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Monday, September 12, 2011

Igginbottom - Igginbottom's Wrench (1969 uk, outstanding jazzy fusion prog rock, 2009 remaster)



This is one weird-ass album, and one that will probably become better known as time goes on and more people discover that it's a very early musical document of Allan Holdsworth — he was part of 'Igginbottom's Wrench along with David Freeman on bass, Steve Robinson on the other guitar, and Mick Skelly on drums. 'Igginbottom's Wrench, their one and only album, bears about the same relationship to Holdsworth's later work that The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles & Fripp does to Robert Fripp's work, and it's curious that both albums are on the same label. 'Igginbottom's Wrench also sounds a lot like GG&F, kind of arty, theatrical psychedelia with some prominent jazz influences weaving in and out, but none of it taken seriously enough to be played or sung especially well, and it's easy to see how this recording got overlooked in 1969. 

It's mostly notable for the presence of "Golden Lakes," which evolved into "Velvet Darkness" and loomed ever larger in the decades to come. This shows Holdsworth at his least precise and pretentious, not in great form instrumentally or vocally (but not bad, either), noodling around in a less-than-formal setting and calling it an album. It's great fun and it will probably delight Holdsworth's fans, and anyone into late-'60s progressive rock or jazz/rock fusion. 
by Bruce Eder


Tracks
1. The Castle (Allan Holdsworth) - 2:55
2. Out Of Confusion (Dave Freeman, Steve Robinson , Allan Holdsworth, Mick Skelly) - 2:09 
3. The Witch (Allan Holdsworth) - 3:03
4. Sweet Dry Biscuits (Allan Holdsworth) - 2:54
5. California Dreamin' (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips) - 4:00 
6. Golden Lakes (Allan Holdsworth) - 5:12
7. Not So Sweet Dreams (Allan Holdsworth) - 5:00
8. Is She Just A Dream? (Allan Allan Holdsworth, Mick Skelly) - 4:33
9. Blind Girl (Steve Robinson) - 3:46
10.The Donkey (Steve Robinson) - 10:42

Igginbottom
*Dave Freeman - Drums
*Allan Holdsworth - Guitar, Vocals
*Mick Skelly - Bass
*Steve Robinson - Guitar, Vocals

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11 comments:

  1. trismegistosSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Ευχαριστώ Μάριε.

    ReplyDelete
  2. kobilicaSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Thank you "MARIOS".You are full of surprises-Fine album,but not for casual listener.Have a nice day...

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  3. mscmichaelSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    A, by all means, tremendous album. Thanks very much...

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  4. AnatolySeptember 13, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    You got me really curious this time, Marios! Many thanks for the opportunity to listen to this one, not-so-helpful review notwithstanding.

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  5. urosSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Another great band. When I was a youngster in the seventies never even heard about them. Really very, very tasteful. Thanks a lot Marios!

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  6. Brain PoliceSeptember 14, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Thanks for Igginbottom, Marios! A very nice album from the young Allan Holdworth.

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  7. AlexandrApril 10, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Thanks for a nice review and share.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LuGer WolfNovember 25, 2018 at 1:42 AM

    THANKS, MARIOS. AN EXCELLENT ALBUM BUT NOT FOR EVERYBODY. GREETINGS !!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2021 at 10:07 PM

    This page is a great resource.
    Thank you!

    BB from Germany

    ReplyDelete
  10. MariosOctober 29, 2022 at 9:19 PM

    "Igginbottom - Igginbottom's Wrench", Updated..

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousDecember 31, 2022 at 4:59 AM

    Greetings, Marios - Thanks for such a fine freshman album by "Big Al" Holdsworth & Co! His singing reminds me of Clint Eastwood's, say, on the "Paint Your Wagon" soundtrack. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete