Greenslade are one of the great British progressives that is often overlooked in light of the usual heavies, but this third and final 70’s release isn’t their best.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Greenslade
ALBUM: Time And Tide
LABEL: Warner Bros
SERIAL: K 56126
YEAR: 1975
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Dave Greenslade – keyboards * Dave Lawson – keyboards, vocals * Martin Briley – bass, guitar, backing vocals * Andrew McCulloch – drums * Barry Morgan – timbales * Ann Simmons, Jill MacIntosh – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Animal Farm * 02 Newsworth * 03 Time * 04 Tide * 05 Catalan * 06 The Flattery Stakes * 07 Waltz For A Fallen Idol * 08 The Ass’s Ears * 09 Doldrums * 10 Gangsters
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
One of the great British progressives that is often overlooked in light of the usual heavies, ELP, Yes and Genesis, Greenslade was formed by ex-Colosseum keyboardist Dave Greenslade and bassist Tony Reeves.
With the addition of vocalist/keyboardist Dave Lawson and former King Crimson, Crazy World Of Arthur Brown drummer Andrew McCulloch, Greenslade recorded three incredible keyboard rich progressive rock albums before Tony Reeves left the group to join Curved Air. His replacement was none other than GD fave Martin Briley and with his addition to the group a noticeable change in the Greenslade sound.
The Songs
This isn’t exactly my favourite album from the band. I’ll give that prize to their second mind blower ‘Bedside Manners Are Extra’ followed closely by the debut which belongs in every prog collection worth its salt. ‘Time And Tide’ I’m not so hot on it for a variety of reasons starting with the move towards a progressive pop sound much like Procol Harum and Supertramp.
An odd statement coming from a reviewer who loves that particular movement, era and sound, but this record lacks the songs to put it in the pantheon of great prog pop. Obviously geared towards American radio there’s plenty here that should have hit the airwaves including the opener ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘The Flattery Stakes’.
I’m particularly fond of ‘Waltz For A Fallen Idol’, yet even these tracks are second rate and Lawson’s voice sounds like he’s reaching just a little too far and is a painful listen in spots. Much better are the instrumentals especially the mellotron drenched ‘Catalan’ harking back to the more familiar and successful Greenslade brand of prog rock.
In Summary
A U.S. tour with German technocrats Kraftwerk followed but it wasn’t enough to keep the group together and Greenslade split a short time later. In 2000, Dave Greenslade resurrected the band name with a new line-up and studio disc ‘Large Afternoon’ which is best forgotten. Why did he bother? In closing, special mention should be made for the stunning Patrick Woodroffe ‘Time And Tide’ cover art which to say the least is spectacular, its just too bad the music isn’t.
Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
