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The Best of Brian Auger [Polygram]
Brian Auger
"The Best of Brian Auger [PolyGram]"
Artist Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Album Title Best of Brian Auger [PolyGram]
Released: Mar 19, 1996
AMG Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Genre: Rock
Styles: Jazz-Rock, Prog-Rock/Art Rock
Type: compilation
Time: 144:16
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Keyboard player Brian Auger's various Oblivion Express lineups between 1971 and 1975 produced timely music reminiscent of such other progressive rock and jazz-rock fusion performers of the time as the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and (especially when tenor Alex Ligertwood was singing) Traffic, among others. (Sometimes, the straight jazz influences are overt, as when 1973's "Whenever You're Ready" ends with the main riff of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme.") For a long time after, such groove-oriented music, with Auger's bluesy organ and piano improvisations as its instrumental signature, seemed distinctly dated. But more than two decades later, the group's prowess as a jam band impresses anew on this two-disc, nearly two-and-a-half-hour, 24-track compilation. Featuring such players as drummers Robbie McIntosh and Steve Ferrone (both later of the Average White Band), the Express plays extended funky arrangements of originals and covers by John McLaughlin, Marvin Gaye, and Wes Montgomery, as most tracks run on five minutes or more. Auger maintains a rhythmic drive that reins in the solos and gives the band a strong R&B base, but beyond that the players explore the tunes fully. The set concludes with two post-Express Auger tracks, the later of which, "Sundown," recorded in 1987, has a more pop/rock sound than the other selections.


TRACK SONG
1. Dragon Song (McLaughlin) - 4:26
2. On the Road (Auger/Mullen) - 5:24
3. Oblivion Express (Auger) - 7:45
4. Dawn of Another Day (Auger/Mullen) - 4:18
5. Marai's Wedding (Traditional) - 4:24
6. Fill Your Head With Laughter (Gorrie/Mullen) - 3:50
7. Tomorrow City (Auger) - 3:31
8. Truth (Ligertwood) - 7:42
9. Don't Look Away (Dean/Ligertwood/Mullen) - 5:57
10. Somebody Help Us (Auger) - 6:31
11. Freedom Jazz Dance (Auger/Harris/Ligertwood) - 5:24
12. Second Wind (Auger) - 6:36
13. Whenever You're Ready (Dean) - 6:19
14. Happiness Is Just Around the Bend (Auger) - 6:32
15. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (Gaye) - 4:31
16. Voices of Other Times (Auger/Dean) - 5:57
17. Straight Ahead (Dean) - 5:05
18. Bumpin' on Sunset (Montgomery) - 10:51
19. Beginning Again [live] (Auger) - 8:07
20. Brain Damage (Ligertwood/Mills) - 8:01
21. Thoughts from Afar (Auger) - 6:30
22. Future Pilot (Auger) - 6:41
23. Sundown (Auger) - 5:42
24. Planet Earth Calling (Auger) - 4:12

ALBUM RELEASES
YEAR FORMAT PUBLISHER NUMBER
1996 CD Polygram 529496
PolyGram 314529496

MUSICIANS
Brian Auger Organ, Director, Keyboards, Vocals, Multi Instruments, Producer, Harmony Vocals, Photography
Clive Chaman Guitar (Bass)
Dave Crigger Drums
Barry Dean Guitar (Bass), Harmony Vocals
George Doering Guitar (Rhythm)
David Dowle Drums
Steve Ferrone Drums
Rick Hannah Guitar
Ho Young Kim Guitar
Alex Ligertwood Vocals, Multi Instruments
Godfrey McLean Drums, Cowbell
Jack Mills Guitar
Dick Morrissey Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Jim Mullen Arranger, Multi Instruments, Harmony Vocals
Mirza Al Sharif Percussion, Timbales
Larry Vann Drums
Steve Evans Bass

PRODUCTION
Brian Auger Producer, Photography
Neil Kernon Engineer
Bill Levenson Compilation Producer
Chris Minto Mastering
Eddie Offord Engineer
Joseph M. Palmaccio Mastering
Mike Ross Engineer, Remixing
Phil Carmen Producer, Engineer
Terri Tierney Production Coordination
Catherine Ladis Project Assistant
John McDermott Essay


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