Hawkwind released their fourth album Hall of the Mountain Grill in September of 1974, following on from their successful previous release Doremi Fasol Latido. This album sees some changes in the Hawkwind world with the temporary departure of Robert Calvert and the departure of Dik Mik. Their absence, however, was more than compensated by the arrival of keyboardist and violinist Simon House, who more than made up for this disruption, adding a new dimension and feel to their signature Hawkwind sound.
Cherry Red Records continue their fine run of Hawkwind re-releases, ensuring each package is full of audible and visual goodies. This limited edition deluxe box-set comprises of seven CD’s and two Blurays along with a comprehensive booklet. It will also be available on remastered vinyl and a remastered and expanded CD edition, so something to suit everyone’s tastes and pocket.
I remember when Hall of the Mountain Grill was originally released and at the time I purchased my vinyl copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and I firmly believe it has stood the test of time. The album gave rise to what would become classic Hawkwind tracks and future concert favourites such as The Psychedelic Warlords, Wind of Change and Paradox to name just a few.
So what do we get in this big box set?
Disc One contains the Hall of the Mountain Grill album which has been newly remastered from the original master tapes, plus a further seven bonus tracks. These have been collected from previously released rare singles and studio out-takes. There are three live recordings spread across six discs, two of which are previously unreleased and mixed by Stephen W Tayler, the third is given a new mix by Stephen. There are two Blu-ray discs which have 5.1 surround mix by Stephen of the original album, also 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes of the 1999 Party 22nd March 1974 in Cleveland – previously unreleased.
The bonus tracks on disc one are the A&B sides of a single released in Germany also the single edit of The Psychedelic Warlords. Along with studio version of It’s So Easy and the Rockfield version of You’d Better Believe It. These extras are well curated and sonically rich. Additionally there is a comprehensive booklet with new notes from Robert Godwin plus numerous interesting photos.
Discs Two and Three contain the previously unreleased live album recorded at the Edmonton Sundown in January of 1974, again this is another excellent sound mix from Stephen W Tayler, featuring a great track selection, demonstrating a band who were on fire in the live setting. Simon House fitting in seamlessly and adding that little extra to their sound, it also interesting to note that Robert Calvert appears on vocals and recitation on this live recording and is his only appearance on the box set. His guest appearance is due to the fact this was a benefit concert for the imprisoned LSD advocate Timothy Leary, also appearing was Joanna Harcourt-Smith, Leary’s partner.
Over the next four discs we get The 1999 party live recordings from the Auditorium, Chicago 21st March 1974 and from the Allen Theatre, Cleveland 22nd March 1974. The Chicago album gets a new mix by Stephen W Tayler and the Cleveland gig is previously unreleased and is also mixed by Stephen. Both gigs sounding very good, with the mixes showing a band who were consistent live performers, and even though the performed set list is the same on consecutive nights, is still makes for interesting listening.
Stephen W Tayler has done a great job of remastering the original album, the sound quality is good with a nice balance across all instruments. This is particularly relevant to Simon House’s contributions as it demonstrates what he brought to the Hawkwind sound. Stephen’s mix has maintained the Seventies liking of phasing sound across the stereo field of your speakers, something I am glad is retained as Hawkwind often used this effect well. As mentioned before there are a number of tracks here which became live favourites. Opening with excellent The Psychedelic Warlords and ending with Paradox, these tracks sandwich in other consistently good tracks, so much so there are no weak points, making it more evident, to me, all these years later that this Hawkwind album is up there with their best. As with anything to do with this band, that comment is open to individual interpretation, but clearly a great album that should be in any Hawkwind fans collection.
