Bodast With Steve Howe - Bodast (1968)
Bodast With Steve Howe - Bodast (1968)
BODAST was formed after the breakup of Tomorrow, and one can easily see Steve Howe's guitar work continuing to evolve from that band here, into what he'd be doing not long after when he joined Yes. As such, this forms a neat "companion" piece to the 2 early, non-Howe Yes albums, which came out at the time this was recorded.
Putting the lighter, fluffier side of Tomorrow behind him, Howe, together Bobby Clarke on drums, Dave Curtis on bass & lead vocals & Clive Skinner on vocals & acoustic guitar, wove a more serious, somewhat darker, but no less enjoyable set of rockers and moodier songs. "Do You Remember" opens the set in a uptempo manner, before "Beyond Winter" takes things in a more ethereal direction. "I Want You" sounds a bit like Bob Dylan on acid. "Nether Street" features a eerie guitar riff which Howe put to good use as part of "Starship Trooper". But "Tired Towers" is my fave song here-- its upbeat, catchy melody is somehow balanced by almost "spooky" vocal harmonies. While none of this, tragically, was actually released until 1981, this song really should have been a single back in '69!
BODAST met a fate even worse than that experienced by TOMORROW (at least the earlier band was able to release 2 singles and an album before breaking up). But that doesn't take away from how inspired the music they made was. (amazon.com)
1. Do You Remember 3:36
2. Beyond Winter 2:51
3. Once In A Lifetime 3:25
4. Black Leather Gloves 3:13
5. I Want You 3:17
6. Tired Towers 3:03
7. Mr. Jones 3:02
8. 1,000 Years 2:39
9. Nether Street 3:02
10. Nothing To Cry For 4:07
Bodast - Spectral Nether Street (2000)
Bodast - Spectral Nether Street (2000)
Much of this material has been around before in other packages, but this is the most comprehensive roundup of Bodast- and Bodast-related tracks likely to be done. Ten of the 16 songs comprise all of the masters recorded by Bodast for MGM in 1969. These have been previously reissued by Cherry Red and See for Miles, but the versions on these CDs are the original mixes by Keith West, whereas on other releases the mixes were done by Steve Howe in 1981. In addition, there are four previously unreleased 1968 songs by Canto, who were comprised of the trio of Steve Howe, Bobby Clarke, and Dave Curtiss, and evolved into Bodast around the time Clive Maldoon rejoined. And, finally, there are previously unreleased alternate takes of the Bodast cuts "Beyond Winter" and "Do You Remember." The music is a link between British flower-power psychedelia and progressive rock, full of intricate song structures and harmonies, yet also lacking the arresting melodies and direction of Howe's previous and subsequent bands (Tomorrow and early Yes), though it's closer to Tomorrow than Yes. It's more historically interesting than musically significant, but its historical value is considerably enhanced by Jon Newey's lengthy liner notes. The highlights remain the occasional times at which they recall early David Bowie, particularly "1,000 Years." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
1. Power Of Music 4:43
2. The Spanish Song 2:25
3. Come Over Stranger 3:04
4. Nether Street (Instrumental Demo) 2:59
5. Nether Street 2:59
6. Mr Jones 3:01
7. Tired Towers 3:08
8. Do You Remember 3:30
9. Beyond Winter 2:42
10. Once In A Lifetime 3:25
11. Black Leather Gloves 3:23
12. I Want You 3:18
13. 1000 Years 2:37
14. Nothing To Cry For 4:06
15. Beyond Winter 3:12
16. Do You Remember 3:35