Blodwyn Pig formed way back in the late Sixties by guitarist and vocalist Mick Abrahams following his departure from Jethro Tull, shortly after the release of their 1968 debut album. Abrahams was uncomfortable with the musical direction Tull was heading in as his tastes leaned more toward jazz‑infused, blues. To this end he joined forces with Jack Lancaster, Andy Pyle and Ron Berg to create a band that blended those elements and in a way that stood apart from their contemporaries.
Growing up in the early Seventies, discovering new music was a very different experience from today. Without instant access to streaming or online recommendations, you relied on friends, the music press (Melody Maker, Sounds, and the like), the radio, or a trip to the local record shop. I remember the name Blodwyn Pig, much like Juicy Lucy, it stuck because of its oddness, but beyond a couple of songs heard on the radio, their catalogue largely passed me by. So the chance to revisit and properly explore their work through this box set was too good to miss.
Despite becoming a favourite on the UK underground circuit thanks to their energetic live performances, Blodwyn Pig only released two albums before Abrahams departed in late 1970 to pursue a solo career. Those albums, Ahead Rings Out (1969) and Getting to This (1970), are included here, along with all their singles and surviving BBC sessions recorded between 1969 and 1974.
This collection comes in a three CD clamshell box set along with a well produced twenty page booklet which includes photos, a detailed history and recording notes which continues Cherry Red Records thoughtful approach to these remastered archival releases.
Disc One contains the debut Ahead Rings Out, its original nine tracks supplemented by seven bonus cuts from various sessions and single releases. The album opens with the bright, bluesy It’s Only Love, followed by Dear Jill, a slow, groovy blues number I distinctly remember hearing on the radio. The blues foundation runs throughout, enriched by Jack Lancaster’s expressive saxophone and Ron Berg’s tight, dynamic drumming.
Disc Two presents Getting to This, and it’s clear across its ten tracks (plus four bonus tracks) that the band were hitting their stride. Their jazz‑blues fusion feels more confident and expansive here, which makes Abrahams’ departure later that year all the more surprising. Peter Banks, formerly of Yes, briefly stepped in, but the band soon dissolved.
Abrahams revived Blodwyn Pig in 1974, recording a BBC session for John Peel and a memorable In Concert performance. Highlights from these sessions appear on Disc Three, alongside other BBC recordings. This disc is particularly compelling, showcasing the band’s strength as a live act, who were tight, cohesive, and full of character. Two tracks from a 1970 Sounds of the Seventies session featuring Peter Banks are also included.
Overall, this is an excellent set that captures the impact Blodwyn Pig had during their short existence. Listening now, it’s hard not to wonder how far they might have gone had circumstances been different. If you enjoy jazz‑tinged blues rock, this collection is well worth exploring. Even fans of broader late Sixties and early Seventies music will find plenty to appreciate. I’m glad I finally took the time to dive into their work, though hindsight does make me wish I’d done it much earlier.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One: Ahead Rings Out
01. It’s Only Love (3:22)
02. Dear Jill (5:18)
03. Sing Me A Song That I Know (3:09)
04. The Modern Alchemist (5:37)
05. Up And Coming (5:30)
06. Leave It With Me (3:53)
07. The Change Song (3:43)
08. Backwash (0:53)
09. Ain’t Ya Coming Home, Babe? (6:04)
~ Bonus tracks
10. The Change Song (BBC David Symonds session February 1969) (4:25)
11. It’s Only Love (BBC “Top Gear” session March 1969) (3:32)
12. Sweet Caroline (B-Side of single) (2:49)
13. Walk On The Water (A-Side of single) (3:41)
14. Summer Day (B-Side of single) (3:43)
15. McGregor Muckabout (recorded during sessions for “Ahead Rings Out”) (10:31)
16. Walk On The Water (alternate version) (3:49)
Time – 70:18
Disc Two: Getting To This
01. Drive Me (3:20)
02. Variations On Nations (3:46)
03. See My Way (5:06)
04. Long Bomb Blues (1:07)
05. The Squirrelling Must Go On (4:25)
06. San Francisco Sketches (8:13)
07. Worry (3:42)
08. Toys (3:02)
09. To Rassman (1:30)
10. Send Your Son To Die (4:30)
~ Bonus tracks
11. Same Old Story (A-Side of single) (2:35)
12. Slow Down (B-Side of single) (4:17)
13. Meanie Mornay (Recorded during sessions for “Getting To This”) (4:43)
14. One Thing Leads To Another (Recorded during sessions for “Getting To This”) (3:39)
Time – 54:02
Disc Three: Blodwyn Pig at the BBC 1969-1974
01. Ain’t Ya Coming Come Baba (Top Gear session March 1969) (3:48)
02. The Modern Alchemist (Top Gear session March 1969) (4:47)
03. Mr Green’s Blues (Top Gear session March 1969) (3:49)
04. Worry (BBC Radio 1 Sounds of the 70’s session March 1970) (4:02)
05. Variations On Nations (Sounds of the 70’s session May 1970) (4:58)
06. Moon’s Gone (Sounds of the 70’s session September 1970) (3:01)
07. The Lady Of Liberty (Sounds of the 70’s session September 1970) (4:23)
08. See My Way (John Peel Sounds of the 70’s session June 1974) (5:58)
09. Baby Girl (John Peel Sounds of the 70’s session June 1974) (3:54)
10. Leaving Song (John Peel Sounds of the 70’s session June 1974) (4:52)
11. Blues Of A Dunstable Truck Driving Man (John Peel Sounds of the 70’s session June 1974) (2:47)
12. See My Way (BBC Radio 1 In Concert August 1974) (7:31)
13. I Know (BBC Radio 1 In Concert August 1974) (9:43)
14. Cosmografication (BBC Radio 1 In Concert August 1974) (6:20)
15. Six Days on the Road (BBC Radio 1 In Concert August 1974) (4:20)
16. It’s Only Love (BBC Radio 1 In Concert August 1974) (3:21)
Time – 77:43
Total Time – 201:03
MUSICIANS
Disc One:
Mick Abrahams – Guitar, Vocals, Seven String Slide Guitar
Jack Lancaster – Flute, Violin, Baritone, Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
Andy Pyle – Electric Bass, Six String Bass
Ron Berg – Drums
Disc Two:
Mick Abrahams – Guitar, Vocals, Seven String Slide Guitar, Tenor Guitar, (Cockney Flesh Drum and Incomprehensible Inanities)
Jack Lancaster – Flute, Baritone, Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Electric Violin, Phone Horn, Cornet, Clogs
Andy Pyle – Electric Bass, Six String Bass
Ron Berg – Drums, Timpani (and anything else he saw fit to bash at the time)
~ With:
Graham Walker – Piano (1 & 6)
Disc Three:
Mick Abrahams – Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
Jack Lancaster – Saxophones, Flute, Violin (1-5)
Andy Pyle – Bass, Vocals (6 & 7)
Ron Berg – Drums (1-7)
Peter Banks – Lead Guitar, Vocals (6 & 7)
Barry Reynolds – Guitar, Vocals (6 & 7)
Clive Bunker – Drums (8-16)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Cherry Red Records | Esoteric Recordings
Date of Release: 20th March 2026
LINKS
Blodwyn Pig – Info at Cherry Red Records
