As I recently had the privilege of interviewing Steve Bolton and Paul Everett to discuss the upcoming new Atomic Rooster album. It was an interesting and lengthy discussion on the band and mainly their current happenings. But, until I’m done editing, I thought I’d take up a retro review on the band’s 1972 album Made In England, which featured Bolton on guitar. ….

On ATOMIC ROOSTER’s 4th album, the line up changed once again, with Steve Bolton now on guitar, and singer Chris Farlowe replacing Pete French. Farlowe already had a lengthy career going back to the early 60s, recording with various bands and as a solo artist, but was a more soul and blues singer and writer. He’d also been (and still is) with COLOSSEUM. And although Atomic Rooster may have gained a reputation as being a heavier, darker sounding band (early proto-metal) on their previous albums, Farlowe brought with him some of that soul and funk influence, as Made In England took a bit of a turn from the earlier albums.

Like most Atomic Rooster albums, Made In England came with different covers from country to country. In Canada and the USA, the album came with very detailed piece from American artist Abe Gurvin, who had done covers for The Mothers of Invention, Jimmy Smith, Bread, and many different genres of music during the late 60s to early 70s. In other countries, Made In England came in a denim wrapped cover, which varied in color depending on the country. The denim cover was designed by Mike Gill, and I gotta wonder if anyone out there has collected them all!? (I have not pictured all different colors below).

While Vincent Crane wrote the bulk of this album, it also featured contributions from other members, with (drummer) Ric Parnell and (guitarist) Steve Bolton each adding 2 cuts, Parnell penned and sang the excellent slower heavy psych rock of “Little Bit Of Inner Air” and the evil titled “All In Satan’s Name”, a rocker that is lead by Crane’s organ playing, while both tracks are highlighted by heavy solos from Bolton. The guitarist would contribute the stand out “Space Cowboy” (a b-side to “Save Me”, that wound up on the next LP); musically fits it’s title, as well as the slower “Never To Lose”; somewhat of a ballad that builds up and then comes back down, again, featuring a heavy solo from Bolton, and so suited for Chris Farlowe’s big voice. “Never To Lose” has also been reworked and rerecorded for the band’s upcoming new album Circle The Sun.

Vincent Crane, aside from organ and piano throughout this, would also add orchestration arrangements, notably on the first 2 cuts “Time Take My Life” and the funk rock of “Stand By Me”. The latter was issued as a single, and I’m sure if this was Rare Earth in the US, it might’ve been a hit in North America. The added soul and funk influence also comes up in tracks like “People You Can’t Trust” with it’s added gospel-like backing voices, and “Close Your Eyes”, featuring piano, and having a pretty upbeat feeling, between Farlowe’s vocals and the backing vocals, and “Breathless”, with it’s jazzy piano, and featuring a powerful guitar break thrown in for added weight, before dropping back to the piano.

Made In England was certainly a new direction for the band, and perhaps an underrated gem of early 70s progressive rock. Although the album didn’t chart well in the UK or US, it did reach #60 in Canada, and #42 in Australia. Bolton left not too long after, and formed Headstone, and later toured with The Who and Paul Young. The band recorded one more album, Nice ‘n’ Greasy (aka as ‘IV‘ in North America), before disbanding until a new line-up emerged in 1980. Later CD reissues of this album would add bonus tracks, notably the band’s BBC performances in ’72.

Two New LPs From Elektra
Elektra Records will soon release new albums by Atomic Rooster and Casey Kelly. “Made In England” is the third album by Atomic Rooster to be released in this country. The group is headed by Vincent Crane, former organist for the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and composer of his greatest hit, “Fire.” This album marks the first appearance with the group of their newest member, Chris Farlowe, who is now their lead singer. The LP contains Rooster’s current single, “Stand By Me.” A tour for the group is being planned for November. (Cashbox, 08-26-72)

ATOMIC ROOSTER – Made In England. Elektra EKS 75039 Although A.R has previously only attracted a small following of self -proclaimed anglo- philes their future now appears bright and their destiny obvious. The acquisition of Chris Farlow as lead singer is a coup to be envied and admired. Farlowe is no musical novice; his credentials are legion his suc- cesses legendary. Group organizer and or- ganist Vincent Crane is again treading upon virginal musical territory. Best cuts are “Little Bit of Inner Air,” and “Breathless.” (Billboard, 09-09-72)

MADE IN ENGLAND- ATOMIC ROOSTER-Elektra 75039
Chris Farlowe, Ric Parnell, Vincent Crane and Steve Bolton present the third installment of their unique brand of heavy British rock. Eleven cuts meant to be played at only the highest volumes, and sure to test the eardrums of all good Rooster fans. (Record World, 09-09-72)