The Edgar Broughton Band was an English prog band that started out with blues and then went on to more psychedelic direction at the end of the 60’s. Their first single ”Evil”/”Death of an Electric Citizen” was the first single release on EMI’s sub-label Harvest in 1969. Although the band has always been considered pretty much as an underground phenomenon, they have also enjoyed some kind of chart success and fame. I’ve never had any of their albums, but on the basis of this 48-minute-long DVD it should we worth it to check out at least the early albums.
The first four songs (”American Boy Soldier”, ”Love in the Rain”, ”Drop Out Boogie” and ”Silver Needle”) were played live in the studio for German television in two separate sessions in 1970 and include some excellent playing. The performance of this power trio also looks pretty good and the sound quality is great as well. Unfortunately the last three tracks recorded at a live show in Sweden in 1973 are much more horrible stuff, especially the irritating sing along “Poppy”. The Swedish audience seems to be enjoying themselves while they can also sing. The best thing about this section is that there’s also quite a lot of footage of the audience. Did everybody back then really chew gum with their jaws wide open like that?! A funny looking crowd, anyway. “Freedom” and “Out Demons Out” work a bit better, although Edgar Broughton performs some pitiful stage theatrics at times. The playing is still good on this section as well, but somehow they seem to have lost the edge. I’m sure The Edgar Broughton Band fans will still be glad that this material is out and the band has also recently regrouped.
The Edgar Broughton Band was an English prog band that started out with blues and then went on to more psychedelic direction at the end of the 60’s. Their first single ”Evil”/”Death of an Electric Citizen” was the first single release on EMI’s sub-label Harvest in 1969. Although the band has always been considered pretty much as an underground phenomenon, they have also enjoyed some kind of chart success and fame. I’ve never had any of their albums, but on the basis of this 48-minute-long DVD it should we worth it to check out at least the early albums.
