The first part in The Phoenix Tapes series begins with a slow number called ”Get Out While You Can” that is the first “real” composition by Tim. It’s unbelievable, that the teenaged players already master their instruments this well! Especially the guitar solo is very nice. Tim sings and plays the guitar and there is also another guitar player, a bassist and a drummer (the same guys are playing in the following two tracks as well). Apparently during the mastering of this release quite a lot of echo has been added to the track which works out okay. The ending of the track is faster, groovy going. “The Bastard” is a faster, rather progressive instrumental, ”For Want of a Better Dream” a hypnotic, excellent and psychedelic piece of work including delay guitar and reminding me a bit of Steve Hillage. By 1975 the band (that was called Eyes to the Sky, by the way) had also recruited an organ player, and together they deliver the over 20-minute-long, nice jam entitled “Brass Castle Lane”.
”Ghost Echo” is a rehearsal recording under the name Whippet, and it’s a pretty experimental instrumental also including some flute. The track starts off as a rather vague drum clutter with added delay. At around the seven-minute-marker the jam really starts to go somewhere but it cools down occasionally. With a bit inferior sound “It Is Me or You” recorded live in 1977 also features another guitar player. It’s a very good Gong/Steve Hillage styled number!
Then we’ve got a couple of tunes where Tim plays the guitar and Dave Blenkinsop analogue synths. The end result is excellent, ambient and laid-back jamming that sort of reminds me of Tangerine Dream and Ashra. The last three tracks on the album were recorded as a duo with guitar player Martin Holder and they include relaxed, jam-styled playing. The last track “Jaw Wah” is a bit more intensive.
The Phoenix Tapes Volume 1 offers all Tim Jones fans some tasty pieces from the early stages of his career and proves that Tim has been a talented fellow already in the 70’s. I, for one, would like to hear some more!
(Reviewed by DJ Astro - The Psychotropic Zone)