A Ballad of a Peaceful Man [Import]

A Ballad of a Peaceful Man [Import]

Track Listings

1. Alone In Georgia

2. (A Ballad Of ) A Peaceful Man

3. Jules Delight

4. Messenger

5. Can Anybody Hear Me

6. Old Tin Box

7. Wont Talk About It

8. Home Again

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
German reissue of 1971 album originally issued on Vertigo. Repertoire.

Tracks:

Alone in Georgia
(A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man
Jule's Delight
Messengers
Can Anybody Hear Me?
Old Tin Box
Won't Talk About It
Home Again
Alone in Georgia [Single Edit][*]

Album Description

This limited edition CD comes packaged in a digipak and includes the original vinyl artwork and a fold out poster. Repertoire. 2006.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered LP Sleeve Replica Reproducing the Original Album Artwork. Includes a Fold Out Poster and Extensive Liner Notes. Limited to 2,500 Copies.

Customer Reviews:

A much mellower second album.......2007-03-02

Gravy Train is never what you call the most progressive of bands out there, although they're often regarded as one of the finest acts on the Vertigo label. Their debut is a quite raw and aggressive breed of hard rock with psychedelic and prog rock soundling like Black Sabbath meets Jethro Tull. For progressive rock fans, many look to their 1971 followup, (A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man, their last for Vertigo (they released two more albums on the Dawn label, Second Birth in 1973 and Staircase to the Day in 1974). Much of the hard rock elements of their debut had been toned down considerably in place of more atmospheric ballads dominated by strings, with symphonic overtones. J.D. Hughes still handles flute and sax, but he started including keyboards, like harpsichord and even a little Mellotron. Guitarist Norman Barratt, who also handles lead vocals is much more dominate than their debut, and I have to warn you his raspy vocals really are an acquired taste.

"Alone in Georgia" is the opening piece, a pop-oriented number with gospel and Southern rock overtones. This piece is really out of place compared to the rest of the album, it sounded like their misguided attempt at scoring a hit (it was released as a single), so it's a real shocker when the next piece comes next, the title track. It features some really stunning flute work and strings. "Jule's Delight" is another atmospheric ballad, while "Messenger" has a more symphonic feel complete with Mellotron. "Can Anybody Hear Me" and "Won't Talk About It" harkens back to the harder rock sound more typical of their debut. "Home Again" shows some psychedelic overtones, and a nice way to close the album.

Really, when it comes for early, Vertigo-era Gravy Train, it all comes to taste, hard rock fans are obviously advised to check out their debut, prog rock fans should go to (A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man. Aside from "Alone in Georgia", it's truly a great album to have.

Average customer rating:

The Best (but I would say that, wouldn't I)
BALLAD OF A PEACEFUL MAN
EXCELLENT ROCK ALBUM TO ADD TO A ROCK COLLECTION

A Ballad of a Peaceful Man
Gravy Train
Manufacturer: Repertoire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000085WV
Release Date: 2002-11-13

Tracks:

Alone in Georgia
(A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man
Jule's Delight
Messenger
Can Anybody Hear Me?
Old Tin Box
Won't Talk About It
Home Again

Album Description

German reissue of 1971 album originally issued on Vertigo. Repertoire.

Customer Reviews:

The Best (but I would say that, wouldn't I).......2000-12-08

I know all their albums are worth buying. They are one of the greatest rock bands that never really made it. I was a personal friend and roadie of the band in the early 70's, and the stories I can tell you would take hours of good fun and good memories. If any of the band are still around, that's Norm, George or Les, I would like to here from you. Dave (who left you and went to Germany) in 1974. If anyone would like to read some short stories about our travels, email me; dave@bfg-online.com

BALLAD OF A PEACEFUL MAN.......2000-02-29

Quintessential prog rock from the veritable Vertigo Spiral label. It is surprising that this band achieved such little success when lesser stable-mate luminaries such as Uriah heep and Juicy Lucy forged successful careers. My mint condition original now changes hands at £175. The band's neo-classical pretensions were typical of other groups on Vertigo such as Gracious, Beggar's opera and Cressida, all of whom are worth checking out.

EXCELLENT ROCK ALBUM TO ADD TO A ROCK COLLECTION.......1999-11-20

NEXT TO "STAIRCASE TO THE DAY", THIS IS ONE OF GRAVY TRAIN'S BEST ALBUMS WITH MELODIC FLUTE WORK BACKED BY AWESOME GUITARS AND HARD HITTING LYRICS. GIVE IT A LISTEN AND ADD IT TO YOUR ROCK COLLECTION. ITS A MUST.