Screaming Lord Sutch - Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends

Lord Sutch was one of the goofiest, but undoubtedly most entertaining, shock rockers of his day. He was even known to emerge from coffins during his live performances, a move taken directly from Screaming Jay Hawkins. I don't think he ever took himself very seriously as a "horror" entertainer, (as did his American counterpart, Alice Cooper). Sutch just lived for the times and rocked along with some of the greatest. It was a sad for rock and roll when he took his own life in London in 1999.

The "Heavy Friends" record was "heavily" panned. Regardless of the fact that he recruited some of the best names in rock, (Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jeff Beck, and Noel Redding), most critics and listeners couldn't get past Sutch's raw vocals. This is not a legendary album in the way that "Houses of the Holy" or "Are You Experienced" is, but it easily stands as one of the greatest lost classics ever to be released from the late '60s/early '70s era of rock and roll. This is an album for someone who likes arena rock, (like Zeppelin or Deep Purple), but also digs groups like the Stooges or the MC5.

Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore seemed all too eager to tear out some of their rawest chops once they collaborated with the Lord. Songs like "Wailing Sounds" and "Flashing Lights" just absolutely kill. I would go as far to even say they rock harder than anything by Zep. The fact that Jimmy Page and John Bonham more than likely saw their time spent with Sutch as fun rather than an obligation, led to some bombastically rockin' results. (Year of Release: 1970)

Track List:
1. Wailing Sounds
2. 'Cause I Love You
3. Flashing Lights
4. Gutty Guitar
5. Would You Believe
6. Smoke and Fire
7. Thumping Beat
8. Union Jack Car
9. One for You, Baby
10. L-O-N-D-O-N
11. Brightest Light
12. Baby, Come Back

Download: Screaming Lord Sutch - Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends (30.8MB)