Album review : THE BYRON BAND – On The Rocks… Again, 3CD Box Set

Cherry Red [Release date : 28.06.24]

CD1: On The Rocks (1981)
CD2: Demos recorded for unreleased second album (1982)
CD3: Rehearsal Recording (1981), plus Live In Liverpool (1980)

The title of the Byron Band’s debut album, On The Rocks, is a less than subtle reference to Byron’s lifetime battle with the bottle. An addiction that led to his expulsion from Uriah Heep.

Rock fans who’re unaware that Byron was Heep’s vocalist on nine (studio) albums run from 1970 to 1976 will be sparingly few.

According to the music media: His vocals were “an integral element in establishing the band, and remain central to the lasting appeal of their classic albums”.

A few poorly received solo albums led to him forming the Byron Band with rising star, guitarist/singer/writer/producer, Robin George, in 1980.

This 3 CD set lays out a detailed resume of that musical adventure:
An ambitious studio album, a live album and a bunch of demos – full of promise, full of life – and an equally vibrant rehearsal tape transferred to disc.
It’s an exhaustive collection of tracks, an enlarged snapshot of what was and what could have been. Little did we know…

Bryon’s expressive, larger than life vocals light up ‘On The Rocks’.. a patchwork quilt of musical pieces, colourful, faded in places, imbued with a sense of renewal, some of which never quite make it. But others … the sweet sound of the soulful ‘Little By Little’ and the driving rock with funk tendencies of ‘Piece Of My Love’, suggest the pairing had artistic ambitions beyond seventies’ rock tropes. (Saxophonist, Mel Collins takes a lot of the credit on these two tracks).

To the original album, this remastered reissue adds half a dozen bonus tracks… a mix of non album stuff, single B-sides, and material destined for the follow up.

The second disc comprises demos for the “next” album plus barebones versions, recorded at writing sessions in George’s home studio. These can be fascinatingly revealing, learning just how a basic idea can be transformed into a great rock song.

‘Fool For A Pretty Face’ and ‘Learn The Dance’ are illustrative of this phenomenon. At minimum, both emphasise George’s skill as a producer and an arranger.

CD3 is mainly a live gig, featuring material from the forthcoming On The Rocks. These songs sound vital in a live setting. ‘Bad Girl’, ‘Start Believing’ and ‘Piece Of My Love’ find Byron in superb voice, winning over the crowd, and indeed, winning his own personal fight.
It’s arguably the most entertaining disc in the set.

Byron’s health finally gave up a few years later, leading to his death in 1985. He was 38 years old.
Robin George died earlier this year, aged 68.

This 3 CD reissue is a fitting tribute to both men. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

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