Amaziah - Straight Talker (Tunesmith)

Published Friday 31st October 2008
Amaziah - Straight Talker (Tunesmith)
Amaziah - Straight Talker (Tunesmith)

STYLE: Rock
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 15319-14346
LABEL: Tunesmith TS6002
FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Album

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Hopefully, you will have already read in the Cross Rhythms article on Amaziah about this rare collector's item (which is now fetching upwards of £500 on vintage record sites). If you didn't know already, this Bristol-based crew recorded and toured in 1979 before disbanding. On one level this is pretty good progressive-tinged rock music with songs like "All Is Peace" rather beautiful while Derek Elliott's voice, though not to everyone's taste, does come through with considerable passion. There is also a tasty track in "Slowly" which makes a considerable nod to the Alan Parsons Project while "He Is Lord" shows a bit of Alice Cooper in its vibe. Unfortunately, what scuppers the album is the very poor production and mix. Keith Loring, a CCM artist of the time, was responsible for that (though one track was mixed and produced by 18 year old guitarist Jez Coad, who went on to produce such artists as Simple Minds). Anyway, if you can bear vintage rock with inaudible bass guitar and drums that sound boxy, plus you have £500 to spare, you might want to search out the vinyl.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Nigel in Bromley @ 00:16 on Jul 9 2011

I have the original on Sonrise and on the lyric insert it says the band came into being in 1974. Did the band really wait 5 years before recording the LP?

Love the album guys.


Reply by Paul Loader in Bristol @ 11:58 on Dec 14 2012

Hi Nigel, We sure did...bearing in mind that four of the albums recording players were barely in our teens when the band was formed. Also back in it's inception Amaziah was a 13 piece choir and a 7 piece backing band....can you imagine the nightmare of recording that....it would have been good to have had a recording on tape of those days though.
Incidentally Straight Talker has been re-issued onto CD by American label Brutal Planet. Remastered with four bonus demo tracks.

[report abuse]


Posted by Billie MacDonald in Not on this planet. @ 20:49 on Aug 22 2009

I am a great Amaziah fan - I was only two when I went to the first gig - been a fan ever since - YOU ROCK DAVE!



Posted by Paul Loader in Bristol @ 10:49 on Aug 20 2009

Hi Guys!!

What a VERY pleasant surprise seeing comments from you both....I have also recently had contact from Alan on Myspace. It's been a VERY long time.

I keep bumping into former members of Amaziah....somebody really needs to add another perspective to these articles as I was only really a very small part of the whole set up.

Guys if you want to drop me a line I am on mudheads@gmail.com.

I'm also still very much in cotact with Dave and Jez...and I occasionaly bump into Richard G.

Heady days!!

Cheers
Paul



Posted by Phil Williams in Doncaster / Lubbock TX @ 15:20 on Jun 15 2009

Well, well - I heard about this from my brother in Philladelphia - yep still got a bunch of these albums in my attic! I think I still have the original test pressing somewhere?
Good to see Derek, Pauls, and Alan's comments - Having played with both 'old format and the new style metal / post punk format of the band I have to say this has certainly brought back some memories and a smile to face!
Several members of Amaziah went on to have careers in the music industry; Jez Coad (as already mentioned), Ken Watts (Rhythm Guitar) - went on to look after George Michael and still does to this day. Andy May (Road Crew) went on as a sound engineer and is still doing Front of House sound for Status Quo. (I met up with him last year when producing Quo events).
As for me, I'm still in the business (currently no longer playing drums due to arthritis) but producing festivals, tours and events and running Ultimate International Ltd. - Lighting for New Wine North after Glastonbury next I believe. Maybe we should arrange a reunion some day!
Be great to catch up and see if we can all still play! - I still go to Bristol occasionally as my mother is still living there (and she's been to hear Paul preach) - and she is still asking me when I'm going to get a real job! - HE IS LORD - Pass it On!



Posted by Alan Tyghe in WIltshire @ 22:25 on Jan 16 2009

Nice to see Amaziah on the Web. Had a great time on tour with Amaziah as their lead guitarist during 1979/1980. What a treat to show my boys (Reuben and Jacob from their Bath band "Port Erin" My space.com/porterin) what dad was up to in the lost mist of good music days. What fun traveling around England, Holland and Northern Ireland in an converted ambulance as our prestige all inclusive tour bus! Met great people and hospitality. Got a few photos of Amaziah in action - What about a reunion ! Long live Portrush rockers ? - Alan Tyghe



Posted by Paul Loader in Bristol @ 15:07 on Jun 18 2008

As another member of the latter days of Amaziah I have written a relection on the final couple of years that will be posted shortly on CR. It would be great if one of the original members (maybe Derek) could do a reflection from their point of view!
It was a blast!



Posted by Derek Elliott in Somerset UK @ 21:34 on Apr 13 2007

As an original member of Amaziah you seem short on information! Straight Talker is now on the rare records listings. Keep up the good work. Derek



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