Gravy Train - Strength Of A Dream: The Anthology

Dawn label quintet’s 1973/74 sets, plus

1973’s Second Birth is twinned here with the following year’s Staircase To The Day – the former bolstered by three bonus cuts, the latter by 12. Both sets see Norman Barrett and chums deliver their brand of flutey folk-prog (JD Hughes on flute), mixed with melodic rock and even a hint of jazz (as on Fields & Factories). But in the main it’s fans of Jethro Tull who will most appreciate the likes of psych-tinged opener, Morning Coming, with its harpsichord tones and rich harmonies, while acoustic guitar and piano shape the amiable September Morning News. In contrast, Peter rocks like The Who before the chorale title track and hippy Tolpuddle Episode. Of the three bonuses, two could be Sensational Alex Harvey Band, while Sanctuary is horrid funk! The successor set (also eight tracks) features PP Arnold. Here the band shift into gear, with more powerful outings such as the Uriah Heep-esque Starbright Starlight, while Never Wanted You has the chanty weirdness of Edgar Broughton. The title track builds in Moody Blues fashion, Going For A Quick One cranks up the muso quotient, and The Last Day is a strident acoustic offering. Of the additions, a couple have vocoder and strings, though most are simple make-weights.

Castle | CMDDD 1402

Reviewed by Tim Jones
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