[2019-05-17] Goddo "Goddo", "Who Cares" and "An Act Of Goddo" Collector's Editions (Rock Candy UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:30 am

Goddo

Description
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio / Features the hit singles 'The Bus Driver Blues', 'Hard Years' and 'Under My Hat' / 16 page full colour booklet - 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos and new interview with Greg Godovitz.

There's something quite compelling about Goddo. Like Max Webster, they enjoyed a reputation as one of the most magnetic and quirky Canadian hard rock bands operating in the late '70s. Employing an off-kilter psyche and a penchant for the absurd, Goddo's high octane brand of tough-guy rock was further enhanced by some of the most amusing lyrics of the era. The man mostly responsible for this intriguing direction was bassist and main songwriter Greg Goddovitz. Like a contemporary court jester his brand of wit and wisdom cast an exceptionally warm glow on the Canadian music scene, even if the content failed to secure huge commercial rewards. As a former member of seasoned Canadian rockers Fludd, he departed that band to create a brand new vehicle following his own vision; melodic hard rock with enough leeway to include quirky detours. Although primarily a supercharged high octane power trio, they also included elements of jazz and crushing blues rock. Godovitz together with drummer Doug Inglis and guitarist Gino Scarpelli set about recording their debut album in Montreal, unleashing one of the most striking Canadian debut albums of all time. Issued in early 1977, and housed in a superbly illustrated gatefold cover, the album kicks off with 'The Bus Driver Blues' - a lyrically hilarious track written about the band's previous drummer who left the group to drive a school bus. Other tough-nut rockers include 'Drive Me Crazy', 'Let That Lizard Loose' and 'Hard Years'. Of course the jewel in the crown is the jazz tinged 'Under My Hat', a song complete with truly memorable hook and menacing vocals from Greg.

Tracklist
1. The Bus Driver Blues
2. Drive Me Crazy
3. Let That Lizard Loose
4. I'm Losing You
5. Let It Slide
6. Twelve Days
7. Under My Hat
8. Hard Years

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QJ768N3/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QJ768N3/?tag=imwan-21

Who Cares

Description
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio / 11 Bonus Tracks / Features 'Tough Times', 'Cock On', 'Sweet Thing' and 'Too Much Carousing' / 16 page full colour booklet - 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos and new interview with Greg Godovitz.

We've said it on numerous occasions before but Canadian rock has always offered up something quite unique and impressive. We don't know if it's something to do with the water supply or that their musicians' brains are wired differently, but Canadian recordings are, more often than not, overflowing with a depth of complexity that dwarfs similar acts from other countries. It's a strange phenomenon for sure but entirely true and Goddo are no exception to that rule. Formed as a crushing power trio during the mid-seventies, led by polymath Greg Godovitz on bass, the band quickly rose to prominence on their debut album; laying down a foundation of meaty riffs and intriguing songs laced with acerbic lyrics and the sort of wit that still raises a chuckle. But let's not for one moment suggest that Goddo were a comedy act; far from it. The serious musical assault and intense lyrical delivery suggests a band with a keen eye on the bigger prize. '...WHO CARES...', recorded in Toronto, and issued in 1978, showcases a band on the move. Whilst their debut album made a firm case for pummelling hard rock, '...WHO CARES...' lays down the law in similar fashion but also pushes the envelope, introducing more complex arrangements and acoustic parts, like the cello accompaniment to 'Tough Times'. But if it's meat and potatoes rock that you desire look no further than 'Cock On', 'Too Much Carousing' and, their could have been hit single 'Sweet Thing'. This album is one of the cornerstones of Canadian rock, make no mistake.

Tracklist
1. Tough Times
2. Cock On
3. You Can Never Go Back Anymore
4. Drop Dead (That's Who)
5. Sweet Thing
6. There Goes My Baby
7. Oh Carole (Kiss My Whip)
8. Once Again
9. Too Much Carousing
Bonus Tracks:
10. Tough Times (Orchestral Dub)
11. Greg Discusses Who Cares
12. Once Again
13. Sweet Thing
14. Tough Times
15. There Goes My Baby (7" Edit)
16. Drop Dead (That's Who)
17. Too Much Carousing (Instrumental Dub)
18. Greensleeves
19. Hitchcockian Outtake
20. Zombat Greeting

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QCW49GV/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QCW49GV/?tag=imwan-21

An Act Of Goddo

Description
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio / Features 'So Walk On', 'Anacanapanacana' and 'Chantel' / 16 page full colour booklet - 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos and new interview with Greg Godovitz.

The great thing about the record business during the 1970s was the fact that labels allowed bands to develop organically, often over several albums. For those of us with an interest in more obscure acts it provides a great education and Goddo were no exception. A predominantly hard rock, Canadian, power trio whose musical growth was spectacular, chomping their way through crunchy blues-based rock tracks and introducing some highly refined twists and turns such as horns and even an orchestra. 'An Act Of Goddo', is the culmination of the band's insatiable appetite for pushing the envelope. Recorded and mixed not in their native Canada but this time in Orlando, Florida, the music is enhanced by a choice selection of tracks, written with one singular intention, to astound the listener. Produced, once again, by Thomas Morley-Turner (actually a pseudonym for band leader Greg Godovitz) the record benefits from some terrific tracks, including tough nut rockers such as 'So Walk On', 'Take Care', 'Work It Out' and arguably the band's greatest song, the English/French lilting ballad 'Chantal'. Most spectacular however is the opening, and closing, instrumental 'Anacanapanacana', a musical palindrome performed by the Florida Symphony Orchestra consisting of a mash up of melodies found on the rest of the album. It's a great introduction and one that sets up - and ends - the rest of the record perfectly. There's no question that this was Goddo's finest hour, leading us to one singular conclusion, that they were one of Canada's best kept musical secrets.

Tracklist
1. Anacanapanacana
2. So Walk On
3. Chantal
4. You're So Cruel
5. The Verdict's In
6. Sign On The Line
7. Rosie (Just Hang On)
8. Take Care
9. Work It
10. Anacanapanacana

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QCW4841/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QCW4841/?tag=imwan-21

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:45 am

Bump: All pre-order links in the first post are now active.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

What a great band, nice to see these getting the reissue treatment.

[2019-05-17] Goddo "Goddo", "Who Cares" and "An Act Of Goddo" Collector's Editions (Rock Candy UK)

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