The wealth of music available in the Seventies was vast, and keeping track was a difficult thing to do. Unlike now where we have the internet, streaming services and social media, in the Seventies listeners were reliant on the radio, current music papers (Melody Maker, Sounds and NME to name a few), and word of mouth from friends etc. So to miss something interesting from that era was an easy thing to do, however thanks to Cherry Red Records’ excellent reissue projects, lost gems and interesting listens are re-appearing – ready to be newly discovered.
That brings me neatly to the Rock Workshop who were a short lived band active in the very early Seventies releasing two albums which are included in this package. My interest to this package was due to two reasons, the first being the early vocals contribution from the late great Alex Harvey and second is a personal one. The band was formed by guitarist Ray Russell who played in the John Barry Seven. John Barry, (who later became known as a composer for James Bond movies) and my father were good friends and apparently I had met him a few times when I was around two years old, unsurprisingly I have no recollection of this 😉 .
Ray Russell, aside from playing in the John Barry Seven, toured with Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames and led his own jazz group The Ray Russell Quartet. He brought jazz style improvisation to rock music, and the Rock Workshop helped pioneer an innovative and exciting jazz/funk/rock fusion over their two albums.
Again Cherry Red has produced a comprehensive release for Rock Workshop. Across 3 CDs we have the two studio albums with bonus tracks and including single versions, previously unreleased track, demos and alternate versions. Disc three features most of these along with many live studio versions of their songs. Also included is a detailed 20 page booklet with numerous photos and information, and notes by MOJO Magazine’s Lois Wilson including a new interview with band leader Ray Russell.
Their self-titled debut album occupies the first disc giving us the eight tracks from original album and six bonus tracks all carefully remastered from the original tapes giving the listener a really detailed sound mix. A wonderful musical mix of jazz and rock delivered with some swagger, funky at times, and occasionally with an almost improv feel. At times the songs are awash with the sound of brass, but all the instruments fit together delivering an interesting listen. Yes the songs may sound ‘of their time’, but the writing and playing deserve to be noticed. Alan Greed appears to handle most of the lead vocals, however it is very noticeable when Alex Harvey takes the lead, demonstrating what was to come with his own band SAHB. The track Hole In Her Stocking appears on this album written by Russell and Harvey and is a different beast to the version which later appears on the SAHB album Framed. Also, two of the bonus tracks have songs with alternate vocals from the first released version by Alex Harvey and clearly his vocals give the songs a different edge. Which is best? Well that would be a personal choice, but for me Harvey edges it, although I am a bit biased being a fan of his work.
Disc two features their second release, The Very Last Time, (an appropriate title since the band went their separate ways after this one), sees some changes in personnel. No Alex Harvey this time around and a new vocalist Ginger Harper is added, plus a couple of other new musicians. This album gives us ten more tracks featuring their style of jazz/rock fusion, plus another four previously unreleased bonus tracks. The quality and standard from first album is continued throughout this release – couple that with another fine sound quality mix/mastering and once again makes for a pleasurable listen.
Disc three, however, is where things get even more interesting – called The Hustler we have an album full of alternate versions, demos, outtakes and first demos. What intrigued me was the tracks which were live studio versions demonstrating what a tight and well drilled unit these musicians were. With high skill levels on their respective instruments they must have been an excellent live act on the gig circuit. Again the sound quality of the remaster is very good, clear and precise with good separation between the many instruments.
Overall this is a very good historical document highlighting the developing jazz/rock/fusion movement at the start of the Seventies – and from a little known outfit who I feel deserve the recognition this package affords them. If you are interested in early Seventies music and in particular the early jazz/rock fusion style then this could be for you, I have enjoyed listening to these albums and catching up on music I missed in my younger years…
TRACK LISTING
Disc One: Rock Workshop
01. You To Lose (6:40)
– Part I Overture
– Part II Breakout
– Part III Main Theme – Finale
02. Wade In The Water (3:45)
03. Primrose Hill (Theme For Jake) (5:50)
04. Theme For Freedom (7:37)
05. Spine Cop (3:50)
06. Ice Cold (4:13)
07. Hole In Her Stocking (4:11)
08. He Looks At Me (9:18
09. Mooncross Grove (9:31)
~ Bonus tracks
10. Born In The City (single version) (2:29)
11. You To Lose (single version) (4:37)
12. Let My Bluebird Sing (4:06)
13. You To Lose (alternate take-Alex Harvey vocals) (5:57)
14. Ice Cold (alternate take- Alex Harvey vocals) (3:38)
15. Wade In The Water (alternate version) (3:49)
16. Born In The City (alternate version) (3:05)
17. People That’s Why (take 8) (3:19)
Time – 77:02
Disc Two: The Very Last Time
01. Living Reason (4:14)
02. Street War Parts 1 & 2 (9:12)
03. Going Home (5:44)
04. What’s Mine Is Mine (2:54)
05. Weeping Wood Mandalas (1:53)
06. Forgotten How To Live (3:59)
07. Light Is Light (3:39)
08. I Think It’s.. (4:04)
09. Ella Banta Dum Bundy (6:22)
10. Very Last Time (includes is This The End… Baby) (4:25)
~ Bonus tracks
11. Heavy Weather (4:41)
12. Ashen Besher (5:31)
13. Tokyo Drift (6:39)
14. Street War (Live) (5:59)
Time – 69:33
Disc Three: The Hustler: Alternate versions, Demos & Outtakes First Demos
01. When Life Was Simple (2:54)
02. Soul Sisters a.k.a. Patterns (2:46)
03. Watch Your Step (4:18)
04. Spine Cop – Live Studio Version (3:56)
05. Hole in Her Stocking – Live Studio Version (5:53)
06. Born in the City – Live Studio Version (2:50)
07. You To Lose – Live Studio Version (5:29)
08. Primrose Hill – Live Studio Version (5:43)
09. Return to Goddess (5:43)
10. The Hustler a.k.a. Watch Your Step (4:54)
11. Wade in the Water – Live Studio Version (3:43)
12. Ice Cold – Live Studio Version (3:07)
13. Spine Cop – Live Studio Version 2 (3:41)
14. Theme For Freedom – Live Studio Version (6:40)
~ Outtakes
15. People That’s Why (Take 1) (3:13)
16.Don’t Go Short a.k.a. Hole In Her Stocking (instrumental version) (4:29)
17. Studio Jam (2.50)
Time – 71:57
Total Time – 218:32
MUSICIANS
Harry Beckett – Flugelhorn Horn (1 & 2), Trumpet (2)
Bob Downes – Saxophone (1), Tenor Saxophone (2)
Alan Greed – Vocals (1 & 2), Keyboards (1)
Alex Harvey- Vocals (1 & 2)
Ginger Harper – Vocals (2)
Robin Jones – Drums, Congas (1)
Brian Millar – Keyboards (1 & 2)
Bud Parkes – Trumpet (1 & 2), Flugelhorn Horn (2)
Tony Roberts – Tenor Saxophone (1 & 2), Flute (1)
Daryl Runswick – Bass (1 & 2)
Alan Rushton – Drums (1 & 2)
Ray Russell – Acoustic & Electric Guitar (1 & 2)
Derek Wadsworth – Trombone (1 & 2)
Tony Uter – Congas (2)
Phil Wainman – Percussion (2)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 20th June 2025
LINKS
Cherry Red Records – Rock Workshop Anthology Info
