Search - Mick Abrahams :: At Last

At Last - Mick Abrahams Band

Dave_42 | Australia | 07/17/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

""At Last" (1972) by the Mick Abrahams Band, is the second album that Mick Abrahams did after leaving Blodwyn Pig, and the last he would release until his wonderful solo album "All Said And Done" (1991). Mick Abrahams was a founding member of Jethro Tull, but differences between himself and Ian Anderson resulted in his leaving after their first album "This Was" (1968). From there he founded the group Blodwyn Pig, but left after two albums: "Ahead Rings Out" (1969) and "Getting To This" (1970). He then went on to release the "Mick Abrahams" (1971) album, which is sometimes considered the first album from the Mick Abrahams Band.



The style of the music is rock with jazz and blues influences. "When I Get Back", and "Absent Friends" along with "Maybe Because" are among the strongest tracks, but all of the songs are worth a listen. This album is not for everyone, but those who enjoy "This Was" from Jethro Tull and the first two Blodwyn Pig albums will probably find it worthwhile.



On this album Mick Abrahams plays guitar (including pedal steel and seven string slide) and sings. He is joined by Bob Sargeant (keyboards, mandolin, guitar and vocals), Ritchie Dharma (drums, percussion and vibes) and Walt Monoghan (bass) from his "Mick Abrahams" album. He is also reunited with Jack Lancaster (tenor and soprano sax, flute and clarinet) from Blodwyn Pig.



I consider this to be an above average album, but not enough above average to give it four stars. If you enjoy this album, then you may want to check out the any or all of the titles mentioned above. More recently, Mick has released many albums, both solo and ones he has done with a reformed Blodwyn Pig. Information regarding these can be found at the Squirrel Music website."

Love This One!

Chuck Potocki | Highland, Indiana | 10/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mick Abrahams proved that there indeed was life after Jethro Tull with his post-Tull bands Blodwyn Pig, The Mick Abrahams Band and eventually recording under his own name.



The Mick Abrahams Band essentially is Blodwyn Pig with a different drummer, the addition of a keyboardist and a name change. The musical formula is a bit different on "At Last", as Abrahams goes in a more mainstream pop direction than the blues-oriented albums he'd done previously with Pig.



About the bluesiest that Abraham gets on this album is on the opening track "When I Get Back", and flirts with jazz a bit on "Whole Wide World" and "Up And Down" parts 1 & 2. The band gets a bit folky on "Time Now To Decide" and "The Good Old Days", and lets it rip full throttle on the last track "You'll Never Get It From Me". My favorite track is the brassy, soulful "Absent Friends", which almost brings a Tower Of Power feel to it.



This is a good effort by Abrahams, but unfortunately after this album, he would take a long sabbatical from music to pursue personal business ventures, not resurfacing until 1991 with his great solo album, "All Said And Done"."