Terry Brooks & Strange " High Flyer" 1981 US Private

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https://johnkatsmc5.blogspot.gr/2016/06/terry-brooks-strange-high-flyer-1981-us.html

Originally released as separate albums in 1980 and 1982, I’ve got the Coda Records 2-in-1 CD reissue of To Earth With Love and High Flyer. There’s a pretty clear thematic difference between the two albums. To Earth With Love eschews the long jams, being more focused on rock songs and ballads in the 3-6 minute range. But don’t think for a minute that that means a lack of in-yer-face guitar.

Bottom Line opens the set with a steady thumping rock beat, stinging, stoned guitar, spacey keyboards, and near-screaming get-outta-my-way-I’m-ROCKIN’ vocals. Woman is an interesting mix of Ian Hunter styled piano boogie, doom-laden Black Sabbath, and Terry’s own rip-it-up rock. And Mister Strange features more of that boogie-ish piano, but also intense guitar solos.

But with It’s A Beautiful Day we get something quite different from anything we’ve heard from Terry before. The 8 minute song begins as a pleasant melodic piano and vocals ballad with light orchestration. When Terry’s guitar kicks in the solo rocks, but is just restrained enough to fit the mood of the piece. As the song develops, the same ballad-like pace is maintained, while the guitar becomes increasingly aggressive and is an outstanding example of Terry’s ability to be manic and yet so passionately expressive. I Promise You My Love, Midnight Angel, and You’re All I Need are more beautiful piano dominated ballads. But then for the closing track Terry does a 360 degree turn with Down And Dirty Blues, which is EXACTLY what the title says. This is the most ass kickin’ blues I’ve heard from Terry since the Spoonful bonus track on Translucent World, featuring true balls-to-the-walls ripping Blues guitar. A killer closing number.

The High Flyer album kicks off hot ‘n heavy with You Will Be Loved, an acid-metal riff rocker with Terry screaming, “Around the world!!! Around the World!!! You will be looooooved, yeah you will!!!” A real brain fryer of an opening track. Then Terry goes Hendrix on Child Of The City, with crazy gymnastic trip guitar and a variety of effects, AND it’s got a great swingin’ groove. Terry maintains the relentless pace on Rock And Roll Women, a killer acid-drenched, take-no-prisoners rock and roll song.

Then he shifts gears for the remainder of the album. What Kind Of Man takes a tuneful melodic break, being a reflective song about assassins and war-mongers. My Lady And Me is a peaceful spacey song, sung in the first person by a visitor from another galaxy who, along with his “lady”, come to teach us about love. Love Of The Ages is another love song with a spacey vibe, and has a cool 60s pop feel. And the title track features another traveler from the cosmos telling his tale: “High Flyer is my name. High Flyer traveling through another time and plane.” The music has a space-Beat-jazzy vibe that I like and goes nicely with the lyrics. Terry’s guitar solo, one of his most sparse, makes every note count and reminded me of the Twin Peaks theme...