Wizzard Brew
Encyclopedia
Wizzard Brew is the first album by glam rock
group Wizzard
, released in March 1973. In the US it was released by United Artists Records as 'Wizzard's Brew' (with a different cover photo) and failed to chart.
In approach, the album was much more experimental than the group's hit singles, with elements of hard rock (an approach Wood's previous band The Move
had explored on their 1970 album 'Looking On'), and improvisation, especially on the lengthy 'Meet Me At The Jailhouse'. Wood frequently used ring modulation
to give the instruments a harsh, distorted sound, and the album may represent an early foray into recording technique that would eventually be called lo-fi. Critical and popular reaction was mixed.
The original release included a lyric and photo sheet.
It was reissued on CD in 1999 but soon deleted. An expanded remastered edition, including the four A- and B-sides of the group's singles tracks, was released on CD in November 2006.
, except where noted
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
group Wizzard
Wizzard
Wizzard was a Birmingham-based band formed by Roy Wood, former member of The Move and co-founder of Electric Light Orchestra. The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits states, "Wizzard was Roy Wood just as much as Wings were Paul McCartney."-Biography:...
, released in March 1973. In the US it was released by United Artists Records as 'Wizzard's Brew' (with a different cover photo) and failed to chart.
In approach, the album was much more experimental than the group's hit singles, with elements of hard rock (an approach Wood's previous band The Move
The Move
The Move, from Birmingham, England, were one of the leading British rock bands of the 1960s. They scored nine Top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any success in the United States....
had explored on their 1970 album 'Looking On'), and improvisation, especially on the lengthy 'Meet Me At The Jailhouse'. Wood frequently used ring modulation
Ring modulation
Ring modulation is a signal-processing effect in electronics, an implementation of amplitude modulation or frequency mixing, performed by multiplying two signals, where one is typically a sine-wave or another simple waveform. It is referred to as "ring" modulation because the analog circuit of...
to give the instruments a harsh, distorted sound, and the album may represent an early foray into recording technique that would eventually be called lo-fi. Critical and popular reaction was mixed.
The original release included a lyric and photo sheet.
It was reissued on CD in 1999 but soon deleted. An expanded remastered edition, including the four A- and B-sides of the group's singles tracks, was released on CD in November 2006.
Track listing
All songs written by Roy WoodRoy Wood
Roy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
, except where noted
- "You Can Dance Your Rock 'N' Roll" – 4:37
- "Meet Me At The Jailhouse" – 13:33
- "Jolly Cup Of Tea" – 2:13
- "Buffalo Station/Get On Down To Memphis" – 7:37
- "Gotta Crush (About You)" – 3:44
- "Wear A Fast Gun" – 9:20
2006 Bonus tracks
- "Ball Park Incident" (A) - 3:42
- "The Carlsberg Special (Pianos Demolished Phone 021 373 4472)" (Bill Hunt) (B) - 4:16
- "See My Baby JiveSee My Baby JiveSee My Baby Jive was a song by the British glam rock band Wizzard.Written and produced by Roy Wood, See My Baby Jive was the second single by Wood's band and their first to reach number one in the UK, spending four weeks at the top of the chart in May 1973...
" (A) - 5:01 - "Bend Over Beethoven" - (Hugh McDowellHugh McDowellHugh McDowell is an English cellist best known for his membership in Electric Light Orchestra and related acts.-Career:...
) (B) - 4:42 - "Angel FingersAngel FingersAngel Fingers was a popular song by Wizzard.Written and produced by Roy Wood, Angel Fingers was Wizzard's second UK number one single, spending a single week at the top of the chart in September 1973...
" (A) - 4:39 - "You Got The Jump On Me" - (Rick PriceRick Price (bassist)Rick Price is an English bassist, who has played with various Birmingham based rock bands, most notably Sight and Sound, The Move , Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard...
) (B) - 6:28 - "Rob Roy's Nightmare (A Bit More H.A.)" - (Mike BurneyMike BurneyMike Burney is a jazz saxophonist, most notable for his tenure in Roy Wood's Wizzard.- Early life :...
) (B) - 3:47 - "I Wish It Could Be Christmas EverydayI Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" is a popular Christmas song, first released in 1973 by the English glam rock band Wizzard.It reached number four in the UK singles chart. The song was famously beaten to Christmas number one by Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" which remained there for nine...
" (A) - 4:48
iTunes Bonus track
- "Meet Me At The Jailhouse" - 0:47
- Included as a hidden trackHidden trackIn the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
on the CD reissues
- Included as a hidden track
Personnel
- Roy WoodRoy WoodRoy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
– vocal, electric and acoustic guitars, sitar, cello, bassoon, baritone saxophone, string bass, B-flat bass tuba, trombone, recorders, percussion - Rick PriceRick Price (bassist)Rick Price is an English bassist, who has played with various Birmingham based rock bands, most notably Sight and Sound, The Move , Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard...
– bass guitar, vocals, percussion - Bill Hunt – piano, harpsichord, French horn, trumpet, flugel horn, tenor horn, bugle, euphonium, E flat tuba, little glass, trumpet, backing vocals
- Hugh 'H' McDowellHugh McDowellHugh McDowell is an English cellist best known for his membership in Electric Light Orchestra and related acts.-Career:...
– cello and ARP synthesiser. - Nick Pentelow – tenor saxophone, clarinet & flute; bass backing vocals
- Mike BurneyMike BurneyMike Burney is a jazz saxophonist, most notable for his tenure in Roy Wood's Wizzard.- Early life :...
– alto, tenor, baritone & synthesized saxes, clarinet & flute - Keith Smart – drums
- Charlie Grima – drums, congas, percussion
- The Cowbag Choir