Big Bertha,Cozy Powell/Germany 1970 Upgrade

BIG BERTHA was an important band in the early career of the hero Cozy Powell, who became the catalyst for him to spread out into the world. The most valuable full live album has been brushed up and now available. [BIG BERTHA’s finest album that conveys “Cozy before Beck”] This work includes “Hamburg performance on December 3, 1970”. His brilliant career, which was called a migratory bird, is well known, but before RAINBOW, many people may only know JEFF BECK GROUP (hereinafter referred to as JBG#2). In fact, Koji’s professional career began in the mid-1960s, and he transferred to numerous bands. BIG BERTHA is where he met Jeff Beck and was scouted. This is a good opportunity, so let’s take a quick look at the progress up to RAINBOW.・1965-1968: THE SORCERERS ・1968-1969: ACE KEFFORD STAND ・1969-1971: BIG BERTHA　←★Here★ ・1971-1972: JEFF BECK GROUP#2 ・1972-1974: BEDLAM ・1974-1975: COZY POWELL’S HAMMER・1975-1980: RAINBOW　This is Koji’s brief history from his first professional band THE SORCERERS to RAINBOW. Strictly speaking, there are bands like YOUNG BLOOD and BAKERLOO that I passed by for a moment, but the above are the ones that became my main activities. ACE KEFFORD STAND’s signature singer: After Ace Kefford left the group, BIG BERTHA was formed (or rather, renamed) by the remaining Ball brothers Dave and Denny and Cozy. In addition to the core three members, members such as Pete Ball (key), Peter French (Vo), and David McTavish (Vo) came and went, and the band remained active until 1971. The Hamburg performance of this work was at a delicate time when Koji and Jeff met, but the official launch of JBG #2 had not yet been reached. [The “Cozy Tape” masterpiece that even attracted the attention of officials] The “sound” of BIG BERTHA, who was only able to release two singles during his career, became known through the official music that was discovered after Cozy’s death. The live album was the trigger, but this is also what he says. In fact, the first sound source I discovered was a bootleg, the so-called “cozy tape.” You can enjoy a full show of BIG BERTHA, who until then had only seen their name in Koji’s bio… Their impact spread overseas as well. Labels such as ZOOM CLUB and MAJESTIC ROCK copied it and officially released it. The quality of this sound source and its history is also unusual. If you are an astute person, you will notice that I have not mentioned “sound board” or “audience” so far, but it cannot be dismissed as such a stereotype. To put it simply, it’s “professional microphone recording.” The band set up two microphones on stage and recorded reel-to-reel. To put it bluntly, the entire band was recorded in the sense of a drum microphone, and although it is neither a line nor an audience seat (as you can see from the fact that it was officially released), it is definitely of the highest level. Although it is quite excavating from the point where it gets a little scary at the peak, it is also a very close and super direct sound that you can only think of as a direct-to-the-table sound board unless you say so. The introduction has become quite long, but this work is a live album that became the origin of such an official version. This is the ultimate version of the famous album that was digitized directly from “Cozy Tape” and has been repolished with the latest mastering. In fact, the sound of this work is the best ever. Previously released and official editions were just tapes, so the balance changed and there was a feeling that it was a bit congested, but in this work we thoroughly checked it. The opening, where the high notes were prominent, has been adjusted so that the original sound of the instrument can be felt, and the overall sound has been improved. The sense of separation and stereo sound that comes with direct connection to the console has been made even more vivid. [A young Koji in his prime with both technique and power] Such a sound depicts the rampage of a young Koji who will surprise the world with JBG#2 a few months later. The set includes singles, originals released later on BEDLAM, and covers of blues standards. CREAM’s familiar songs “Spoonful” and “Crossroads” are also being played. By the way, “Set Me Free” is a song that was officially recorded by BEDLAM, and is different from the song included in Graham Bonnet’s “LINE-UP”. At this stage, the lyrics are still tentative. Koji’s rampage is even more intense than that set! In JBG#2, Cozy responded to Jeff with a delicate fill, and after RAINBOW, he became famous for his powerful push, but BIG BERTHA’s style can be said to be a fusion of both. The key point is not “intermediate” but “fusion”. The variety of phrases that you can’t imagine from the image of later years is the same as the JBG #2 style, yet the power that explodes with each stroke has not been lost since RAINBOW. It’s more powerful than JBG#2 and has more explosive moves than RAINBOW. There are some enthusiasts who say, “BIG BERTHA and BEDLAM are the true essence of Cozy,” and it’s a strange thing to say. And the biggest highlight is “Spoonful,” which features Cozy’s drum solo. Before the song starts, the MC goes out of his way to declare, “I’m going to do a drum solo,” which seems to be a statement of spirit, and it’s actually very powerful. Even though it’s between songs, he plays an exciting free solo for about 8 minutes. The solos using later classical songs were over 10 minutes long, but the free solos were about 3 minutes long at most. You can imagine how amazing the “8 minutes” of this work is. I’ve only been talking about Cozy, but the other two Ball brothers are also worth mentioning. Guitar player Dave Ball is also known for PROCOL HARUM, but bassist Dennis Ball is actually the master. Even with Koji’s stormy beats, he inserts lyrical phrases without being hidden, and the breathability and compatibility are perfect. I think Cozy’s best partner was Dennis… He makes me listen to such a wonderful rhythm section. As expected, the vocals are not as good as the later famous bands, but it is no exaggeration to say that Cozy’s drumming is at a career high. The essence of British blues rock depicted with such a tremendous performance is what BIG BERTHA is all about. The ultimate edition that refinishes the precious “Cozy Tape”. Live recording at small club near Hamburg in Germany on 3rd December 1970 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters)*UPGRADE Disc 1(44:17) 1. Dave’s Idiot Dance 2. Beast 3. Ring Of Fire 4. She’s Not There 5. Munich City 6. Spoonful incl. Drum Solo Disc 2(42:05) 1. MC / Tune Up 2. Crossroads 3. The Stumble 4. Never Gonna Let My Body The Ground 5. Rhapsody In Blue 6. Set Me Free (Freezer On Fire) Dave Ball – Guitar, Vocal Denny Ball – Bass, Vocal Cozy Powell – Drums