- Colin Cooper -- vocals, harmonica, sax, flute (1968-83) 
- John Cuffley -- drums, percussion, backing vocals

  (replaced George Newsome) (1971-83)
- George Glover -- keyboards (1982)
- Peter Haycock -- vocals, guitar (1968-83)
- Derek Holt -- bass, guitar, organ (1968-83)
- Humpty Farmer -- keyboards (1970)
- Peter Filleul -- vocals, keyboards (replaced Richard Jones)

  (1969-71 and 77-79)
- Les Hunt -- guitar (1988)
- Richard Jones -- bass (1968 and 74-78) 
- Dave Markee -- bass (1983-)
- George Newsome -- drums, percussion (1968-71)
- Henry Spinetti -- drums (1983-)
- Arthur Woods -- keyboards (1968-71)

- Grand Alliance (Derek Holt) 
- Peter Haycock (solo efforts) 

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Tightly Knot

Company: Sire

Catalog: SASD-7517

Year: 1971

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: small cut out notch along edge

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4816

Price: $10.00

If you're a fan of English blues and can somehow get over the gawdawful cover (yeah there's something fascinating about how bad it is), 1971's "Tightly Knit" is something that should appeal to you.   Produced by Chris Thomas, musically this isn't a major change in direction for the band.  The main thrust remains blues, but this time around the group takes some creative risks moving away from straight ahead formulaic blues patterns.  The first album to feature largely original material, the band's actually at their best when stretching out beyond conventional blues into more rock and pop oriented areas.  Highlights include the extremely sexist rocker ''Shoot Her If She Runs and the surprisingly pop-ish 'Towards the Sun'.

"Tightly Knit" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Hey Mama   (Climax Blues Band) - 3:30

2.) Shoot Her If She Runs   (Climax Blues Band) - 3:30

3.) Towards the Sun   (Climax Blues Band) - 3:18

4.) Come On In My Kitchen   (W. Payne) - 6:32

5.) Spoonful   (Willie Dixon) - 3:53

(side 2)
1.)  Who Killed McSwiggin (instrumental)   (Climax Blues Band) - 5:00

2.) Little Link (instrumental)   (Climax Blues Band) - 1:35

3.) St. Michael's Blues   (Climax Blues Band) - 9:53

4.) Bide My Time   (Climax Blues Band) - 3:17

5.) That's All   (Climax Blues Band) - 2:10

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  FM/Live

Company: Sire

Catalog: SAS-7411

Year: 1973

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: double  LP; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: not listed yet

Price: $10.00

Having already invested considerable time, effort and money in the band, 1973 saw Sire release a double live concert set.  Originally recorded and broadcast  by New York City radio station WNEW-FM, "FM/Live" was clearly meant to showcase the band's versatility.  The first side alone finds them taking competent stabs at blues-rock ('All the Time In the World'), radio friendly pop ('I Am Constant') and progressive moves ('Flight').  While more diverse than one would have expected, the emphasis remained on the blues, though (with the exception of a seemingly endless 'Goin' To New York and a needless drum solo on Mesopopmania'), these guys were smart enough to keep it tuneful and upbeat.  

"FM/Live" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) All the Time In the World   (Climax Blues Band) - 5:17

2.) I Am Constant   (Climax Blues Band) - 3:34
3.) Flight   (Climax Blues Band) - 11:10

(side 2)
1.) Seventh Son   (Climax Blues Band) - 
2.) Standing By A River   (Climax Blues Band) - 
3.) So Many Trains   (Climax Blues Band) - 
4.) Mesopopmania   (Climax Blues Band) - 

(side 3)
1.) Country Hat   (Climax Blues Band) - 
2.) You Make Me Sick   (Climax Blues Band) - 
3.) Shake Your Love   (Climax Blues Band) - 

(side 4)
4.) Goin' To New York   (Climax Blues Band) - 9:25
5.) Let's Work Together   (Wilbert Harrison) - 6:12

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Stamp Album

Company: Sire

Catalog: SASD-7507

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; mis-pressing (see comments)

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: not listed yet

Price: $7.00

1975's "Stamp Album" found the group moving into the realm of self-production. Like its predecessor, the set found the band trying to broaden their appeal with a more versatile, open sound. With all five members writing, top-40 pop ('I Am Constant'), BS&T-styled horn-rock ('Running Out of Time') and even reggae ('Mr. Goodtime') made for an enjoyable, if unspectacular release. Similarly, peaking at # 69, sales proved unspectacular. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve. Always loved J. Flournoy Holmes cover design ...)

"Stamp Album" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) Using the Power (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 4:28
2.) Mr. Goodtime (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 5:23
3.) I Am Constant (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 3:05
4.) Running Out of Time (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 5:21
5.) Sky High (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 5:08

(side 2)
6.) The Devil Knows (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 4:13
7.) Loosen Up (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 4:22
8.) Spirit Returning (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 2:53
9.) Cobra (Colin Cooper - John Cuffley - Peter Haycock - Derek Holt - Richard Jones) - 2:11

Now here's the weird part of the story. Our copy's a misprint. Sire in its infinite wisdom managed to press the "A" side sequence (the first four tracks) on both sides of the album !!! 

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  1969 / 1972

Company: Harvest

Catalog: SHSM 2003

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: UK pressing; textured cover

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4750

Price: $10.00

With the band finally beginning to attract some commercial visibility, Harvest jumped at the opportunity to repackage some of the group's earlier work.  Slapping on some sorry ass packaging, 1975's "1969 / 1972" pulled together 11 tracks from the band's first five studio sets.  Exemplified by tracks such as 'Please Don't Help Me', 'Hey Baby Everything's Gonna Be Alright Yeh, Yeh, Yeh' and 'Reap What I've Sowed' the focus was clearly on the band's blues roots.  It's actually a rathr pleasant spin, though there's nothing particularly ground breaking to be found here.

"1969 / 1972" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Please Don't Help Me

2.) Hey Baby Everything's Gonna Be Alright Yeh, Yeh, Yeh

3.) Everyday

4.) Towards the Sun

5.) You Make Me Sick

6.) Reap What I've Sowed

(side 2)
1.) Shake Your Love

2.) Looking for My Baby

3.) Flight

4.) Mole On the Dole

5.) That's All