Cozy Powell / Over The Top Session – 2nd Press / 2CD+1Bonus DVDR / Zodiac
Various studio session & demos compilation. All taken from the original cassette tapes belonged to Cozy Powell plus Ltd Bonus DVDR “OLD GRAY WHISTLE TEST 1980”
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“Cozy Tapes” has produced many masterpieces. Even in that collection, her legendary masterpiece is reprinted. Appeared in renewed artwork.
The legendary board is a sound source collection with the theme of Cozy’s masterpiece 1st solo album “OVER THE TOP”. It is a superb soundboard album that summarizes related sound sources such as demos, rehearsals, and live performances. This work was released in 2010 and was a masterpiece that reigned as a symbol of the Cozy Collection. Its content can be divided into five parts. Let’s introduce each one individually.
● DISC 1 main “OVER THE TOP” session (1979)
(9 tracks, about 49 minutes)
First of all, the recording session of Cozy’s solo masterpiece “OVER THE TOP”. While focusing on “Over The Top” and “El Sid”, which were released for the first time, the existing sound sources are also permanently preserved with the highest quality by meticulous mastering.
Among them, the best listening point is “Over The Top” at the beginning. There are no strings or bell sounds like the finished version, but it enhances the rock feeling. Not only can you listen to the full drum solo in the studio take, but it is also an EL & P type keyboard trio version. Coupled with the official-class sound, it is one take of the gem that represents this work.
Also, the demo take group of “Heidi Goes To Town”, “Sweet Poison” and “The Loner”, which have been remastered and upgraded to official grades, are also excellent. Each production stage is different, and the taste is greatly different depending on the layering and presence of the guitar. The point is that the guitar is Bernie Marsden. In particular, the famous song “The Loner” includes “The Loner #1” with Marsden’s guitar and “The Loner #2” without the guitar. The former can enjoy the unique crying of Marsden, which is different from the official Clem Clemson and the later Gary Moore, and the latter is Don Airey’s keyboard. The keyboard melody that is different from the official final version is a tasteful version.
– DISC 1 bonus “K2” session (1988)
(3 songs, about 10 minutes)
At the end of such DISC 1, an unexpected masterpiece bonus is also included. This is a demo of Don Airey’s first solo album “K2” released nine years after the main OVER THE TOP session. It seems that you can hear the voice saying “It doesn’t matter”, but in fact this is ridiculously superb ….
As the name suggests, “K2” is a concept album with the theme of the world’s second most famous mountain. In this work, we will start from “K2 Overture” before narration and sound effects are entered, but this is a big feature of Cozy and Don. A tense performance is pushed to the front, making it a large spectacle track of 3 minutes and 22 seconds. Moreover, the flow that develops from there to the instrumental version “Whiteout” is a masterpiece. The powerful finish is more dynamic than the overly elaborate final version. And finish with “Close To The Sky” where the atmosphere changes. This song has a wonderfully majestic and majestic mood, and easily overturns the image of “unfinished and shabby” that tends to be seen in demo albums.
◆ DISC 2 first half: Studio rehearsal for BBC (1980)
(7 tracks, about 33 minutes)
DISC 1 was a studio album of “OVER THE TOP session”, but DISC 2 on behalf of is a live edition. In addition to Cozy, we have recorded live performances related to “BBC IN CONCERT” that appeared with super luxurious members such as Jack Bruce, Clem Clemson, Don Airey, and Max Middleton with the highest quality ever.
The first half is the “rehearsal version” ahead of the live performance. Although it is a famous sound source for a long time, it adopted the Cozy Tape version of the highest quality and was further refined with meticulous mastering. Before this work, it was only a hiss-covered and blurry master, but this work has evolved into a magnificent sound that can be called “official excavation class”.
And the live performance that unfolds with that sound is super fierce. As a matter of fact, it is a rehearsal in the studio, but “rehearsal” is only in name. Just like the actual performance … No, if you do not do well, the ensemble that rampages more freely than the actual performance will be poured into your brain with the finest sound.
◆ DISC 2 second half: BBC in concert (1980)
(5 songs, about 32 minutes)
Well, following the rehearsal is the performance of “BBC IN CONCERT”. It is a stereo sound board recording of “January 9, 1980 Paris Theater”. This is also the highest ever version by “Cozy Tape + Meticulous Mastering”, and it is also reprinting the legendary radio program with official quality.
When you listen to the superb sound, you can feel a completely different live performance that you are familiar with. It’s a super band full of virtuosos, but the battle that everyone wants to play and play is ridiculously high tension. It surpasses DISC 1 and the official work “OVER THE TOP” easily, and thanks to the superb sound, you can clearly taste the subtleties of it. On the other hand, “The Loner” overflows with deep, deep flavor and emotion, and Koji also shows off an expressive touch that uses hard and soft. Although he made a name for himself as a power hitter, we are reminded (as it is now) that he was rather a drummer with a rich singing heart.
◆ DISC 2 Bonus: Re-recording Dance With The Devil (1992)
(1 song, about 4 minutes)
A delicious bonus track is also added to such a de-class DISC 2. This is “Dance With The Devil” which is also a representative song of Cozy. However, it is not the original version of 1972, but a reprint version produced on July 3, 1992. After all, it is a take that was also the centerpiece of the masterpiece “BEST OF THE TAPES” of the Cozy Tape Collection, but the source of this work is different. It is woken up from the DAT tape that was excavated after that.
