Colosseum - The Grass Is Greener (1969) {2011, Reissue}

The Grass Is Greener is an album by Colosseum, released in January 1970. In contrast to other albums by Colosseum, The Grass Is Greener was released only in the United States, on the Dunhill label, distributed by ABC. It was conceived as a U.S. alternative to November 1969's Valentyne Suite, complete with a muted, blue-green variation of the aforementioned album's cover. It features four tracks recorded with then-new guitarist/vocalist Dave "Clem" Clempson in the winter of 1969 ("Jumping Off The Sun," "Lost Angeles," "Rope Ladder To The Moon," "Bolero"); three tracks from the 1969 Vertigo LP Valentyne Suite but with vocal and guitar parts provided by Clempson ("Butty's Blues," "The Machine Demands A Sacrifice," "The Grass Is Greener") instead of James Litherland; and one track, "Elegy," that appears to be the same as the original from Valentyne Suite, including Litherland's vocal.

The second album from this British jazz-rock quintet rocks harder than their first outing. Their take on Jack Bruce's "Rope Ladder to the Moon" is especially strong, and "Jumping off the Sun" has a similar feel. "Bolero" has been done to death, but guitarist Dave Clempson (who later replaced Peter Frampton in Humble Pie) uses it to launch a showcase of guitar fireworks. In fact, Clempson's blazing guitar licks shine throughout. Dick Heckstall-Smith once again impresses on his arsenal of saxophones and woodwinds, and the seven-and-a-half minute title cut which he co-wrote with drummer Jon Hiseman is a highlight of this disc. ~ Jim Newsom, All Music

Track List

01. Jumping Off The Sun [3:37]
02. Lost Angeles [5:32]
03. Elegy [3:12]
04. Butty's Blues [6:44]
05. Rope Ladder To The Moon [3:43]
06. Bolero [5:28]
07. The Machine Demands A Sacrifice [3:52]
08. The Grass Is Greener [7:39]
09. Lost Angeles (Bonus Track - Live) [15:47]