Charge – Charge 1973 (UK, Heavy Progressive Rock)

Charge – Charge 1973 (UK, Heavy Progressive Rock)

Some treasures take a while to reveal themselves. When South Coast-based underground heavy rock trio Charge decided to record a 99-copies-only demo album at the beginning of 1973, sadly it failed to set in motion a chain of events that would culminate in fame, fortune and all manner of rock star excess. Instead, the album was ignored by the major record companies to whom copies were sent. Though they never recorded again, the band continued to play the local live circuit for a further couple of years before calling it a day after the tragic death of their drummer, Pete Gibbons. That terrible event seemed to represent the final chapter in the brief and highly obscure Charge story - just another local rock band who'd achieved a measure of regional popularity, enjoyed some good times and been left with numerous fond memories, but were destined to remain completely unknown by the wider world.


Another forgotten single-album band. The lineup includes some serious players. For example, Alan Spenner and Neil Hubbard—both from The Grease Band and Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs—went on to play in Kokomo and Roxy Music, and also on the original Jesus Christ Superstar album. Ric Grech—from Family, Traffic, and Blind Faith—went on solo and into KGB. But the album wasn't a big deal, released in a very limited edition and correspondingly selling out. The album cover is the cover of Leo Tolstoy's Sevastopol Tales, and the music is dedicated to the Crimean War of 1853-1856, only here the perspective is from England and the British.

Tracks:

01. Glory Boy - 0:00

02. To My Friends - 4:04

03. Rock My Soul - 9:13

04. Child Of Nations — 13:01 including:

a) Soldiers
b) Battles
c) Child Of Nations


Personnel:

Smiley De Jones - percussion
Ric Grech - violin, guitar, bass
Ian Green - keyboards
Rosetta Hightower - vocals
Neil Hubbard - guitar
Alan Spenner - bass
Godfrey McLean - drums
Lee Van Der Bilt - vocals, percussion
Mike Woods - guitar