Blodwyn Pig & Solo Years Box Sets Review (Cherry Red / Esoteric)
There are moments when revisiting music feels less like nostalgia and more like rediscovery—and that’s exactly what happened here.
This video (and now this review) is dedicated to Mick Abrahams, a guitarist whose legacy deserves far more attention than it often receives. With two new releases arriving at the same time—Blodwyn Pig: The Recordings 1969–1974 (3CD) and Mick Abrahams: The Recordings 1971–1972 (2CD)—this felt like the perfect opportunity to explore the full arc of his early career.
And honestly… I don’t think you can have one without the other.
The debut album Ahead Rings Out still feels like one of the most distinctive records of that era. Yes, there’s an undeniable link to Jethro Tull—and that’s inevitable given Abrahams’ role in their early sound—but Blodwyn Pig immediately establishes its own identity.
This is blues rock… but it’s also jazz-inflected, playful, inventive, and at times completely unpredictable.
There’s humour in the performances, especially on the BBC recordings, where Mick’s personality really comes through. But beneath that is serious musicianship:
- Jack Lancaster – saxophones, flute, violin (a huge part of the sound)
- Andy Pyle – exceptional bass playing
- A rhythm section that drives everything forward with real energy
Tracks like Dear Jill, Backwash, and Sing a Song That I Know show just how broad the palette was—even in 1969.
A Timeless Sound
What struck me most revisiting this set is just how modern it feels. This isn’t music that sounds trapped in its era. The remastering (by Ben Wiseman at Broadlake Studios) brings out incredible clarity:
- Instrument separation is superb
- The bass and drums have real weight
- Lancaster’s sax work fills the space beautifully
And then there’s Getting to This (1970).
For me, this was always the more challenging album—but revisiting it now, it’s absolutely packed with ideas. See My Way remains a standout—one of the most exciting jazz-blues rock tracks of the era—but the entire album reveals itself with repeated listening.
Disc 3 (BBC sessions and later recordings) is the real bonus. If you’re wondering whether you “need” it—the answer is yes. It’s not just archival; it’s alive, energetic, and brilliantly recorded.
I’ll be honest—these solo albums were new to me. I’d known about them, but never taken the time to explore them properly. That was a mistake.
The 1971 Album – The centrepiece, Seasons (around 14 minutes long), could easily have fallen into self-indulgence. But it doesn’t. It’s structured, dynamic, and genuinely engaging from start to finish. This isn’t just a guitarist stretching out—this is a composer and arranger at work.
The supporting musicians elevate it further:
- Bob Sargent – organ, piano
- Richie Dharma – drums
- Walt Monaghan – bass
And what comes across most strongly is this:
Mick Abrahams wasn’t just a blues guitarist. His playing incorporates jazz phrasing, melodic structure, and a real sense of storytelling.
The 1972 Album – Expanding the Sound
With At Last, the sound expands again—thanks largely to the return of Jack Lancaster.
Suddenly the music leans toward something closer to early Chicago-style jazz-rock:
- Bigger arrangements
- More horns and woodwinds
It shows a musician pushing forward creatively—not standing still.
Listening to these albums now… that just doesn’t hold up. His playing, songwriting, and vision were absolutely on par with his contemporaries. Sometimes, it’s not about ability—it’s about timing, opportunity, and how the industry shifts around you. As highlighted in broader discussions of artists and their journeys, the industry has always been difficult to navigate, especially for musicians outside the mainstream spotlight .
And perhaps that’s what makes these releases so important.
These two sets feel like they belong together.
If you’re exploring:
- Late ‘60s / early ‘70s blues rock
- Jazz-influenced rock
- Proto-prog experimentation
- The roots of British rock evolution
…then this is essential listening.
For longtime fans, this is the best these recordings have sounded.
For newcomers, this is your chance to discover an artist who should have been much bigger.
ORDER THE BLODWYN PIG CD BOX SET HERE