This DAT tape version is of high quality. It is a complete official grade with the best sound in this work, and it is a workmanship that can be added to “THE DRUMS ARE BACK…” as it is.
All 25 tracks, 2 hours 8 minutes 53 seconds long treasure collection. A demo album that can be said to be another version of “OVER THE TOP”, a live album with explosive tension, and a lot of fine and delicious bonuses. It is a press 2CD that permanently preserves all of them with the highest quality ever. A super masterpiece that has been honored as the best masterpiece even in “Cozy Tapes”, which has produced a large number of masterpieces equal to or greater than the official work. Here is a dignified reprint.
★Disc 1 is the demo album of the masterpiece 1st solo album “OVER THE TOP”, and DISC 2 is the live album (rehearsal & performance) of BBC IN CONCERT who appeared at that time. Don Ailey’s “K2” session and the 1992 re-recorded “Dance With The Devil” are also included as bonuses, all of which are official grade highest ever quality. It is a super masterpiece called “Cozy Tapes’ masterpiece”.
Disc 1 (59:02)
Making Of “Over The Top” Album
Studio demos recorded at Central Sound Studio, London, UK 1979
1.Over The Top
2.El Sid
3. Heidi Goes To Town #1
4. Heidi Goes To Town #2
5.Sweet Poison #1
6.Sweet Poison #2
7.Sweet Poison #3
8.The Loner #1
9.The Loner #2
Cozy Powell – Drums
Jack Bruce – Bass
Don Airey – Keyboards Max
Middleton – Electric Piano
Bernie Marsden – Guitar
Bonus track
Don Airey’s K2 Tales of Triumph and Tragedy Rough Mix & Demos
The original demo tracks recorded at Sarm Studios, London, UK 1988
Taken from the original cassette tapes dated “21st June 1988” as handwritten on the tape box.
10. K2 Overture
11. Whiteout (Instrumental) Instrumental version before Genki Hitomi’s vocals
12.Close To The Sky
Don Airey – Keyboards
Cozy Powell – Drums
Keith Airey – Guitar
Laurence Cottle – Bass
Disc 2 (69:51)
Studio live rehearsals
1.Killer
2.Sweet Poison
3. Theme One #1
4. Theme One #2
5. Tickets for Waterfall #1
6. Tickets for Waterfall #2
7.The Loner
BBC In Concert
Recorded Live at Paris Theatre, London, UK 9th January 1980
8. Opening 9. Theme One
10.Sweet Poison
11. Member Introduction
12.The Loner
13. Tickets to Waterfall
14.Killer
Cozy Powell – Drums
Jack Bruce – Bass & Vocals
Clem Clemson – Guitars
Don Airey – Keyboards
Max Middleton – Electric Piano
Bonus track
15.Dance With The Devil
The final track recorded at The Mill Recording Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, UK 1992.
Taken from the master DAT tapes dated “3rd July 1992” as handwritten on the tape box.
ZODIAC 582
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Cozy Powell / Old Gray Whistle Test 1980 / 1DVDR / Non Label
BBC Studio, London, UK 8th January 1980 PRO-SHOT
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The main press 2CD is a decision board that permanently preserves the treasure sound board related to the hero Cozy Powell’s masterpiece “OVER THE TOP” with the highest quality. It is the masterpiece of “Cozy Tapes”, which has released masterpieces equal to or greater than the official work. The DISC 2 was mainly a live sound board featuring “BBC IN CONCERT”, but Cozy and others appeared not only on radio programs at that time. Therefore, a bonus will be added to the pro shot work that will also be the “video version” of the main press 2CD.
Such a work was filmed “January 8, 1980 BBC Studio”. Yes, it is a multi-camera pro shot recorded the day before “BBC IN CONCERT” of the main press 2CD. This studio live is for BBC’s famous TV program “OLD GRAY WHISTLE TEST”. The members were also Cozy, Jack, Clem Clemson, Max Middleton and Don Airey. Of course, this is also not a mime, but the performance take is clearly different from “BBC IN CONCERT”.
The main press 2CD was also an official-grade sound board, but this is also an official-grade superb master. Although it was only 2 songs and 9 minutes of appearance, we are showing off the popular songs “Killer” and “The Loner” that are essential.
And that live performance is a special thing. A row of talented super players with craftsmanship will unfold in an explosive battle. Cozy, the main character, hits jazzy with the same regular grip as in the RAINBOW era. Jack also shows a familiar kick-up action, and it’s nori. Even so, what is rare is the appearance of Cozy who performs MC. It is a scene that can be seen only because it is a main character and a program that only plays instrumentals.
Although it is only about 9 minutes of video, the real thrill of being able to see the same enthusiastic performance as the main press 2CD with a multi-camera professional shot is exceptional. If you look at this work, you can enjoy the main press 2CD and the official “OVER THE TOP” even more vividly. It is a video version of the main press 2CD, and it is also a masterpiece video that will enrich your imagination many times. Please enjoy it together.
1.Intro
2.Killer
3.The Loner
Cozy Powell – Drums
Jack Bruce – Bass
Clem Clempson – Guitar
Max Middleton – Keyboards
Don Airey – Keyboards
PRO-SHOT COLOR NTSC Approx.9min.