Crabby Appleton - Go Back The Anthology (Grapefruit Records)(2023)(2-CD)

 

This disc contains the output of Crabby Appleton. Crabby Appleton was led by vocalist/guitarist Michael Fennely, who also served as the main songwriter for the band. Crabby Appleton released two albums in the early 70s, Crabby Appleton, released in June 1970, and Rotten to the Core, released in October 1971. The band basically broke up by the end of 1972. Crabby Appleton's signature song is Go Back which is a great pop song. The rest of the first album contains other great melodic songs that would make any pop music collector want to have it in their collection. The second album was more "classic rock" and blues-based. Not a bad thing but I felt it missed some of the finer melodic pop moments of the first album. In addition to both full albums, this box set includes demos and single versions. Worth getting. Great liner notes that tells the story of the band.

Kossoff - Back Street Crawler

I am late to the band Free. Free is the band that contained Paul Rodgers on vocals (pre Bad Company) and Paul Kossoff on guitar. This album from 1973 (after Free) is a fine blues rock album. The first side is one long, glorious instrumental called Tuesday Morning. The second side has more songs and some vocals by Jess Roden and Paul Rodgers. Highly recommended for those into that classic blues rock from the 70s. As usual, Kossoff's guitar playing is superb. Very melodic as well. Take a listen.