Spooky Tooth : The Island Years 1967 - 1974 : 9CD Box Set Review :Now Spinning Magazine
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
- Spooky Tooth : The Island Years 1967 - 1974 : 9CD Box Set Review
Box Sets you might have missed first time around but which you can still get!
The Island Years: An Anthology 1967-1974" is a comprehensive anthology that was released in 2015, featuring the work of British rock band Spooky Tooth. The band released seven studio albums between 1968 and 1974, all of which are included in this box set.
The box set also includes "Supernatural Fairy Tales", an album recorded by an earlier incarnation of the band known as Art.
"Each album features rare bonus material, and the anthology concludes with a full concert from April 1972, recorded in Germany. In total, there are over 30 previously unreleased recordings included in this collection.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
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I missed this video first time around - I have this set so it's always nice to see a new take on it. Great little set.
In a year (1969) of great albums, Spooky Two stands out. An absolute masterwork.
Oddly enough, I discovered Spooky Tooth through a 1969 film called "Groupies", that also featured Terry Reid, Ten Years After, and Joe Cocker. I found them to be very interesting folks. I didn't realize they toured the US that much back then, because they never had any hits over here. But they were apparently quite well known among "groupies"
Thank you for watching - they were indeed and it was the comments in the film 'Groupies' about Luther Grosvenor that worried Ian Hunter about him joining Mott.
I have a copy of that film and watched it again two nights ago. Funny how those gals in the film keep trying to insult and make jokes about Luther, yet they can't seem to stop thinking and talking about him.
Too bad the live clips of the band playing are only very brief but it still allows for a glimpse of that. They can be heard playing a snippet from Ceremony live, yet Gary Wright is still with them. I suspect his departure was very soon after this, perhaps quickly once they returned to England following this USA visit (?).
@@montag4516Yeah, those chicks were slagging poor Luther like he was some kind of third rate Jimmy Page! His manhood took a severe beating! "Oh, Pagey---he doesn't have to go searching for chicks--the chicks come to him!" Also, the song we heard a snippet of! I always wanted to know what that was! I thought it was pretty funky and cool-sounded a little like "Dazed and Confused" in a way. Thanks for that tidbit!
@@NowSpinningMagazineIs that why he changed his name to Areil Bender? 😅
Their music is a spirit of the era. What a bunch of great musicians! Island did its best with such bands Like Traffic, Free and Spooky Tooth. You couldn't find like them on other labels. Genuine British music of course.
Thank you for watching and you are right Island Records in this period we’re on fire. A family of a great bands and musicians that have shaped the lives of so many over the years. Phil :)
Surprisingly, I literally became interested in this group today and you have such a review. Thank you.
Amazing - I have have always thought music fans with great taste are drawn together - Phil :)
Great review Phil. Would love to get a hold of the vinyl set.
So would I ! Phil :)
Great band. Agree with you on Ceremony.
Thank you 🙏
I am go glad and grateful you posted this video. I have been an aware, endorsing fan of Spooky Tooth since the mid/late 1970's. I had no idea this new set was released until I saw your video here. Getting hold of quality versions of their albums on CD has always been a real challenge, with hit or miss results.
So, I've now acquired this CD box set (it arrived here this morning) and it's a thrill for those in the know. I've starting with the first disc, Art, and it sounds superior to my previous version. I expect the same pleasing sonic results from the rest of the discs as well.
Spooky Tooth 🎃.
Cheers, from the USA 🇺🇸
I bought this set and it's superb, I did buy the first two albums on vinyl and later 'You Broke My Heart' the gatefold sleeves are great like the Keef Hartley set it's just classy, nice review as always and it's made me want to play them again!😊
Hi Chris, thank you - great band and this is kind of set that Esoteric would do now. The Keef Hartley Set is also amazing. Phil
Witness is still my favorite
Hi Phil, like you I also love Spooky Two, but I do have great memories of Ceremony, as it was my introduction to Spooky Tooth back in 1972 and along with hearing VDGG (Pawn Hearts) and Beggars Opera (Act One) the same year, they all remain favourites of mine!
Thank you for watching and sharing your memories of this wonderful band - Phil
Wow, a lot of bonus tracks, book, poster and a live album that are not in the same lp box i have.
I have the box set and it is superb. It's the way a box set should be done right.
