Silverhead – Purple Records Reissues – CD Review

21st July 2016 1 By John Deaux

Thanks to Cherry Red Records the label Purple Records has been resurrected. Purple Records was set up in 1971, not just to release Deep Purple’s records from “Machine Head” onwards, but also the various side projects that the band members were developing, and artists that they were discovering and respected.

To celebrate the resurrection the 1st 3 Silverhead album is being re-issued on the 5th August completely re-mastered & expanded. These re-issues have been overseen by Silverheads frontman Michael Des Barres who is not only known for Silverhead but for replacing Robert Palmer in Powerstation & fronting the band at Live Aid back in 1985.

Each of the CDs not only contain the original albums but also plenty of bonus tracks that were only available around the time of their original issue in Japan.

The booklets in each case re-creates al the original artwork as well as features rare memorabilia & extensive liner notes based on interviews with Michael Des Barres along with founding members Nigel Harrison & Rod Rook Davies.

The CDs themselves sound great & have so much more power behind them now than the did back in the day. The best thing is they still sound incredibly fresh.

All 3 are an essential purchase especially as the producer on their self titled is none other than Martin Birch, the guy behind Iron Maidens early albums.

The live album is the mutts nuts & is pure glam rock & proto punk at it’s best.

The Life & Times of Micheal Des Barres, including the short history of Silverhead is due to be released later in the year.
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/132672065]

Score 10/10A no brainer essential purchase available from all the usual outlets 5th August

Track Lists

SILVERHEAD
(Originally released on Purple Records in 1972 as TPSA 7506)

1. LONG LEGGED LISA
2. UNDERNEATH THE LIGHT
3. ACE SUPREME
4. JOHNNY
5. IN YOUR EYES
6. ROLLING WITH MY BABY
7. WOUNDED HEART
8. SOLD ME DOWN THE RIVER
9. ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND
10. SILVER BOOGIE

BONUS TRACKS
11. ACE SUPREME (Live)
12. ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND (Live)
13. SOLD ME DOWN THE RIVER (Live)
14. ACE SUPREME (7” Version)

16 AND SAVAGED
(Originally released on Purple Records in 1973 as TPSA 7511)

1. HELLO NEW YORK
2. MORE THAN YOUR MOUTH CAN HOLD
3. ONLY YOU
4. BRIGHT LIGHT
5. HEAVY HAMMER
6. CARTOON PRINCESS
7. ROCK OUT CLAUDETTE, ROCK OUT
8. THIS AIN’T A PARODY
9. 16 AND SAVAGED

BONUS TRACKS
10. JAMES DEAN (Previously unreleased)
11. MARILYN (Previously unreleased)
12. LEON (Michael Des Barres solo single)
13. NEW MOON TONIGHT (Michael Des Barres solo single)
14. CARTOON PRINCESS (Live)
15. MORE THAN YOUR MOUTH CAN HOLD (Live)
16. BRIGHT LIGHT (Live)
17. ROCK OUT CLAUDETTE, ROCK OUT (Live)
18. 16 AND SAVAGED (Live)
19. HELLO NEW YORK (Live)

Tracks 12-19 previously unavailable on CD outside of Japan
Tracks 10 & 11 previously unreleased

LIVE AT THE RAINBOW LONDON 1973
(Originally released on EMI Records, Japan in 1975 as EMS-80351)

1. HELLO NEW YORK
2. JAMES DEAN
3. SOLD ME DOWN THE RIVER
4. ROCK OUT CLAUDETTE, ROCK OUT
5. ONLY YOU
6. ACE SUPREME
7. ROLLING WITH MY BABY
8. WILL YOU FINANCE MY ROCK AND ROLL BAND
BBC IN CONCERT, PARIS THEATRE LONDON
31st AUGUST 1973
9. HELLO NEW YORK
10. ROCK OUT CLAUDETTE, ROCK OUT
11. ROLLING WITH MY BABY
12. BRIGHT LIGHT
13. 16 AND SAVAGED