COLOSSEUM II - Strange New Flesh (1976-2005) RM / Expanded Edition / 2CD / APE (image+.cue), lossless

 

Several years after the original art rock supergroup Colosseum disbanded, drummer Jon Hiseman formed Colosseum II, a more jazz fusion-oriented outfit featuring guitarist Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy) and keyboardist Don Airey. Their eclectic debut, Strange New Flesh, shows some impressive chops from all involved, with an emphasis on Moore's soulful guitar leads. Vocalist Mike Starr, while not an immensely engaging singer, does a nice job keeping up with Hiseman and bass player Neil Murray. Highlights include the technically showy but blissfully irreverent ode to Pink Floyd, "Dark Side of the Moog," a nice version of Joni Mitchell's "Down to You," and the funky "Gemini and Leo."  by James Christopher Monger

Tracklist 1:

1 Dark Side Of The Moog 6:22

Written-By – Airey, Moore

2 Down To You 9:10

Written-By – Mitchell

Written-By [Instrumental Section], Arranged By – Don Airey

3 Gemini And Leo 4:51

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

4 Secret Places 4:01

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

5 On Second Thoughts 7:29

Written-By – Moore

6 Winds 10:25

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

- Bonus Tracks -

7 Castles (Version 1) 11:09

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

8 Gary's Lament 7:00

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

9 Walking In The Park 7:05

Written-By – Bond

Tracklist 2:
1 Night Creeper 3:46

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

2 The Awakening 11:43

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

3 Siren Song 6:55

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

4 Castles «Version 2» 5:00

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

5 Scorch 4:39

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

6 Rivers 4:27

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

7 Interplanetary Slut 5:32

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

8 Dark Side Of The Moog «Live» 9:00

Written-By – Airey, Moore

9 Siren Song «Live» 12:13

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

10 The Awakening «Live» 15:46

Written-By – Moore, Hiseman

Credits:

Bass – John Mole (tracks: 2-1 to 2-10)

Bass Guitar – Neil Murray

Drums [Rogers Drums], Percussion [Paiste Cymbals], Gong, Timpani – Jon Hiseman

Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Grand Piano [Steinway], Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey, Mini-moog, Arp Solina], Organ [Hammond], Clavinet – Don Airey

Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Gary Moore

Vocals – Mike Starrs