Search - Colosseum :: For Those Who Are About to Die We Salute You

Colosseum's first album

kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 11/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Colosseum's first album. It had a different cover when released in the US.



There have been many CD versions of this album (as is typical for UK progressive rock bands). I have a remastered version with bonus tracks. The original album was 8 tracks and just at 40 minutes long. With bonus tracks, that CD is 63 minutes. This CD lists 2 additional tracks(for a total of 16). But, I am wondering if that is valid. The 2 extra tracks appear to be repeats of 2 other bonus tracks.



I don't think the bonus tracks make this worth buying if you already have another version of this. The only bonus track of value is "I Can't Live Without You", which is a good addition to the CD. It is a rocking blues tune in line with the rest the CD. I think that the rest of the tracks acutally bring down the level of this CD. Two tracks are just other versions of "Beware the Ides of March". One of them is called "Whiter Shade of Mayall". These 3 tracks are instrumental versions of Procol Harem's "Whiter Shade of Pale". It is probably the worst piece on the CD and you get it 3 times. There are two live versions of "Walking in the Park" taken from BBC shows. They have the annoying BBC DJ introduction and they are shortened "single" versions of the song.



By law, only so much of BBC radio content can be prerecorded (probably pushed the radio performer unions). So, there are many, many archival BBC live performances. Some of them are quick run throughs of "hits" to sell an album (as is the case here). The group Caravan did it right. They created an album of unique BBC performances and edited out the BBC announcers.



The sound quality of the remaster is good, but it is a little thin and on the high end.



The CD comes with a booklet describing the history of the band and musicians up to the point of this album. However, it is almost impossible to figure out who is actually playing on this album.



Colosseum was a blues/jazz oriented progressive rock band. This album is more blues oriented than later albums. Also, like many band's first albums, this one is a little unfocused. But, it does have some very good tracks on it and none of them are bad.



The thing I like most about this CD is that vocalist Chris Farlowe had not yet joined the band. I was never a fan of his over the top vocal style. James Litherland who plays guitar on this album and is the lead vocalist is not a great singer. His vocals are a little subdued in parts. However, he isn't bombastic like Farlowe.



Colosseum was around for 3 years. It was started by session players. Some of the members played with John Mayall (as did Eric Clapton and the original members of Fleetwood Mac). The drummer, saxophonist and keyboard player were in the band from the begining. The bass player and guitarist changed after about a year and 2 albums. The group broke apart. The drummer formed a British progressive jazz band called Colosseum II. The last version of Colosseum reunited and played concerts in the 1990's.



Colosseum's second album was entitled "Valentyne Suite". It was released in the US with the same cover, but a different title "The Grass is Always Greener" and with some different tracks."