Bedlam: The Bedlam Anthology, 6CD Boxset

• 6CD anthology of Brit hard rock pioneers Bedlam, an early Cozy Powell venture that ended when he left in 1974 for a solo career.
• Includes original and new mixes of their highly-regarded 1973 album for the Chrysalis label as well as live recordings and studio out-takes.

Issued in the summer of 1973, the self-titled debut album by Bedlam is regarded by admirers as a cornerstone of early 70s British hard rock, described by collector guidebook Galactic Ramble as “buried treasure” for metal fans.

A later incarnation of West Midlands turn-of-the-decade rockers Big Bertha (actually The Ace Kefford Stand minus ex-Move man Ace), Bedlam comprised brothers Dave and Denny Ball, former Jeff Beck drummer Cozy Powell and singer Frank Aiello, previously half of mid-60s mod duo The Truth.

Unfortunately, the band collapsed in 1974 when Powell and Aiello opted to sign with Mickie Most after Cozy scored a Top Three single with 'Dance With The Devil'.

A hugely expanded 50th anniversary edition of their sole LP, ‘The Bedlam Anthology’ is a six-CD celebration of the band.

The first four CDs feature the original album mix, a new 2023 remix prepared by Denny Ball from the original multi-tracks, and a pair of thunderous live shows from late 1973 and early 1974, the latter recorded at the end of their American tour with Black Sabbath.

Disc Five is a 1970 Big Bertha live set taped during a brief tour of Germany, while Disc Six comprises a stack of 1968-1970 demos and singles, tracking the Ball/Ball/Powell triumvirate from their early days as Cream-inspired trio Ideal Milk through to associations with Ace Kefford and former Tintern Abbey frontman David MacTavish.

 

Track Listing

DISC ONE

BEDLAM – the 2023 remix

1 I BELIEVE IN YOU (FIRE IN MY BODY)
2 HOT LIPS
3 SARAH
4 SWEET SISTER MARY
5 SEVEN LONG YEARS
6 THE BEAST
7 WHISKY AND WINE
8 LOOKING THROUGH LOVE'S EYES (BUSY DREAMIN')
9 PUTTING ON THE FLESH
10 SET ME FREE
Bonus tracks
11 THE GREAT GAME
12 NEAR THE EDGE

DISC TWO

BEDLAM – the original 1973 mix
1 I BELIEVE IN YOU (FIRE IN MY BODY)
2 HOT LIPS
3 SARAH
4 SWEET SISTER MARY
5 SEVEN LONG YEARS
6 THE BEAST
7 WHISKY AND WINE
8 LOOKIN' THROUGH LOVE'S EYES (BUSY DREAMIN')
9 PUTTING ON THE FLESH
10 SET ME FREE

DISC THREE

LIVE IN LONDON 1973
1 I BELIEVE IN YOU (FIRE IN MY BODY)
2 HOT LIPS
3 PUTTING ON THE FLESH
4 SARAH
5 DRUM SOLO/SEVEN LONG YEARS
6 MOTHER IN LAW
7 THE FOOL
8 THE BEAST
9 SET ME FREE
Bonus track
10 DANCE WITH THE DEVIL (from Midnight Special)

DISC FOUR

LIVE IN BINGHAMPTON, NEW YORK 1974
1 I BELIEVE IN YOU (FIRE IN MY BODY)
2 THE BEAST
3 THE GREAT GAME
4 SET ME FREE
5 INTERVIEW
6 THE FOOL

DISC FIVE

BIG BERTHA – LIVE IN HAMBURG 1970
1 DAVE'S IDIOT DANCE
2 THE BEAST
3 RING OF FIRE
4 SHE'S NOT THERE
5 MUNICH CITY
6 SPOONFUL
7 CROSSROADS/THE STUMBLE
8 NEVER GONNA LET MY BODY TOUCH THE GROUND
9 RHAPSODY IN BLUE (Abridged Version)
10 SET ME FREE (FREEZER ON FIRE)

DISC SIX

1968-1970 ANTHOLOGY
1 1812 THRASHED (Ideal Milk)
2 NSU (Ideal Milk)
3 HIDEAWAY (Ideal Milk)
4 STEPPIN' OUT (Ideal Milk)
5 FOR YOUR LOVE (demo version) (The Ace Kefford Stand)
6 BORN TO BE WILD (The Ace Kefford Stand)
7 DAUGHTER OF THE SUN (The Ace Kefford Stand)
8 FOR YOUR LOVE (single version) The Ace Kefford Stand 9 GRAVY BOOBY JAMM (The Ace Kefford Stand)
10 THIS WORLD'S AN APPLE (Big Bertha featuring Ace Kefford)
11 MUNICH CITY (Big Bertha)
12 FUNKY WOMAN (Big Bertha)
13 RING OF FIRE (Big Bertha)
14 TIME OF THE SEASON (Big Bertha)
15 AT THE GATEWAY (Bedlam)
16 CANDY (RAINBOW OVER NEW YORK) (Bedlam)