Colosseum - daugther Of Time (1970)

Studio Album, released in 1970

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Three Score And Ten, Amen (5:36)
2. Time Lament (6:04)
3. Take Me Back To Doomsday (4:26)
4. The Daughter Of Time (3:30)
5. Theme For An Imaginary Western (4:05)
6. Bring Out Your Dead (4:25)
7. Downhill And Shadows (6:11)
8. The Time Machine (8:12)
with this bonus track:
9. Jumping Off The Sun (1971 Chris Farlowe version) (3:35)
Total Time: 46:05

Line-up / Musicians

- Jon Hiseman / drums
- Dick-Heckstall-Smith / saxes
- Dave Greenslade / organ, piano, vibes
- Clem Clempson / guitar, vocals
- Mark Clarke / bass
- Chris Farlowe / vocals

+ Barbara Thompson / flute, saxes
- Louis Cennamo / bass
Releases information



Expanded edition: Sanctuary Records Group Ltd SMRCD119 (2004)

In 1970 the band released their third offering called "Daughter Of Time" that showed the band moving towards a more progressive rock style and adding classical and chamber jazz influences as well. It was recorded during the summer of '70 at Lansdowne Studios. London. The line-up changed with the debut of new singer Chris Farlowe, Dave "Clem" Clempson on guitar, and Mark Clarke joining on bass although he only plays in three songs (1,5,7; the rest feature Louis Cennamo instead). The remaining members were the same as on the two previous recordings: band leader/drummer Jon Hiseman, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, and Dave Greenslade on keyboards/vibes.
by Chappa "larcha" (olympus Mons,Mars) from june 5, 2009
I really don't know why but for me, this album is so much better than the previous offering from '69 "Valentyne Suite"! A Gregorian chant opens the first title "Three Score And Ten, Amen" where you can hear the excellent, deep vocals of Farlowe that always gets me going, a great solo from Clempson using the wah wah pedal, Greenslade's vibes and a section where saxophonist Smith speaks "Run swiftly down the tunnel of time..." Amazing start! It is possible that the song's title may have been inspired by a biblical phrase in the book of Psalms or perhaps from Shakespeare's "Macbeth".
The second composition "Time Lament" written by the Greenslade/Hiseman team has an extended intro where the combination of piano, saxophone and a string section harmonize perfectly. After the second verse, the tempo picks up, and what follows is a great set of melodies that I have always considered as a preview of what Hiseman will later explore in his band Colosseum II: jazz-fusion!
Greenslade shows his classically inspired piano playing at the beginning of the next track called "Take Me Back To Doomsday". Here guitarist Clempson sings the vocals which are very different from the deep voice of Farlowe plus some flute work from Hiseman's wife Barbara Thompson. If you listen carefully, you'll notice that some of the melodies used in this track are later reprised for the intro on the title track. "And I saw the Daughter Of Time..." The chords used in combination with Farlowe's singing give off an epic feel here although the song lasts only 3:30. Hiseman plays some notable drum fills towards the end.
The fifth cut "Theme For An Imaginary Western" is the album's lone cover originally written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown and features Clarke's bass playing. Great version but I'll go ahead and say that in my opinion, it just can't touch Mountain's version from their '69 album "Climbing!" with the incredible vocals of Felix Pappalardi and the great guitar work from the underrated Leslie West! Check that version out if you can!
"Bring Out Your Dead" is an instrumental that shows the band's classical influence. I like how the main melody is played by the saxophone, organ, and guitar in unison! You'll hear some vibes too in the section when it quiets down. Hiseman hits a gong for its conclusion. Now it's on to "Downhill And Shadows": one of those standard blues tunes from the era. This is one of my favorites ever in that field! Kind of like Hendrix's "Red House" but the saxophone playing from Smith makes this track unique; just listen to the great intro! Clempson is in fine form too on the guitar and in the middle Hiseman utilizes his dual bass drum technique for a few seconds!
Speaking of drum technique, Hiseman gets to close the album with "Time Machine", an amazing drum solo recorded in July '70 at the Royal Albert Hall. In fact this is my favorite drum solo from the late 60's/early 70's period! Tons of memorable fills, waves of cymbal crashes, intense dual bass drumming, this one has it all in only eight minutes!
The bonus track "Jumping Off The Sun" is the same song previously available on "The Grass Is Greener" LP (the US version of "Valentyne Suite") but now with Farlowe's singing instead of Clempson. However, that's not the only difference. In fact, this sounds like a completely different take! It has some extra lead guitar overdubs and the rhythm guitar seems to be more in your face. Towards the end Heckstall-Smith added some sax as well which was not present in the other version. It's a psychedelic masterpiece that comes complete with tubular bells. A very worthy addition!

I would recommend this album for fans of blues, jazz, and progressive rock as well! Hiseman is one of the most underrated drummers ever! Check out his later bands Tempest and Colosseum II!

>Colosseum - daugther Of Time (1970) [Expanded 2004<