Back Door - 2002 - The Human Bed

Back Door 

2002

The Human Bed

01. Vienna Breakthrough
02. Blue Country Blues
03. Captain Crack Up
04. When You've Got a Good Friend
05. Adolphus Beal
06. Human Bed
07. Fanny Wiggins
08. Walkin' Blues
09. Louisiana Blues
10. Slivadiv
11. Spoiler, The
12. TB Blues
13. Blakey Jones
14.The Dashing White Sergeant

Colin Hodgkinson (vocals, 12-string guitar, bass guitar);
Ron Aspery (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, electric piano);
Dave MacRae (electric piano);
Tony Hicks (drums).

The first two of these (from 1973), spanning nine of the 14 tracks, feature the original trio lineup of bassist Colin Hodgkinson, saxophonist/pianist Ron Aspery and drummer Tony Hicks; the final five songs, from 1974, also feature electric pianist Dave MacRae

Three complete, previously unreleased, BBC sessions. Including 4 songs which have never been issued before in any form.

Tracks 1-5 from BBC (3/1/1973).

Tracks 6-9 from BBC (5/12/1973)

Tracks 10-14 from BBC (5/9/1974)

I declare severe bias for this band and especially for Colin Hodgkinson, who remains one of the finest bass players UK has ever produced. All musicians here are excellent and the addition of Dave MacRae of IAN CARR'S NUCLEUS fame is a pleasant surprise.

This album was originally issued in 1974, containing short pieces - which is typical for the band, anyway. Admittedly, the style varies between Jazz-Rock, Blues, R&B, Avant-Prog and even some Free-Jazz. It doesn't imply a lack of direction, rather the opposite as it showcases the degree of comfort with many styles, instead.

Hodgkinson's approach to his Fender bass is an absolute highlight for me. He plays (and sings) with great confidence, often doing chord sequences with ease. That alone is worthy of attention. Frankly, Back Door is his vehicle, after all. The quirky saxes are not so easy to absorb at first and often represent the Avant-Jazz component. Nevertheless, the musicianship is great, but more of an acquired taste