumbled on the existence of this band because the great artist Roger Dean drew one of their album covers and included it in his first compendium "Views." The rule of thumb has proven to be about 95% accurate so far--Dean cover=good music. This album is by far the best thing that Gravy Train put out. Interesting instrumentation, strong lead vocals, lyrics that don't violate the Trite-O-Meter--all are made to serve the needs of the songs, which are well-conceived. This album has that early 70s British feel common to rock bands that were (at the time) reaching out for something new and were given the freedom by the record companies to see where the pursuit led. Compared to their earlier releases, Gravy Train was really over-acheiving on this album. Their previous recordings suffered from spotty musicianship (especially the wind instrument playing, which is unlistenable on those efforts!), and the songs did not really work. Staircase to the Day functions as a tribute to the synergistic power of the collective band mind when it all comes together, if only for a short time, in the studio. Don't bother with their other recordings, but don't let them scare you off of a real diamond in the rough. Listen to the heartfelt vocals and arrangement of "Bring My Life On Back To Me" (looking at the morning after nuclear armegeddon through the eyes of a child), and the rocking wah-guitar on the closing jam "Busted...", and experience that good feeling you get when you take a chance on a recording and are immediately rewarded."
The best from Lancashire
David Horban | Now in Scotland | 10/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album was the last one recorded. In my view it is not the best. The previous ones are far better. But nothing is like the real thing. If you ever saw them or spent time with them as I did, you would understand. Norm, Les, and George, put together a song in a dingy hotel room in London (in about 5 minutes)called 'Mrs.K.Linker' I still remember it to this day. It was never recorded but as you can imagine from the title, it was a bit dirty. Good fun though.
Could anyone tell me if Gravy Train are still together? I lost touch with them in 1974 when I left UK but now I have returned and would like to contact them or at least get to know where they are playing next.
Please email me with any news. dave@bfg-online.com"
Their most accomplished work
alan parkinson | St Helens, UK | 01/21/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I live in the home town of this band and saw them live five times at the time of their album releases, and knew a couple of the members casually. By far the best concert was upon the release of this album which opened with a LOUD Starbright,Starlight as does the album. I go to concerts regularly and Gravy Train ranks up there as one of the best (without lasers and fancy lights). Staircase to the Day is a more polished and professional product than their earlier albums which could have and should have been taken further. They explore different styles, from the all out rockin' jam of "Busted in..", to more peaceful ballads (Ballad of a Peaceful Man being an earlier album) like Bring My Life On Back To Me. This track is not about a nuclear war but about the troubles in Northern Ireland and has a similar chord structure to the intro of Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd only with considerably more feeling. Norman Barrett holds everything together with his highly emotive guitar work and powerful vocals, and this, along with the keyboards which replaced the flute and sax of the other albums, makes Staircase.. a showpiece for one of rock's smaller gems."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1