Greenslade - Temple Songs The Albums 1973 - 1975

Greenslade
Temple Songs
The Albums 1973 - 1975
(Cherry Red)
7/10
By Decibel Report

Created from the then rubble of Colosseum, former members keyboard player Dave Greenslade and bassist Tony Reeves got together and were shortly joined by fellow keyboard player and vocalist Dave Lawson and drummer Andrew McCulloch. For want of a band name they adopted Dave’s surname; given that Greenslade is how their management office referred to them.

This mostly impressive four-disc clamshell box set, with decent liner notes containing new interviews with some of the members, doesn’t reveal any bonus material, live or otherwise, but it does present the four original releases in charming mini-style gatefold album formats.

Habitues of Morgan Studios in North West London, the consistency of sound engineering aids all of these releases. More of an experimental jazz-rock collective than being an out and out progressive rock band; even with a couple of album covers designed by Roger Dean and eventually recording their Time And Tide album in Studio 3 where Yes laboured to birth Tales Of Topographic Oceans.

Eschewing a permanent guitarist in their ranks, excepting former Colosseum comrade Clem Clempson who delivers classy guitar on the third album Spyglass Guest which also charted well, two keyboard players, a bass player and a drummer made an odd ensemble. They smartly accentuated this oddness to substantial creative success and shifted solid sales across their short career from 1973 - ‘75.

Citing difficulties with their management company, they felt regarded as a cash cow to be milked, Greenslade disbanded and drew the curtain closed on a body of work that still stands the test of time. This dressed-up compendium is more than a worthwhile primer for any new fan to dive into and indulge themselves.