[2017-07-28] Colosseum "Those Who Are About To Die" and "Valentyne Suite" Remastered And Expanded Editions (Esoteric UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2017 6:34 pm

Those Who Are About To Die Salute You

Description
Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a newly re-mastered & expanded edition of the classic debut album by Colosseum “Those Who Are About to Die Salute You”.

Colosseum came together in 1968, the brainchild of virtuoso drummer Jon Hiseman and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith (who had played together in the Graham Bond Organisation & John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers). Teaming with bass guitarist Tony Reeves and keyboard player Dave Greenslade, the line-up of the band was completed with the recruitment of guitarist and vocalist James Litherland.

Recorded in the winter of 1968, “Those Who Are About to Die Salute You” was a stunning debut album and was one of the first successful attempts to fuse jazz, blues and rock. Featuring such classic tracks as ‘Walking in the Park’, ‘Beware the Ides of March’, ‘Those About to Die’ and ‘The Road She Walked Before’, “Those Who Are About to Die Salute You” reached number 15 on the UK album chart and remains a seminal album in the development of what would be known as Progressive Rock.

This Esoteric Recordings release is newly remastered and includes three bonus tracks recorded at Pye studios in London in November 1968. The release fully restores the original album artwork and features an illustrated booklet with new essay.

Tracklist
1. Walking In The Park
2. Plenty Hard Luck
3. Mandarin
4. Debut
5. Beware The Ides Of March
6. The Road She Walked Before
7. Backwater Blues
8. Those About To Die
Bonus Tracks – Recorded At Pye Studios, London, November 1968:
9. I Can’t Live Without You
10. In The Heat Of The Night
11. Those About To Die (Demo)

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LTPFMM/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071LTPFMM/?tag=imwan-21

Valentyne Suite

Description
Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded edition of the classic 1969 album by COLOSSEUM, “Valentyne Suite”.

Originally released in November 1969 housed in a striking sleeve designed by Marcus Keef, “Valentyne Suite” was the first release on the Progressive imprint VERTIGO and spent nine weeks on the UK album chart, peaking at number 15. The album featured the “classic” Colosseum line-up of Jon Hiseman (Drums), Dave Greenslade (Organ & Vibes), Dick Heckstall-Smith (Saxophones), James Litherland (Guitar, Vocals) & Tony Reeves (Bass).

“Valentyne Suite” is arguably the finest album by the band, featuring such outstanding tracks as ‘The Kettle’ (with a distinctive riff later sampled by Fatboy Slim), ‘Elegy’ and ‘The Machine Demands a Sacrifice’ (with lyrics by Pete Brown). However the album’s focal point was the three part ‘Valentyne Suite’ which earned the band critical praise and is now regarded as a milestone in early Progressive Rock.

This newly re-mastered and expanded reissue includes a bonus track of ‘Tell Me Now’ (recorded at Lansdowne studios in April 1969) and a bonus remastered CD of the US and Canadian album “THE GRASS IS GREENER”, released on the Dunhill label in 1970. The album featured some material featured on “Valentyne Suite”, albeit remixed and featuring new member Dave “Clem” Clempson (Guitar, Vocals), who replaced James Litherland in the group. The album also featured a series of songs unreleased in the UK such as ‘Jumping Off the Sun’, ‘Lost Angeles’, ‘Rope Ladder to the Moon’ (written by Jack Bruce & Pete Brown), and a version of Ravel’s ‘Bolero’.

“Valentyne Suite” remains one of the band’s seminal releases, a fine combination of rock, jazz and blues.

The Esoteric Recordings edition also features a booklet that fully restores the original album artwork of both “Valentyne Suite” and “The Grass is Greener” and features a new essay.

Tracklist
[CD1: “Valentyne Suite” Re-Mastered & Expanded]
1. The Kettle
2. Elegy
3. Butty’s Blues
4. The Machine Demands A Sacrifice
5. The Valentyne Suite:
I. January’s Search
II. Theme Two – February’s Valentyne
III. Theme Three – The Grass Is Always Greener
Bonus Track – Recorded At Lansdowne Studios, London 22nd April 1969:
6. Tell Me Now

[CD2: “The Grass Is Greener” US & Canadian Only Album Released In 1970]
1. Jumping Off The Sun
2. Lost Angeles
3. Elegy
4. Butty’s Blues
5. Rope Ladder To The Moon
6. Bolero
7. The Machine Demands A Sacrifice
8. The Grass Is Always Greener

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072JGGF9K/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072JGGF9K/?tag=imwan-21

Kid Bailey · 16 Jul 2006

"The Grass is Greener" was my introduction to them. I'm glad they will be releasing that album.

[2017-07-28] Colosseum "Those Who Are About To Die" and "Valentyne Suite" Remastered And Expanded Editions (Esoteric UK)

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