Tag Archives: dieter-horns

LUCIFER’S FRIEND – Jokers and Fools, 5 CD set

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To be released on September 25 is a 5 CD lift-lid box which contains LUCIFER’S FRIEND’S 3 albums from their reunion years (2015-2019), as well as 1994’s Sumogrip, and the excellent 1981 album Mean Machine – all remastered by Andy Pearce.

Lucifer’s Friend released their debut album in 1971, very heavy and doomy, which is often listed among the classics of the era, alongside the first few Black Sabbath albums, Deep Purple’s In Rock, and Uriah Heep’s debut as well. The band would shift directions or styles from album to album, maintaining a core line up of Lawton, Peter Hesslein (guitar), Dieter Horns (bass), and Peter Hecht (keyboards), along with drummers Joachim Rietenbach and Herbert Bornhold. Following Lawton’s departure to Uriah Heep in 1976, Lucifer’s Friend carried on for 2 albums with Scottish singer Mike Starrs. This box begins with the band’s reunion album Mean Machine, which saw a return to a Hard rock sound, with heavy guitars and big riffs. But with poor promotion, the band soon split up. Lawton & Hesslein reformed Lucifer’s Friend, with a new line up for 1994’s Sumogrip (as ‘Lucifer;s Friend II’). A good album, but less heavy, featuring standouts “Heartbreaker” and “Sheree”, as well as remakes of “Ride The Sky” and “Free Me” (Uriah Heep). Again, decades would pass before the band reformed with Lawton, Hesslein, and Horns. First came the compilation Awakening, which included 14 tracks, 4 of which were brand new (put on a seperate disc); I don’t see these tracks here(?). Next the band played the Sweden Rock Festival,, and released a live album from that show. This was followed by 2016’s Too Late To Hate, and a final album, Black Moon, from 2019 – both good albums, though I prefer the latter, highly recommended. Sadly, Dieter Horns passed away in 2019, and John Lawton in 2021. The Last Stand was released later in 2021, a compilation, which included songs from the last 4 albums.

Jokers And Fools will be a welcome release for those interested in this legendary band. Although the last few albums aren’t that old, having all 5 albums together looks like a nice collection for fans. I’m also looking forward to the booklet, which includes an introduction from Iris Lawton. The band’s earlier albums are harder to find on CD (including Mean Machine), so here’s hoping that this is followed up with another such box set, including the band’s ’70s releases.

*For more info, tracklisting, and pre-ordering, go to – https://www.cherryred.co.uk/lucifer-s-friend-jokers-and-fools-5cd-edition

ELECTRIC FOOD – a look at pre-Lucifer’s Friend heavy rock LPs

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In the late 60s to early 70s a handful of German musicians were responsible for a number of obscure albums released under the Europa label. Many of these albums consisted largely of cover versions, with band recording them within a day or 2 , as hired by the producer. The musicians that wound up on so many of these Europa budget releases (many would wind up in grocery stores or gas stations at a discounted price) were the same guys that would make up the (now) legendary Lucifer’s Friend, minus singer John Lawton. One such project were 2 albums released under the name ELECTRIC FOOD, which, besides Peter Hesslein, Peter Hecht, Joachim Rietenbach, and Dieter Horns, along with Greek singer George Mavros (aka Monro. see ASTERIX). Electric Food was released in 1970 and Flash in ’71.

Many of the songs on these 2 albums would be co-written by Hesslein & Mavros, probably in the studio, within days. But there are some notable covers on each.Electric Food features what may possibly be the first Led Zeppelin cover, as the album’s lead off track was “Whole Lotta Love“. It also featured an excellent take of “House Of The Rising Sun“, as well as a cover of Wilbert Harrison’s “Let’s Work Together” (which would be a hit for Canned Heat soon after). The second LP, Flash featured 2 covers – “All Right Now” (Free) and “Love Like A Man” (Ten Years After).

Though made not long before the Asterix and first Lucifer’s Friend albums, Electric Food also leaned towards a heavier blues based and psychedelic rock sound, mixing heavy guitar and Hammond organ, not nearly as ‘proto metal’ as the first Lucifer’s Friend. These are good listening albums for LF fans, but don’t have that impact that the debut LF had.

Electric Food also had 2 further songs included on the Europa compilation Born On The Road: Easy Rider. This 1971 LP release featured 5 Electric Food tracks, notably covers of “Born To Be Wild” and “Up Around The Bend” (CCR); neither of which were on the EF albums. The cassette version of Born On The Road included 9 EF tracks. Another Europa compilation titled My Sweet Lord, would feature 4 Electric Food tracks, though none of these were non-LP recordings.

The band, minus George Mavros (Monro) would go on to record many other projects, as well as many Lucifer’s Friend albums. Mavros would go on to record solo singles under the ‘Monro’ and Mavros name throughout the 70s. He still performs to this day. with his band ‘New Comix’. Peter Hesslein is preparing a fourth solo album, The Last Journey, for possible release in the spring.

Both Electric Food albums were reissued on as a 2 on 1 CD on 2004, as well as vinyl reissues in 2018 (Long Hair Records), which included inserts with historical liner notes.

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/Lucifersfriendph

https://www.facebook.com/ElectricFood

https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=67530