Description

Original Us pressing with printed innersleeve The rusty smell of steel becoming stronger Leading to the gates of hell Dare I lay and suffer without thinking As down and down the monster crawls If I could break these bonds that hold me helpless As I watch if fall …..nearer and nearer Like a razor, it’s a blade of terror Slicing through the musty air Bearing horns each end, with glints of hunger Gaining speed with fear Guitarist Alan Ross played on 2 of John Entwistle's solo albums in the early 70's, ‘Whistle Rhymes’ and ‘Rigor Mortis Sets In’. He was also part of Entwistle's touring band during that period. In 1973, he played guitar on Tim Hardin's album ‘Painted Head’. That same year, he formed a band called Ro-Ro with bass player Warwick Rose and they released an album called ‘Meet At The Water’ on the Regal Zonophone label. The album is now extremely hard to find and goes on ebay for anything between GBP 200 and GBP 300. By 1974, he formed the group Ross with former Indian Summer keyboard player Bob Jackson. The band's career seemed to take off when they landed themselves a contract with RSO Records. They recorded 2 brilliant albums for the label, ‘Ross’ and ‘The Pit And The Pendulum’. Ross second and last album ‘The Pit And The Pendulum’ was a concept album based on Edgar Allan Poe’s lovely tale of torture during the Spanish inquisition. This album isn’t as scary as the Poe novel except for the back cover photo when we see the band dressed as monks. The album is progressive UK rock ala Paladin and Rare Earth with R&B elements. Bob Jacksons keyboard work is a delight, particularly on the haunting ‘Standing Alone’ and moments of nicely executed hard prog brilliance on side twos stunner ‘Discovery’ which features Jackson on lead vocals. Alan Ross gives us the heavy instrumental 2 minute track ‘The Edge’ which goes into the Styx meets Strongbow territory. This is probably one of the best tracks Ross ever recorded so it’s a shame the band never got the chance to record a third album. After the release of the album the band did an appearance on ‘Don Kirchners Rock Concert’ and went out as support act on a high profile tour with another RSO artist namely Eric Clapton. Things looked bright for the band but then mid-tours Bon Jackson left and leaving an untimely end to the band. Jackson would later show up in Badfinger while Alan Ross would show up on Stars self titled album in 1976 before releasing 2 albums in 1977 and 1978 on Ebony records under the name Alan Ross Band. Ross has never been given deserved kudos from critics or the prog community at large which is a shame. Edgar Alan Poes novels and even old AIP movies made out of his stories have always been an interest of mine so I still give this album a spin every now and then. It’s a very well done concept album with a solid musicianship and some really nice tunes, of course there are a few fillers like most album, but overall a pleasure to listen to. Track listing: 1. Swallow The Dreams 2. Gotta Get It Right Back 3. Madness In Memories 4. Standing Alone 5. Discovery 6. Now I See 7. So Slow 8. The Edge 9. Nearer And Nearer 10. Free 11. Ive Been Waiting 12. Oh Im Happy Now