TOMORROW'S BLUES

Just as the studio album that was released after the '94-reunion concert, this one is just as unsurprising as its predecessor. This album will likely remain the last one (in studio anyway) with Colosseum's No 2-man Dick Hecktall-Smith's recent passing away. Although the sextet were still touring regularly around the world since that reunion (this writer saw them three times after the turning of the century) and for the last 12 years, these guys concentrated mostly on their historical tracks in concert, and they rocked solidly.

Much cannot be said of their latest two studio albums, even if they arte impeccably played, the songwriting is a far cry from what is used to be in their heyday. As the title will hint at you, you should not expect any thing wild or progressive on this one as their previous: you get warned it is blues and you get blues. Not that the album is bad, quite on the contrary, but their studio writings and the energy of their songs are nothing that a proghead might want to consider anything remotely close to essential. The two Greenslade-penned instrumentals being the highlights of the album, but by no means are they any prog even if Arena In The Sun has jazzy twists and . An amusing and surprising fact is that Colosseum still require Beat Poet Pete Brown's lyrics on a few tracks (four I think), but his lyrics are not quite as impressionistic as in his heyday also

Do not get me wrong, if you are to acquire the album, the fan will find many good qualities to this record and as time goes by with repeated listening, he might even have a place in his heart for such an album, but the the demanding fan will likely avoid spinning this album more than a few times. Only my utter respect for these guys will make me say that I like the album enough for a three star, but by no means is it essential for the proghead in any way, shape or form!!

Released in 2003, Tomorrow's Blues was the second post reformation album from Colosseum. There's a big clue in the title on what to expect here and basically what we have is a Blues album in the main but unfortunately not a fantastic one.

The CD kicks off brilliantly with the title track, Tomorrow's Blues. Rhythmically inventive, lovely arpeggio Guitar playing from "Clem" Clempson, nice solo too and excellent vocals (what else!) from the wonderful voice of Chris Farlowe. In fact the whole band make their presence felt on this excellent song. Unfortunately the rest of the album doesn't live up to this promising start. Not that it's bad, just not terribly exciting. I prefer my Blues a bit rougher round the edges than this very slick approach.

Of course with a band of this calibre the music is brilliantly executed and there are some good moments. Hard Times Rising moves along nicely with a simple groove and I enjoyed Dick Heckstall-Smith's Sax solo and similarly Take the Dark Times With the Sun also has a nice feel to it. The two instrumentals, Arena in the Sun and The Net Man are decent enough, the latter being the better of the two.

Sadly then, especially with the talent on show here, a fairly lack lustre affair with the exception of the title track and if Colosseum ever make another album it will unfortunately be without the talents of Heckstall-Smith, who has sadly passed away since this release. 2 ½ stars.