Atomic Rooster – Atomic Rooster (Expanded 2CD Edition)

When one looks back at the music scene of the Seventies, so often it is the big boys that are remembered, but bubbling under those guys were host of wonderful bands who maybe did not get the recognition they rightly deserved. With that said I personally, in my younger years, was lucky enough to discover Atomic Rooster, and the first album that came to my attention was In Hearing Of which still sits as one of my favourites, closely followed by Death Walks Behind You.

The band were originally founded in 1969 by organist Vincent Crane, who was a former member of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Atomic Rooster went on to record five albums between 1969 to 1973 including the critically acclaimed Death Walks Behind You, also having success with two singles Tomorrow Night and Devils Answer. It is probably these two songs that most listeners would be familiar with at the time due to the band’s appearances on Top of the Pops (who remembers that?).

The band appeared to exist on a rotating line up which varied from album to album with Vincent being the constant, with the version of the band between 1970-1971 often considered as the classic line up of Vincent along with John Du Cann on guitar and vocals and Paul Hammond on drums. The band finally disbanded in 1975, however in 1980 Vincent Crane and John Du Cann got back together to reform the band, this led to them creating new music and ultimately the release of an album. They drafted in drummer Preston Heyman and the album eventually was released in September 1980 and they then undertook a promotional tour, but for that Paul Hammond returned to the drum stool, reuniting the classic line up one more time.

This excellent release from Cherry Red has a remastered edition of second ‘self-titled’ Atomic Rooster (1980) and the memorable Live at the Marquee 1980 included in this two CD set. Also the inclusion of a further eleven bonus track which are taken from studio out takes, demos and a rare single B side. This all comes with the addition of an informative booklet which includes a new essay, track info and photos all comes together in a nice package.

The opening track from the first album comes flying out the traps and hits you full on in the face, or ears to be more accurate, They Took Control of You features some superb organ work from Vincent with excellent support from John and Preston. This is true for the remainder of the album, excellent performances and solid song writing makes for an enjoyable reunion album. Indeed on the track Don’t Lose Your Mind they are definitely in their classic Seventies sound territory which gives an even more familiar feel, although their signature sound is present on other tracks this one could have been lifted from any of their earlier releases.

The demos are interesting, giving an insight into their song development processes, some differences are more obvious than others and the changes are rather subtle. Also thrown into the mix are a B side single track and the last ever recording made in 1981 before Vincent’s tragic death.

For some fans of Atomic Rooster the focus of this release will be the inclusion of the Live from The Marquee Club from 1980, the sound quality and the mixing and mastering have done a great job to maintain a great live, raw feel. The sound does make you feel you are there in the audience as the band explode through this varied set, the inclusion of their two hit singles and classic songs sits nicely next to promoted tracks from their then new album. The band are so powerful and play well as a very tight unit, each demonstrating their importance to the Rooster sound. Vincent’s organ work is excellent and it remains a shame that he was so underrated at the time, however the legacy of his recorded work will forever show what a great player he was, certainly up there with the well known keyboard players.

What we have here is a nicely packaged release from Cherry Red of a little known Atomic Rooster album coupled with the live album, which gives them both the attention they deserve. The original album was not familiar to me even as a fan, but I am glad to have discovered this little gem in the band’s history. If you are a fan it maybe worth getting as the inclusion of the live album could be the magnet, which could also work to attract newer listeners also.

TRACK LISTING
DISC ONE: Atomic Rooster
01. They Took Control Of You (4:51)
02. She’s My Woman (3:14)
03. He Did It Again (4:04)
04. Where’s The Show (3:55)
05. In The Shadows (6:51)
06. Do You Know Who’s Looking For You (3:05)
07. Don’t Lose Your Mind (3:36)
08. Watch Out (4:06)
09. I Can’t Stand It (3:49)
10. Lost In Space (5:54)
~ Bonus tracks
11. Throw Your Life Away (B side of single 1980) (2:52)
12. Broken Windows (recorded in 1980) (3:49)
13. Do You Know Who’s Looking For You (demo 1980) (2:42)
14. Don’t Lose Your Mind (demo 1980) (3:33)
15. He Did It Again (demo 1980) (3:42)
16. Lost In Space (demo 1980) (3:43)
17. End Of The Day (demo 1980) (3:45)
18. Hold It Through The Night (demo 1981) (3:10)
19. No Change By Me (demo 1981) (3:16)
20. Play It Again (demo 1981) (3:42)
21. Moonrise (last recording 1981) (3:43)

Time – 79:13

DISC TWO: Live At The Marquee Club 1980
01. They Took Control of You (7.16)
02. Death Walks behind You (6.25)
03. Watch Out! (4.47
04. Tomorrow Night (6.44)
05. Seven Streets (8.30)
06. Gershatser (10.10)
07. I Can’t Take No More (8.40)
08. In The Shadows (11.33)
09. Devil’s Answer (5.59)
10. Do You Know Who’s Looking for You (4.41)

Time – 74:19

Total Time – 153:32

MUSICIANS
Vincent Crane – Hammond C3 Organ, Keyboards (Discs 1 & 2)
John Du Cann – Fender Guitars, Vocals (Discs 1 & 2)
Preston Herman – Drums, Percussion (Disc 1)
Paul Hammond – Gretsch Drums (Disc 2)

ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 30th May 2025

LINKS
Atomic Rooster – Website | Facebook | Instagram
Cherry Red Records – Info at Cherry Red Records