COLOSSEUM II - "War Dance" (1978)

Colosseum II - "War Dance" (1978) @320

Studio Album, released in 1977
This supergroup must be one of the best kept secrets of Prog/Jazz Rock.Featuring the sticksman extraordinaire Hiseman(Colosseum,Tempest) on drums and percussion,Guitar God Gary Moore(Thin Lizzy,Midnight Blues Band) on guitar and Keyboard Wizard Don Airey (Rainbow,Whitesnake,Black Sabbath,Jethro Tull etc) plus John Mole on bass guitar,this band can really play.

The album is virtually all instrumental apart from the dreadful "Castles" (hence the 3 star rating and not 4).An exciting feature of Colosseum II is the duelling between the keyboards and guitar which can be seen to best effect on "Fighting Talk" where Airey knocks out some really terrific Minimoog leads and Moore growls back on his Gibson,and on "Inquisition" which features stunning guitar flights on electric and flamenco answering Airey's spacey keyboards.

Other standouts include "Star Maiden/Mysterioso/Quasar" which features some nice bass by John Mole before zipping off into more guitar and keyboard mayhem,the funky "Major Keys" and the dazzling title track:"War Dance".

Hardcore lovers of Fusion may find this album too rocky,but I love this album which but for "Castles" and the fact that it is more rock than Prog would be a 4 star nominee by me. Definitely a 3 1/2 star effort though.

Track Listings

1. Wardance (6:09)
2. Major keys (5:18)
3. Put it this way (3:42)
4. Castles (5:50)
5. Fighting back (5:54)
6. The inquisition (5:50)
7. Star maiden / Mysterioso / Quasar (6:24)
8. Last exit (3:30)

Total Time: 42:37
Line-up/Musicians

- Don Airey / keyboards, synthesizers, tubular bells
- Jon Hiseman / drums, percussion, tympani, gongs
- John Mole / basses
- Gary Moore / guitars, vocals

*Includes full cover and booklet scan*

http://fp.io/m9m746cf/