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Size: 129 MB
Bitrate: 256
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
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Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

Atomic Roooster is the first album by British rock band Atomic Rooster.

A few weeks after its release, guitarist and vocalist John Du Cann joined and Nick Graham, the original vocalist and bassist, left. Du Cann subsequently overdubbed three of the album's tracks for a projected US release. However, in the event, the album never saw US release and the overdubbed tracks eventually surfaced on CD reissues.

On initial B&C pressings of the LP, tracks 3 and 4 on side 1 and tracks 3 and 4 on side 2 were mistakenly swapped around. This was also reflected on the record's labels, although the correct running order was printed on the outer sleeve.

Atomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout its history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early 1970s and the early 1980s. Their genre in music is difficult to define, since they went through radical changes in very short times during the life of the band. However, their best-known era represented a more hard rock/progressive rock sound, exemplified by their only hit singles, "Tomorrow Night" (UK no. 11) and "The Devil's Answer" (UK no. 4), both in 1971.

Original period (1969-1975)
In summer 1969, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown had to cease touring in the middle of their second U.S tour because of keyboardist Vincent Crane's mental illness. When he recovered, he and drummer Carl Palmer took the step to leave Arthur Brown and return to England, the return date being Friday, June 13th, 1969, which was the year of the Rooster in the Chinese calendar, and arranged a meeting with Brian Jones to discuss a collaboration. After his death, they adopted the name Atomic Rooster (with influence from the U.S. band Rhinoceros), and soon recruited Nick Graham on bass and vocals. They followed with what had emerged as the Crazy World Of Arthur Brown formula of vocals, organ, bass, and drums.

They soon undertook live dates around London; at their first headlining gig the opening act was Deep Purple. They eventually struck a deal with B & C Records and began recording their debut album in December 1969. Their first LP, Atomic Roooster was released in February 1970, along with a single, "Friday the 13th". By March, Crane felt it was best that they add a guitarist, and recruited John Du Cann from acid/progressive rock band Andromeda. However, just as Du Cann joined, Graham left. Du Cann (who played guitar and sang for Andromeda) took over vocal duties, whilst Crane overdubbed the bass lines on his Hammond Organ with a combination of left hand and foot pedals. Atomic Rooster resumed gigging until the end of June, when Carl Palmer announced his departure to Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Ric Parnell filled the drum spot until August, when the young Paul Hammond was recruited from Farm to the drum spot. They then recorded their second album, Death Walks Behind You, released in September 1970. Originally it was not commercially successful, as with the first album, but by February 1971, the single, "Tomorrow Night" reached #11 in the U.K. charts, with the album reaching #12. Atomic Rooster eventually made an appearance on the Top of the Pops, and toured to support their music.

In June 1971, just before they began configuring their line-up once again, the single "Devils Answer" hit #4 in the U.K. Atomic Rooster saw considerable popularity, and singer Pete French was brought in at the end of June. They began recording the In Hearing of Atomic Rooster LP. The sound diverged from Death Walks Behind You though, since French's vocals were much more bluesy, and the music followed suit. Both Du Cann and Hammond were unhappy with this, and left after the album was released to form Daemon (with John Gustafson (musician) and Hard Stuff, respectively. The latest Atomic Rooster line-up never played any concerts, and replacements were brought in: Steve Bolton on guitar and Ric Parnell on drums, who eventually joined the group permanently. This line-up went on tour, including a benefit gig in September, supporting The Who. At the end of the year, French moved on to join Cactus. Crane then recruited Chris Farlowe, at that time in Colosseum, to take the place of French. They went on tour and recorded another album in spring 1972. They released the album Made In England along with the single "Stand by Me", now on Dawn. They were more into soul at this point, and all the progressive and heavy rock leanings from the other releases had receded. The single did not chart, and the album just barely caught any attention, but touring followed through.

Steve Bolton left at the end of 1972, and was replaced by John Goodsall, under the name Johnny Mandala. They released the album Nice 'n' Greasy in 1973 with the single "Save Me", and a re-working of "Friday the 13th". This time, it was in a complete funk style. After nearly two years without any hits, Dawn Records dropped the group and Atomic Rooster began to split. After a tour, Farlowe, Mandala and Parnell left. The single "Tell Your Story, Sing Your Song" was released in March 1974 as "Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster" on Decca. All subsequent gigs were played by Crane along with members of the blues band Sam Apple Pie. A final concert was played in February 1975, a benefit gig for the RSPCA. Afterwards, Crane disbanded Atomic Rooster.

01."Friday the 13th" (Crane) 3:31
02."And So to Bed" (Crane) 4:09
03."Winter" (Crane) 6:53
04."Decline and Fall" (Crane/Graham/Palmer) 5:45
05."Banstead" (Crane/Graham/Palmer) 3:29
06."S.L.Y." (Crane) 4:43
07."Broken Wings" (John Jerome/Bernhard Grun) 5:47
08."Before Tomorrow" aka "Shabooloo" (Crane) 5:52

bonus tracks:
09."Friday the 13th" (Crane) 3:28 - US version: original vocals and piano overdubbed with Du Cann vocals and guitar
10."Before Tomorrow" (Crane) 5:47 - US version: original piano, flute and congas overdubbed with Du Cann guitar
11."S.L.Y." (Crane) 4:53 - US version: original piano overdubbed with Du Cann guitar
12."Friday the 13th" (Crane) 4:28 - BBC Radio Session 1970
13."Seven Lonely Streets" (Du Cann) 6:15 - BBC Radio Session 1970