Hi Larry, your review is also excellent and I am a few years late with doing this! I bought it at the time and it was around £60 in UK money and amazingly you can still find it on Amazon over here for about £30! As you say a perfect presentation and a wonderful way to get all of these albums together with a lovely booklet and groovy poster! Phil :)
A terrific group. Mick Jones wanted to find someone who combined Mike Harrison and Gary Wright in one voice, and found that person in Lou Gramm. Harrison and Wright were Coverdale and Hughes several years early. I only found out recently that David Coverdale loves Spooky Tooth as much as Free. Maybe that's why Deep Purple tried to get Harrison to join (Blackmore said: "He wasn't interested!"). Spooky's version of Dylan's Too Much of Nothing is another definitive cover. The funny thing is that when the band reformed in '98/'99 for the album Cross Purpose, Gary Wright didn't take part, so they were really Art again! I'm not surprised Tony Iommi liked this band - they were heavy.
Hi Alex, thank you for watching but also for this really informative comment which highlighted many things I had not thought of. This video is doing really well and to think I was wondering… who else remembers Spooky Tooth! Phil :)
Thank you very much for showing this box set. One of the better UK vintage rock bands. All the albums contained here are collectables and the music goes from good to masterpieces. Art, Spooky Two are masterpieces. Last Puff comes near. For me Ceremony is excellent because I don't have any issues with concrete music and enjoy Pierre Henry sonic expression a lot. Witness is great and The Mirror is a different one in style but also a must. Spooky Two is one of those records that shows why music is an art form when everything is inspired and well played. This masterpiece is one of a kind record with rock, psychedelic rooted, soul, progressive touches, in crescendo grooves almost like a rock mantra, absolutely great lead and secondary vocals. Masterful playing. Even an uncredited Joe Cocker was on the recordings. Mike Harrison, Steve Marriott, Rod Stewart, Mike Patto - also on Mirror - and others belong to those great UK vocal players with that rough but beautiful almost negro sound that mixes the true spirit of soul and rock'n'roll equally. For me Spooky Tooth records are much better than many of the big names. An yes, much better than Led Zeppelin. Sorry but Spooky Tooth are for experienced listeners and Zeppelin are for the masses. Excuse my English. Saludos desde México.
Hi Ricardo, thank you for watching and your comment is just superb capturing far better in words what I was trying to say in the video. You have inspired me to play Spooky Two again today ! Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine your words make me feel so much good. I can only speak with very few people about the best music in the world. Don't forget that Greg Ridley was after with Humble Pie and maybe was a definitive and a great factor loss in the history of Spooky Tooth but a gain in the history of rock music in general. A bass player that push things forward with intense performances.
Spooky Tooth and Blue Cheer are 2 of the bands who basically started Heavy Metal with Deep Purple before Black Sabbath and are kinda forgotten.
Hi Phil, the band certainly deserved the box set treatment. I agree that 'Spooky Two' is a really great album. The 2006 Island re-issue is really well put together set and might be a good place to start if you are not that familiar with the band.
Thank you for watching - Phil
Thanks Phil for the review, and all the best.
Thank you for watching - Phil
Just listened to Spooky Two again. You are not exaggerating-what a fantastic album. They sound so cohesive. Loose, but not at all sloppy. The chemistry is so good that it comes off effortless. Jimmy Miller seemed to have such a knack for that as a producer. Now I need to hear the disappointing follow-up!
Maybe miss the follow up out and go to the next one!
Great overview of a very fine band - I love Spooky Tooth and its many incarnations. I only have a couple of their albums, so having this box would be a veritable cornucopia of fine tuneage to enjoy for many hours!
Such a talented band. I love Luther Grosvenor's guitar playing, and Mike Harrison's voice. I recently read an interesting article from one of the old UK music papers back in the 70's.....Ritchie Blackmore stated that Harrison was approached to be the singer for the fledgling new band Deep Purple back in the day, but Harrison declined the offer. Imagine the possibilities if things had actually worked out that way!
Hi Gary, I did not know that about Harrison being approached for Deep Purple, that would have been interesting !
@@NowSpinningMagazine Hi Phil, I have just forwarded that article to you via your nowspinning email address.
