A trio of classic albums from Welsh titans Budgie are pulled together onto this latest box set from Cherry Red Records. Running From My Soul – The MCA Years 1973-1975 consists of Never Turn Your Back on a Friend, In For The Kill and Bandolier, three of Budgie’s finest works, along with a handful of bonus tracks. This era represents the bands commercial peak, the latter two albums being the only time they breached the Top 40, and also includes some of their career defining songs.
Never Turn… kicks off with the mighty ‘Breadfan’. arguably their most well known song in part thanks to the Metallica cover in the 80’s that introduced Burke Shelley & co to a brand new audience. And with epics ‘You’re the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk’ and ‘In The Grip of A Tyrefitter’s Hand’ also included here, there is a strong argument that this 1973 release is their best. This was Budgie finally taking full flight with their third album, complete with a suitably epic Roger Dean sleeve and the trio of Shelley, drummer Ray Phillips and guitarist Tony Bourge really pulling out all of the stops with crunching riffs, thunderous drums and Shelley’s Geddy Lee-esque vocals. A stone cold classic for sure, and a record that should grace any hard rock fans collection.
1974 saw Budgie return with In For The Kill, another album that blends light and shade as they move through long epics to some sub-three minute softer moments. Pete Boot was behind the drum kit for this one that, due to licensing issues, the label are unfortunately unable to include ‘Crash Course In Brain Surgery’ with this set. With that one absent, the stand out cut here is probably ‘Zoom Club’, at almost 10 minutes something of a mini-prog epic. It has a terrific riff and is highlighted by some fine guitar work from the underrated Bourge where he is really let off the leash and delivers a powerful and lengthy solo. Although it doesn’t quite match the standard set by its predecessor, this was still a solid enough follow-up with the title track and ‘Hammer and Tongs’ also standing out.
Pete Boot had been given the boot by the time of 1975’s Bandolier with Steve Williams taking over behind the kit, a position he filled until the mid-80’s before returning at the end of the 90’s for the bands final decade. Opening with the barnstorming ‘Breaking all the House Rules’, Bandolier gets off to a great start although overall there is a sense that Budgie were getting less experimental by this point and sticking to the tried and tested hard rock / blues formula. But you can’t go far wrong with the outrageously brilliant ‘Napoleon Bona Part One and Two’ that was certainly an influence on the likes of Iron Maiden and many others to emerge from the NWOBHM era.
Although they never got the acclaim they fully deserved, there is no doubting that Budgie were a highly respected and influential band that genuinely had some innovative songs across their vast catalogue. As such, this box set is a great way to rediscover the band and some of their finest moments.
DISC ONE
NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A FRIEND
1. Breadfan
2. Baby Please Don’t Go
3. You Know I’ll Always Love You
4. You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk
5. In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter’s Hand
6. Riding My Nightmare
7. Parents
DISC TWO
IN FOR THE KILL! *
1. In For The Kill
2. Wondering What Everyone Knows
3. Zoom Club
4. Hammer And Tongs
5. Running From My Soul
6. Living On Your Own
BONUS TRACKS
7. Zoom Club (Edit)
8. Wondering What Everyone Knows (B-Side)
DISC THREE
BANDOLIER
1. Breaking All The House Rules
2. Slipaway
3. Who Do You Want For Your Love?
4. I Can’t See My Feelings
5. I Ain’t No Mountain
6. Napoleon Bona – Part One
7. Napoleon Bona – Part Two
BONUS TRACKS
8. I Ain’t No Mountain (Stereo Edit)
9. I Ain’t No Mountain (Mono Edit)
10. Honey (B-Side)
