Wizzard Brew
Wizzard Brew is the debut album by rock group Wizzard, released in 1973 on EMI's Harvest label. It reached a peak of No. 29 in the UK Albums Chart.[2] In the United States, it was released by United Artists Records as Wizzard's Brew (with a different cover photo) but failed to chart there.
| Wizzard Brew | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1973 2006 Re-Issue | |||
| Recorded | 1972-1973 | |||
| Studio | Phonogram Studios and EMI Studios, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:31 | |||
| Label | Harvest | |||
| Producer | Roy Wood | |||
| Wizzard chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 US alternative cover | ||||
In 2003, Mojo magazine ranked it number 18 on its list of the "Top 50 Eccentric Albums".[3]
Release
The original release included an insert with song lyrics on one side and photos of the band members on the other.[4] It was reissued on CD in 1999 but soon deleted. An expanded remastered edition, including the four A-side and B-sides of the group's singles tracks, was released on CD in November 2006.
Reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, in a retrospective review for AllMusic, felt that Roy Wood differentiated between the accessibility of Wizzard's singles and the "real art" of Wizzard Brew.[1]
Wood frequently used ring modulation to give the instruments a harsh, distorted sound. Critical and popular reaction was mixed.
Track listing
All songs written by Roy Wood, except where noted
- "You Can Dance the Rock 'n' Roll" – 4:36
- "Meet Me at the Jailhouse" – 13:30
- "Jolly Cup of Tea" – 2:08
- "Buffalo Station - Get On Down to Memphis" – 7:30
- "Gotta Crush (About You)" – 3:37
- "Wear a Fast Gun" – 9:10[1]
2006 bonus tracks
- "Ball Park Incident" ('A') - 3:42
- "The Carlsberg Special (Pianos Demolished Phone 021 373 4472)" (Bill Hunt) ('B') - 4:16
- "See My Baby Jive" ('A') - 5:01
- "Bend Over Beethoven" - (Hugh McDowell) ('B') - 4:42
- "Angel Fingers" ('A') - 4:39
- "You Got the Jump on Me" - (Rick Price) ('B') - 6:28
- "Rob Roy's Nightmare (A Bit More H.A.)" - (Mike Burney) ('B') - 3:47
- "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" ('A') - 4:48
iTunes bonus track
- "Meet Me at the Jailhouse" (US Insert) - 0:47
- Included as a hidden track on the CD reissues
Personnel
- Roy Wood – vocal, electric and acoustic guitars, sitar, cello, bassoon, baritone saxophone, string bass, B-flat bass tuba, trombone, recorder, percussion
- Rick Price – bass guitar, vocals, percussion
- Bill Hunt – piano, harpsichord, French horn, trumpet, flugelhorn, tenor horn, bugle, euphonium, E flat tuba, little glass, backing vocals
- Hugh 'H' McDowell – cello and ARP synthesizer
- Nick Pentelow – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass backing vocals
- Mike Burney – alto, tenor, baritone and synthesized saxes, clarinet, flute
- Keith Smart – drums
- Charlie Grima – drums, congas, percussion
- The Cowbag Choir[5]
Charts
| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 50 |
| United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) | 29 |
References
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Wizzard Brew - Wizzard, Wizzo Band : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 608. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- "Mojo - 100 greatest singles of all time". Muzieklijstjes.nl. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- Wizzard-Brew/image (Media notes) – via Discogs.
- "Wizzard Brew - Wizzard, Wizzo Band : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 342. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.