Overall, this is a superb reissue of one of Hawkwind’s finest albums from their 1970s heyday. While the deluxe box set may appeal most to dedicated fans and collectors, the alternative formats ensure there’s something for everyone, whether you’re revisiting the band or discovering them anew.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One: Hall of the Mountain Grill Remastered
01. The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) (6:53)
02. Wind of Change (5:04)
03. D-Roder (6:14)
04. Web Weaver (3:16)
05. You’d Better Believe It (7:14)
06. Hall of the Mountain Grill (2:24)
07. Lost Johnny (3:29)
08. Goat Willow (1:37)
09. Paradox (5:33)
~ Bonus Tracks- A&B sides of single released in Germany as United Artists UA 35 566 in July 1974
10. It’s So Easy (studio version) (6:14)
11. You’d Better Believe It (Rockfield Studios version) (4:01)
12. Wind of Change (4:13)
13. It’s So Easy (B-side of single) (5:22)
14. The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) (single version) (3:57)
15. You’d Better Believe It (single version) (3:22)
16. Paradox (single version) (4:02)
Time – 73:03
Disc Two: Live at the Edmonton Sundown, London – January 1974. Mixed by Stephen W Tayler. Previously unreleased
01. Introduction (2:27)
02. Brainbox Pollution (7:16)
03. It’s So Easy (8:45)
04. You Know You’re Only Dreaming (4:10)
05. American (poem) (3:37)
06. Brainstorm (7:41)
07. Seven by Seven (8:18)
08. The Watcher (6:55)
09. The Awakening (3:52)
10. Paradox (6:48)
Time – 59:53
Disc Three: Live at the Edmonton Sundown, London – January 1974. Mixed by Stephen W Tayler. Previously unreleased
01. You’d Better Believe It (5:17)
02. D-Rider (8:55)
03. Sonic Attack (5:00)
04. Master of the Universe (6:07)
05. Welcome to the Future (2:49)
06. Orgone accumulator (6:46)
07. You Shouldn’t Do That (3:05)
08. Silver Machine (5:25)
Time – 43:28
Disc Four: The 1999 party Live at the Auditorium, Chicago – 21st March 1974. New mix by Stephen W Tayler
01. Introduction (1:38)
02. Standing on the Edge (2:33)
03. Brainbox Pollution (8:49)
04. It’s So Easy (10:41)
05. You Know You’re Only Dreaming (6:23)
06. Veterans of a Thousand Psychic Wars (1:47)
07. Brainstorm (9:15)
08. Seven by Seven (9:35)
Time – 50.44
Disc Five: The 1999 party Live at the Auditorium, Chicago – 21st March 1974. New mix by Stephen W Tayler
01. The Watcher (7:00)
02. The Awakening (2:38)
03. Paradox (6:27)
04. You’d Better Believe It (7:36)
05. Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) (7:12)
06. D-Rider (8:26)
07. Sonic Attack (4:19)
08. Master of the Universe (6:44)
09. Welcome to the Future (2:29)
Time – 53:04
Disc Six: The 1999 party Live at the Allen Theatre, Cleveland – 22nd March 1974. Mixed by Stephen W Tayler. Previously Unreleased
01. Introduction (1:04)
02. Standing on the Edge (2:30)
03. Brainbox Pollution (7:49)
04. It’s So Easy (11:29)
05. You Know You’re Only Dreaming (5:58)
06. Veterans of a Thousand Psychic Wars (2:59)
07. Brainstorm (10:18)
08. Seven by Seven (8:54)
Total Time: 51:04
Disc Seven: The 1999 party Live at the Allen Theatre, Cleveland – 22nd March 1974. Mixed by Stephen W Tayler. Previously Unreleased
01. The Watcher (5:38)
02. The Awakening (3:22)
03. Paradox (6:51)
04. You’d Better Believe It (7:32)
05. Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) (8:30)
06. D-Rider (7:41)
07. Sonic Attack (4:21)
08. Master of the Universe (6:34)
09. Welcome to the Future (3:54)
10. Orgone Accumulator (6:06)
Time – 60:32
Disc Eight [Blu-ray]: Hall of the Mountain Grill – 5.1 Surround Sound up-mix by Stephen W Tayler
01. The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke)
02. Wind of Change
03. D-Roder
04. Web Weaver
05. You’d Better Believe It
06. Hall of the Mountain Grill
07. Lost Johnny
08. Goat Willow
09. Paradox
Disc Nine [Blu-ray]: The 1999 Party-Live at the Allen Theatre, Cleveland – 22nd March 1974. 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler. Previously Unreleased
01. Introduction
02. Standing on the Edge
03. Brainbox Pollution
04. It’s So Easy
05. You Know You’re Only Dreaming
06. Veterans of a Thousand Psychic Wars
07. Brainstorm
08. Seven by Seven
09. The Watcher
10. The Awakening
11. Paradox
12. You’d Better Believe It
13. Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke)
14. D-Rider
15. Sonic Attack
16. Master of the Universe
17. Welcome to the Future
18. Orgone Accumulator
MUSICIANS
Disc One
Dave Brock – Lead Guitar, 12-String Guitar, Synthesiser, Organ, Vocals
Lemmy – Bass, Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitar (7)
Simon House – Keyboards, Mellotron, Violin
Nik Turner – Saxophone, Oboe, Flute, Vocals
Del Dettmar – Keyboards, Synthesiser, Kalimba
Simon King – Drums, Percussion
Discs Two, Three, Four, Five, Six & Seven
Dave Brock – Lead guitar, Synthesiser, Vocals
Lemmy – Bass, Vocals
Simon House – Keyboards, Mellotron, Violin
Nic Turner – Saxophone, Oboe, Flute, Vocals
Del Dettmar – Synthesiser
Simon King – Drums, Percussion
Stacia – Dancer
~ With:
Robert Calvert – Vocals & Recitation (Discs 2 & 3 only)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records | Atomhenge
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 12th September 2025
LINKS
Hawkwind – Website | Facebook | Info at Cherry Red Records | X | Instagram
