Circus produced
a tightly woven jazz-rock sound, sometimes resembling Jethro Tull or
Caravan, while comparisons to early King Crimson can also be assessed.
Without the help of keyboards, Circus applied saxophone and flute to
their impassioned but melodic brand of progressive music, with Chris
Burrows' drum work coming to the forefront in nearly all of their
tracks. The original Transatlantic recordings from 1969 were released in
2000 by the Castle label, combining to create Circus' debut album. With
Mel Collins on sax, Circus' eight tracks are wonderfully inventive,
merging the band's uplifting musical spirit with their innovative
laid-back sound. Collins' sax gives their interpretation of "Norwegian
Wood" a "juicy" sound, to say the least, with enough musical accessories
to make it novel. "Pleasures" has Mel Collins' dad playing alto flute
(which has a unique sound all its own) mixed in with some dreamy sax
parts into rhythms that are both busy and delicate. Ian Jelfs' vocals
aren't that becoming, proven on "Father of My Daughter" as he teams up
with Collins for the singing duties, but it's Chris Burrows' Indian
tabla that steals that show here. Burrows' best example of his
percussive talents comes alive on "St. Thomas," partnering his drums
perfectly with the woodwinds, while his conga's give "Don't Make
Promises" its jazz-to-rock sway. Bass man Kirk Riddle is absolutely
bewildering on Charles Mingus' "11 B.S.," displaying the band's love for
improvisation while putting the electric guitar to good experimental
use. Circus made a few more albums following this one, but it's here
that the well-traveled Collins truly shines, capturing this relatively
unknown band in their freshest stage. Line-up / Musicians Mel Collins/saxophone Phillip Goodhand-Tait/vocals,keyboards Ian Jelfs/guitar,vocals Kirk Riddle/bass Chris Burrows/drums Alan Bunn/drums Discography Circus 1969
1.Norwegian Wood 2.Pleasures of a Lifetime 3.St. Thomas 4.Goodnight John Morgan 5.Father of my Daughter 6.II B.S. 7.Monday Monday 8.Don't Make Promises
