Budgie – The Singles Collection - Noteworthy Productions NP17

A collection of 17 tracks that relate to the 7" singles history of Budgie that comprises of all of the "A" sides and some "B" sides that were edits for the singles market.

In addition there are tracks included that were proposed singles that were previously inreleased.

One of the most influential and under-appreciated bands in rock, Budgie were a force to be reckoned with. With their will-fully un-metal name and penchant for wacky album titles, the trio weren’t your typical meat and potatoes hard rock outfit, instead there was always something different about them that gave them a patina of class and quality. Formed in 1967 in Cardiff, they emerged fully formed and ready to take on the world, the band jettisoning the idea of calling themselves Six Ton Budgie and shortening it to the much more headline friendly name we know. Originally ploughing a furrow that was shot through with blues, as time went by they decided that a heavier route was one they wanted to pursue and over the course of eleven studio albums and countless tours they won a legion of devoted fans.

This new collection brings together a career spanning treasure trove of singles that show their development over the years from the nascent, almost psychedelic early recordings through to their heavy metal era and beyond. Throughout, there’s a raw excitement that blazes in each and every track, the power trio formation letting each member shine and the songs breathe and it was only later when keyboards were introduced to give another layer that they broke out of this titanic three-piece. Line-ups came and went but central to everything was founding member Burke Shelley, his propulsive, groove-filled bass playing and high voice instantly recognizable, the central pillar of the band and long-standing drummer Steve Williams putting in almost as many years. Of the guitarists, it was Tony Bourge and John Thomas who had the most impact and appeared on all but one of the bands studio recordings between them, adding their own firepower to the Budgie sound.

Starting with the wonderfully monikered ‘Crash Course In Brain Surgery’ and ‘Nude Disintergrating Parachute Woman’, both have a heavy feel that mixes parts of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple into their own, distinct sound. That’s just the start. From then things just keep on building and classics like ‘Zoom Club’ and their cover of ‘I Ain’t No Mountain’ show a band in full flight, each a compelling argument for their status as a truly legendary band. Dip in anywhere and there’s gold to be found with ‘Crime Against The World’ and the glorious ‘I Turned To Stone’ sounding like epics. Flirting with a more AOR sound, ‘Bored With Russia’ still sounds good today despite being very much a product of its time but that’s a measure of the quality of the writing. From the last album, ‘Tell Me, Tell Me’ and ‘We’re All Living In Cuckooland’ show where they’d reached before the band came to a halt due to the deterioration of Shelley’s health.

Whilst some may quibble that there’s some notable tracks missing from this compilation, most obviously ‘Breadfan’, ‘Parents’ and ‘Napoleon Bonaparte Parts I and II’, this is purely because they weren’t released by the band as singles so don’t qualify for inclusion. This though is a different beast and the care and attention used in putting together this selection just has to be applauded, the compilation, track recovery and mastering of the album by Danny Thomas, Paul Cox and Robert Corich giving the numbers a new, sparkling life that more than brings new light through old windows. A thrilling set, ‘The Singles Collection’ is a treat to both newcomers wondering what all the fuss is about and longtime fans who’ll appreciate hearing these numbers being given the treatment and reverence they deserve. For anyone wanting to know why Budgie was so feted, there could be fewer better places than starting right here. Sheer brilliance.

Review by Paul Monkhouse