Got it ! Thank you 🙏
Hi Phil, for Me one of m'y Favorite until i die, 2,fantastics singers 1 great lead guitar, a bass player ( in the beginning) and very very excellent drummer and of course compositions of thé songs .( Favorites albums all of course !) My first was " spooky two), for the little story in the edition bough in London it was offer a gigantesque poster, m'y first holidays in England !😊❤ Thanks again Phil !🤗✋
@@jogischulz2576 Hello jogi merci a toi aussi, Thanks you too ✋🤗
Hi Jean, great to know they are one of your favourite bands! Phil
:)
picked this up for £30 off e-bay yesterday. still sealed,
Well done 👍 hope you enjoy it - Phil :)
I must cheeck this band out! I have been discovering different 60's and 70's psychedelic rock over the past 6 months and have discovered bands Love, Spirit/Randy California, Iron Butterfly, Planet Gong, Stone The Crows, Babe Ruth and now Audience - House On The Hill CD.
All great bands and another wonderful musical discovery awaits you with Spooky Tooth. Phil
I’ve loved Foreigner for years now and knew Mick Jones was in Spooky Tooth however I just never listened to them but I need to based on your video! Thank you for the recommendation!
You are welcome - thank you for watching - Phil
Hi Phil.
You're right Mate. Spooky Two should be part of every household. Preferable on vinyl, but that's the difficult part. Been looking for it for years. It weirdly enough doesn't seem that anyone have reissued it, and the price for an original pressing is ludicrous. Of course it's available on cd, but....... Naaah. Guess I just have to be patient for X amount of time. But one day I'll be victorious.
Stay cool.
All the best from Denmark.
Thank you for watching, amazingly for me , Spooky Two is the one I have on vinyl on the pink island label as well! I think it was £2 from a record fair? It is such a classic album, everything about it is superb. Perhaps someone will watch this video and think … there is a reissue opportunity! Phil :)
@@NowSpinningMagazine That would be cool. Wonder why no one haven't done it already. This would be records they could sell instead of Justin Bieber records which is stacked up everywhere because they can't get rid of the ....
Here in Denmark there's ONE copy of Spooky Two for sale - ONE. And they're askin 1877 dkr for it (251,62 euro / 216,76 British pounds). I'm considering getting a copy from ebay despite the risk of getting one that looks and sounds like it has been played with a sandblaster. I mean; Living in a third world country (when it comes to music) sometimes requires desperate measures.
Spooky Two is still one of my top tenish LP's.....and then there was Ceremony...what a disappointment. thanks for the review
I bought this when it came out but knowing the reputation of "Ceremony", I'd never listened to it until seeing your review here and stuck it on last night.
It actually had the potential to be quite a good album if all of that "Pierre Henry" nonsense wasn't thrown on top of it. If there are still master tapes where they could release a "de-Henry-ed" version, that might be worth a re-listen.
I talk about Ceremony without the electronic overdubs in my podcast with Luther Grosvenor which is due soon. Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine I will look forward to that, thanks for the info.
As a kid I grew up with the Ceremony album in our house since it's original release, so I'm accustomed to the sound effects layered on top, but... It would be a superior album if Pierre Henry would've shown more restraint and pulled it back a bit. The effects he creates are often very cool but there's just too much of it (across almost the entirety of the band's music) and mixed just too d@mn loud on top of everything. It does to somehow seem to match up with the album cover's artwork. But I suspect Mr. Henry may have had an overblown ego at the time to dominate the final mix in the way that he did.
Take note that of the extra tracks on the Ceremony disc is an alternate version of Have Mercy without any of Pierre Henry's effects overdubs. I just listened to it and the band gets cookin' pretty good, and it's telling of what he album as a whole would've sounded like without the sound effects layered on top..
Ye on discogs all the on sale for over a 100 euro the sellers are delighteed with the review
When I actually thought about doing this video I was amazed that there were so many copies around for £30- £40 even on Amazon. I paid £75 I think ? I have always loved the band and just thought everyone has forgotten them, perhaps if I do a video it will be interesting to see if anyone else has this. I am surprised how popular this video has been! Phil
That band could have been huge. When you listen to Spooky Two, they were not far behind Led Zeppelin and other great bands of that era. Too many bad choices ruined their career.
Thank you for watching - I agree! Phil
Ceremony ruined everything, Gary Wright left and even when he came back the momentum was lost , shame !
The worlds worse album is Lou Reeds Metal Machine Music , In 2nd Place Ceremony , although it’s s close run thing !
Hi Mike, I have never heard Metal Machine Music but you have convinced me to not to go near it!