Dave Greenslade had already had one successful musical adventure as keyboard player with jazz infused rock band Colosseum by the time that he formed Greenslade in late 1972 alongside former Colosseum bass player Tony Reeves, drummer Andrew McCulloch and fellow keyboard player and vocalist Dave Lawson. The quartet released two album during 1973, their debut Greenslade wetted the appetites of the growing progressive rock audience who were waiting on albums from Gong, Nektar and Pink Floyd. Bedside Manners Are Extra should have been that difficult second album but with years of playing experience under their belts the members were more than up to the task.

Remastered from the original Abbey Road Studio recordings this latest vinyl release comes (as with the debut Greenslade album) housed in Roger Dean’s glorious artwork. The calibre of the musicians is immediately apparent as the title track eases the listener in on a track which continues the on/off jaunty jazz infused vibe set-up by the previous albums closer, ‘Sundance’ but this time with added vocals, as it deals with the thorny issue of patient’s sometimes difficult relationships with their privately schooled doctors. ‘Bedside Manners Are Extra’ doesn’t immediately highlight the real impact of the bands twin keyboard formula which becomes more apparent on the first of the three instrumental tracks. ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ bursts into life with a fanfare which emphasises the dual keyboard, no guitar characteristics which made Greenslade’s sound so totally unique. Racing away the Greenslade Lawson pairing are driven on by the McCulloch and Reeves relentless rhythms. Bass and drum are also the canvas to the huge brush strokes of piano and synthesiser punctuated by Lawson’s understated vocal styling on ‘Time To Dream’ which brings side one to an all to early conclusion. In the live arena many punters find drum solos a bind, however opening side two, ‘Drum Folk’ brings two such solos together to form the most joyous jazz fusion cacophony you will ever hear. Synthesised flute aids in breaking up the onslaught as Lawson and Greenslade trade off each other to create nine minutes of progressive rock which would give ELP or Wakeman a run for their money. ‘Sunkissed You’re Not’ finds Lawson at his vocal best as the keys punch and roll over a solid rhythmic back bone before. Album finale ‘Chalk Hill’ initially searches out a chill zone before going all “Yes” at midpoint as it stretches its Hammond tinged ebony and ivory legs. It’s difficult to believe that Bedside Matters… was primarily recorded in one-take with overdubs on the vocals only and that is another mark of the prowess of the four musicians involved. Despite its follow up, Spyglass Guest being their most commercially successful album, reaching #34 in the UK charts, Bedside Manners Are Extra is often sighted as the peak for the band and hence is a great place to start your Greenslade journey (although the self titled debut is also very good).

Greenslade Mk.I would only make one more album, 1974’s Spyglass Guest before Reeves was replaced by Martin Briley for Time And Tides (1975). Following their split in 1976 due to management issues, Dave Greenslade went on to release five solo albums as well as returning sporadically to Colosseum. With their unique sound it is difficult to fathom why Greenslade didn’t go on to have a bigger chapter in the history of prog alongside Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, Pink Floyd and ELP… who know? Maybe their short life and limited catalogue played it’s part? But with four consistently great albums produced in three years that certainly wouldn’t have do any harm to their status. Greenslade the band would return in 2000 with Reeves and Greenslade being joined by keyboard player and vocalist John Young (Lifesigns, John Wetton) and Chris Cozens on drums to record one further studio album Large Afternoon and tour, subsequently releasing Greenslade 2001 – Live The Full Edition in 2002 before once again calling it a day. To existing fans this will be an exercise in adding to a collection which probably already includes a few versions but hopefully with the resurgence in vinyl this release will pull in a few fresh ears.

• Reviewed By Peter Brockwell.
• Bedside Manners Are Extra (Remastered 12” Vinyl Edition) is released via Cherry Red Records on 27th September 2024.

Track List:

Side One:

1. Bedside Manners Are Extra

2. Pilgrim’s Progress

3. Time to Dream

Side Two:

1. Drum Folk

2. Sunkissed You’re Not

3. Chalk Hill