SEA SHANTIES

High Tide's debut is considered by many one of the first metal albums ever released, and rightly so. For an array of reasons, this album outlines the path Black Sabbath, ealry- Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple would refine and, in doing so, master in the following decade. perhaps, Sea Shanties is an anachronism of its time yet this musical anomoly was profoundly influential on the relatively unkown course of metal in 1969. If you consider similar sounding albums this year, Zep I manifested vintage blues rock, Purple was closing an era of intriguing psychadelic, hard rock, which I thoroughly enjoy, and Sabbath were playing R&B at local clubs in Birmingham.

The amalgamation of Tony Hill's baritone, reminiscent of Jim Morrison, and the heavy riffs of Balck Sabbath, would appeal to fans who are familiar and appreciate Sabbath's music as well as Jim Morrison's haunting yet eloquent vocals. Moreover, the violin/guitar matchup would possibly interest Mahavishnu fans, particularly fans of their first two albums.

This album is an intergral part of any classic metal collection and would appeal to progggers who have enjoyed works such T2's It'll All Work Out in Boomland and KC's Red.