Going solo in 1971 and then forming his own eponymously named band, Mick Abrahams showed how different his music style was from the route taken by Jethro Tull after his departure following This Was.
Essentially turning towards the jazzier side of blues, the two discs are compris his solo self- titled album and the At Last album recorded as The Mick Abrahams Band.
EVER-CHANGING
Mick Abrahams’ solo album has distinct American rock jazz blues influences but whats also comes through strongly on the album is the powerful vocals and interplay with with keyboard player Bob Sargeant and bassist Walt Monaghan. Mick’s guitar expertise particularly shines on the track Seasons with two types of solo – one with intricate echoing licks, the other with a wah-wah sitar-like texture. This 15 minute piece is as ever-changing as the seasons and stands as a composition of high quality and though of its time, deserved a higher profile. Again more evidence to show his sound judgement to go his own way and also his talents being so underrated.
MUSICAL MATURITY
Greyhound Bus gives us a funky Steely Dan opening with the biting notes of Abrahams’ guitar solo a highlight. The changing tempos of Awake reveal a musical maturity at a time when young rock fans ears were adjusting to longer pieces of music as our listening concentration increased. The guitar work is nothing short of exhilarating and stands the test of time. There are outstanding harmonies too in the more melancholic moments rivaling anything Crosby Stills and Nash were producing at the time, All this mixed in with some rocky 12 bar blues gives this album an eclectic nature.
At a time when jazz rock fusion was becoming popular, Big Queen gives us a flavour with interesting guitar effects giving it a different hue along with a short ditty refrain. Although much of the fusion style is now past its sell-by date, this retains some interest today.
AMAZING TALENT
Some country pedal guitar gets an airing too on Not To Rearrange, a yearning country song before the style changes completely yet again for final track Seasons. Thus we are grateful for Cherry Red unearthing this one out for us and reminding us what an amazing talent he was. He could have been huge had he explored the US market but touring there was definitely not in his agenda at the time, if ever.
The life of The Mick Abrahams Band was sadly cut short, barely lasting a year, but it result in the brassier At Last album. Brassy in terms that ex Blodwyn Pig saxophonist Jack Lancaster came into the fold adding depth and different options. Along with retaining Ritchie Dhama’s driving percussion, this seemed to energise them and lively opener When I Get Back is evidence of this. Yearning vocals and the added brass show greater dynamism for a soulful Absent Friends. Despite the musical modifications, the variety of composition seen on his solo debut album is retained with the jaunty foot- tapping Time To Decide..
PIONEEERING SOUND
Whole Wide World ‘s funky jazz adds more power to the opinion that they could have reached a broader lucrative market as this would easily have won appealed in America. Maybe Because may have had some roots in the British Blues Boom especially with Mick’s catchy licks. This is also track of many parts; melancholy moments, African drum rhythms and Latin American full sound and manic saxophone too in places. This band had a lot to offer in excitement and interest especially when we have a sombre The Good Old Days next in complete contrast.
Their sound is somewhat pioneering in many ways the sax sound replicated by Pink Floyd in later years. Up and Down goes beyond the reputation that Mick Abrahams had as a bluesman with a rockier funky nature and stunning riffs . Overall the whole album delivers sounds that other bands like The Faces, Stones etc, created to make them have success world wide and the full rocky sound of You’ll Never Get It From Me demonstrates this.
His adeptness at turning his back on a good thing, leaving Tull, abandoning the album success of Blodwyn Pig and breaking up of TMAB or was he gifted at recognising when things had reached their potential like all the best sit- com writers and avoided over egging the pudding.
Cherry Red have respectfully released these albums which stand as a tribute to the passing of Mick Abrahams as well as revealing his wonderful legacy of his multi faceted musical skills. He didn’t seek the limelight but perhaps he didn’t want huge global fame. Many of our best in Britain didn’t either but he knew he had the music in him and on these two albums he delivered some timeless music.
