BEDLAM-BEDLAM-

There is no question who is in the drivers seat on this album from 1973. As Cozy Powell departed with Jeff Beck he ended up in Bedlam. This is all about Cozy´s powerhouse drumming and everybody else just has to adapt.

This is a strange album in the sense that if anybody but Cozy,( with exception from John Bonham) had played on it, it would have been a sad story to listen to. Trying to create a bluesy, hardrock album with some funky parts, feels like you´re  wearing your shoe on the other foot. Powells contribution saves the day. You want to find out what is he gonna do in the next song and that´s comforting.

The production is a bit flat although it´s Felix Pappalardi who is behind the album. The guitar sounds strained, the bass lacks of depth but the vocals gets a thumbs up.

Whatabout Cozy Powell? As I mentioned earlier this is a drummers album. It just throws out fills, rudiments and other goodies at you. Sometimes it feels like Cozy is trying to push the drumkit through the floor. Great impact and delivery. On the bad side, some of the softer songs does not help an anxious Mr. Powell.

To sum up the album it is not a total loss due to the “last day on Earth” drumming. Cozy Powells tribute to the world is really a work in progress on this record. The master´s degree would be heard on”Rising” by Rainbow.

As for an odd blues/hard/rock album it might tickle your senses but be aware; it´s a walk on the razor´s edge here, yet it could be worth buying just for the funky cover.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-4-Cheesy-Avarage-