Let’s start by admitting I have personal history with this album having been initially commissioned to do the cover art for Large Afternoon, only to be unceremoniously dropped by the record company and replaced by what appears to be a cut ‘n’ paste job. I discussed this with Roger Dean and he put a perspective on it by advising he’s had the same happen to him and he knows of others who have suffered similarly. Ironic then, that I would have been following on from the iconic cover designs he had done on a couple of the band’s previous albums. Hey, Ho! I did however get a very nice letter from Dave Greenslade apologising and advising it hadn’t been his decision and he liked the my ideas.
So here it is, the album presented in remastered form as an expanded 2CD edition, the second disc being the ‘Live’ recording from 2001, with it’s ‘fully restored artwork’ featuring Roger’s six armed alien being, (which I shall dismiss for the purposes of this review and out of respect for Dave and Roger) including a booklet which features a potted history and interviews with band members.
Having released four critically acclaimed albums and being renowned for their fascinating live shows, the band folded in 1976, due to management issues. It was, therefore a pleasant surprise when, in 2000 founder members Dave Greenslade (keyboards) and Tony Reeves (bass) teamed up with John Young, ex Asia (keyboards, vocals) and Chris Cozens, (ex Manfred Mann’s Earthband (drums) to record Large Afternoon. It was well received by fans, encouraging the band to undertake live work. A succession of concerts saw Chris Cozens replaced on drums by John Trotter for the ‘Live’ performances. In 2001 the band performed at the Classic Rock Society in Rotherham, England, the recording of which was later released as The Full Edition – Live 2001. Unfortunately, following this Greenslade disbanded once more.
The album was unusual in that it featured twin keyboards taking the lead as opposed to guitars. Retaining the flavour of previous albums the band made use of the latest instruments and technologies to update their sound for the new millennium. Of the nine tracks on the original album, only four feature vocals, the rest being instrumentals.
The remastering has clarified the sound and helped separate the instrumentation but I don’t know whether it’s just the quality of the files I have been sent, but some of the vocals vary in strength and as on track four, No Room But A View they can sound a little muffled in places.
Dancing into the speakers like a cat chasing dustmotes in a sun kissed woodland clearing, only to lie down and sun itself for a while before bounding off again. The first track Cakewalk could have been a title track to a TV series of the time with it’s ups and downs and chilled middle section, sounding a little like MMEB (Manfred Manns Earthband) at times, though I’ve always found Dave’s keyboards a little more reposeful.
The relaxing sound of Hallelujah Anyway, is complemented by the soothing vocals of John Young, (previously with Asia and currently known for his wonderful work with his own band, Lifesigns), on this summer’s stroll of a track. Unfortunately the chorused vocals at the five minute twenty two second mark, gain a burbling inflection as if underwater, marring the pleasant tune. The lyrics for this had been written some years previously by Patrick Woodruff after their collaboration on the Pentateuch Of The Cosmogony release, intending it to be the title track of the follow up, which unfortunately never came to fruit, so David was pleased when he finally found an outlet for them on this album.
We settle back for a Large Afternoon of music on this pleasant instrumental track, which at times reflects a sound not unlike Alan Parsons Project, in the piano like keys blended with orchestration. This may in part be due to the engineering and equipment used. I can find no record of the two ever working together but one wonders what it may have birthed had they married their talents on a such an undertaking.
No Room But A View is another vocal track, which focusses on loneliness and the hope of one day, of finding someone who will bring light to your life. Again a comparison springs to mind which could have influenced some Mike + The Mechanics material. It would have been good to hear the wonderful Paul Carrack or the late, great Paul Young covering this manfully.
Like a parade of celebratory, carousing elves and woodland creatures, scattering flower petals in a path for their rulers to tread joyously, comes a festival parade through the sunny glades. Across babbling brooks and green, dappled hill slopes, musical Anthems lift their way on the summer breeze to complement the caravan.
The sun sets, bringing closure on the revelries of the day, replaced by the twinkling stars and pale moonlight as, In The Night, John luxuriates in tranquil keyboards, alone and reflecting on a love secured by the heart in perpetuity, that warms you from the loneliness and blues, as acoustic guitar chords massage the song to slumber.
On Suite to the previous track this mostly instrumental tune, the last to feature vocals, contemplates failing relationships from a female perspective and the lessons learned, which evince the way in which one can engender a loving relationship. There’s some nice intertwining keyboards on this and electronically generated woodwind sound or the finale.
The percussion and bass guitar slip in and out of tracks like a well oiled machine, complementing and raising the tunes so smoothly, almost imperceptibly, on an album full of talented musicians who gel so well together.
This album is certainly one to play in a summer and on Lazy Days, to chill out, relax and soak up the warmth of the sun. Delight in a long, cool cocktail to refresh you, as nature and the band weave their magic on the penultimate track. A celebratory conclusion to the first disc on the joyous May Fair, soliciting you into engaging in the dance woven from the instrumentation, whirling and skipping, swirling and prancing until you collapse, sated and exultant.
The second disc features five tracks from Large Afternoon complemented by seven others curated from the previous four albums, in concert. It was recorded ‘live’ at the Herringthorpe Leisure Centre in Yorkshire, during a show for the Classic Rock Society, one of the two occasions that the reformed band played at the venue. By coincidence, John Trotter, previously of MMEB sat in on the drums for the gigs.
The new line up gave this recording an extra edge and vitality, with the vintage 1970’s material interpreted in the style of the updated band, efficaciously. The sound is much better than bootleg quality, having been professionally recorded in high quality.
It had previously been issued under the title Live 2001′ – The Full Version, which was a little strange, as there does not seem to have been any other version. As with many live recordings, the sand inject added vim and vigour to their performances, with audience applause and incidental noise accentuating the ‘live’ feel.
Niggling quality of the vocal production on a couple of tracks aside, this is a pleasant re-release, with an informative booklet and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the album again and the live disc, from a venue we frequented regularly when the CRS was providing an outlet for bands and an opportunity for fans to see them.
TRACK LISTING
DISC ONE: Large Afternoon
01. Cakewalk (4:56)
02. Hallelujah Anyway (6:46)
03. Large Afternoon (4:34)
04. No Room – But A View (3:38)
05. Anthems (6:09)
06. In The Night (5:19)
07. On Suite (6:46)
08. Lazy Days (4:18)
09. May Fair (4:13)
Time – 46:39
DISC TWO: Live 2001
01. Cakewalk (4:52)
02. Feathered Friends (6:45)
03. Catalan (8:12)
04. No Room – But a View (3:40)
05. Large Afternoon (4:12)
06. Sundance (8:33)
07. Wherever I Go (5:18)
08. On Suite (6:06)
09. In the Night (6:30)
10. Bedside Manners Are Extra (5:17)
11. Joie de Vivre (11:31)
12. Spirit of the Dance (3:43)
Time – 69:39
Total Time – 116:18
MUSICIANS
Dave Greenslade – Keyboards
Tony Reeves – Bass
John Young – Keyboards, Vocals
Chris Cozens – Drums
John Trotter – Drums (Disc 2)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records | Esoteric Recordings
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release 30th May 2025
LINKS
Greenslade – Facebook | Info at Cherry Red Records
![Greenslade - Bedside Manners Are Extra [Remastered]](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Greenslade-Bedside-Manners-150x150.jpg)
