IRISH COFFEE-IRISH COFFEE-

This album was released in 1971. The band originated from Alst, East Flanders in Belgium and best remembered for the chartbreaking single “Masterpiece” from 1970.

The style of the album is described as hard/Heavy/blues rock and you might add som seasoning of prog into that recipe. The production is a bit thin but never the less good and have stand the test of time.

Guitarist and vocalist William Souffreau owns a peculiar, personal voice that sets Irish Coffee in their own legue of European rock bands at this time. Heavy influences from British grand acts like Deep Purple and Uriah Heep is unavoidable.

The other guitarist Jean Van Der Schueren makes a good impression and bassplayer Willy De Bisschop got a great groove to his playing. The most brilliant player, besides the drummer, is keyboard player Paul Lambert. A very important contribution to this Album and a hard beaten musician on the black and Whites. The songs are strong, melodic but a bit shallow sometimes. All tunes are original Writings so in that sense this is a very good debut.

Whatabout the drummer, Hugo Verhoye?? Here´s a player with fast foward technique, light striking but very consistened and some cool backbeating Always in his pocket. Very nice!! Great Dynamics in softer songs just put his playing style up a notch. Here are some things to bring on home.

Though Irish Coffee had great succes back home in Belgium and in France the never really got the big break. To bad, because this is a very good hard/Heavy/ blues album so maybe with a better producer it could have been a Belgian Blue(s) steroid album… 🙂

If you´re in for early 70´s harddriven organ rock with excellent vocals and brilliant guitar, this is an easy recommendation for you to buy. Great reissues are out there so don´t hesitate when the price is right.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

HOLOCAUST-THE NIGHTCOMERS-

Realeased in 1981 this is a true Classic when it comes to NWOBHM bands. Originated from Edinburgh Scotland they set foot in the musicscene in 1977.

This album does seem to have a rough heaviness to it that seperated Holocaust from the rest of the early Brittish Heavy/Hard rock bands. Both Metallica, Halloween and Six feet under, have paid tribute to Holocaust by doing covers from their rich catalouge.

The first time I listen to this album it´s striking how much better it would have been with proper production. Vocals are to high, guitars to low and the drums sounds like plastic trash bins. This does not take away the craftmanship in the songs. There´re very strong and the reason to continue to listen further.

Whatabout the drummer,Nick Broockie?? Well the thing that strikes you is that this is a guy who would fit perfectly as a lumberjack. With no sense of Dynamics this is nothing to bring home to your bedroom and please yourself with. As I wrote earlier this album would benefit from better producing and another drummer. That´s the weakest link, sorry to say but even Lars Ulrich stands out by comparison.

Should you get this album, do you need to buy it?? Probably not. Even if it´s a fantastic contribution of the second wave of brittish Heavy/hard rock the tip is to get it if you´re really into this kind of Music.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

HURDY GURDY-HURDY GURDY

Released in 1971 this selftitled album originated from a early setup of the band including bassplayer/vocalist Mac Macleod. An early release with”Hurdy Gurdy Man” written for the band by singer/songwriter Donovan then a friend of Mac Macleod made the band decide to try their luck in England.

By the end of 1970 Mac Macleod was replaced due to the fact that the other members was denied working permits in Britain so they moved back to Denmark and got a deal with CBS for this album.

The influence from, foremost Cream, this is an odd album that has a hard time to reach the distance. The production is very good and so is all handling of the instruments but…a good dosage of blues/prog gives you the feeling of sadness and melancholy. It never sparks up..

Pretend you are having a nice pot of tea with a friend and some danish pastry..a nice touch for a while but nothing to strave for in an ordinary day of life. A bit at the time is the medicine here.

Whatabout the drummer, Jens Otzen?? The band had a huge following in the late 60´s and much of it was for the great live performing by Otzen. Great delivery but on this album a bit cautious. Nothing that will be remembered as great playing but all in all recommended.

I can´t recommend you to buy this album due to its narrow space of Music. If you´re in to English late 60´s blues/hard/prog music this is a cool chance to digest other experiences.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-