Nature With Dave Greenslade — Live 1972(Sweden-UK, Progressive-Blues Rock)
1972 was a transitional year in keyboardist Dave Greenslade's career. While Colosseum had just disbanded, releasing the legendary 1971 live album "Live" posthumously, he was also managing what would become his own band, Greenslade, in 1972.
Meanwhile, the Swedish band Nature was playing a remarkably high-quality heavy psych blues at the time. They were in the vein of British bands like Chicken Shack, Steamhammer, and Black Cat Bones, or the Dutch band Living Blues. Formed in 1970, their members were Par David Johnson (bass), Bosse Skoglund (drums), Lasse Wellander (guitar), and Mats Ronander (lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica). Apparently, Greenslade had enough time to join the band for a short tour in Sweden. It was broadcast on the radio back in the day and released by the Japanese label Belle Antique in their "Legendary Swedish Radio Archive Vol. 2" series in 2013. I wonder how many gems like this are waiting to be rescued from dusty radio archives around the world.
Greenslade's unmistakable Hammond organ kicks in as soon as the first notes of "Dreams" (7:39) ring out. This track belongs to the Nature repertoire and was written by the band's founders, Wellander and Ronander. Greenslade fits perfectly into the well-oiled and in-form Swedish machine. The inevitable similarities to Colosseum arise, but also to Hendrix, due to the singer's distinctive voice. The mid-track break, with its strong tango flavor, is also intriguing, as is a Dick Heckstall-Smith-esque saxophone solo that isn't credited on the CD.
"Mr. Monroe" (7:04) is a Greenslade composition, a Mayall-esque blues-rock number complete with harmonica, a spirited organ, and guitar work on par with the great British musicians of the genre. The Hammond organ is the star of the show, and it strongly reminds me of Jon Lord's blues-oriented work, particularly during his early Deep Purple days.
01. Dreams — 0:00
02. Mr. Monroe — 7:39
03. How Sweet I Roam From Field To Field — 14:33
04. Valentines Suite — 24:10
05. Stormy Monday — 31:41
Personnel:
Dave Greenslade — organ, synthesizer
Mats Ronander — vocals, harmonica, guitar
Lasse Wellander — guitar
Pär David Johnson — bass
Bosse Skoglund — drums
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