When the conversation turns to early 70's rock (as it frequently does with me, sad old git that I've become) the usual suspects like Led Zep, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc etc always crop up.
Budgie, from Cardiff, on the other hand, have been largely forgotten except amongst their few loyal fans. Mention Budgie to the (middle aged) man or woman on the street and they'll either think of their ageing grandmother's pet bird or they might, just might, remember the sole mainstream success the band ever had, Breadfan. On the other hand, if you were to mention Breadfan first, most people would probably think of Metallica's cover rather than the original!
Which is a pity, because Budgie are a great, underrated band, still gigging today, who deserve greater recognition. Any of their early albums, except maybe the first, Budgie [1971], which is a bit monotonous, would be a good introduction to them. I haven't heard their late 70's and 80's output because I'm not keen on rock from this era with a few notable exceptions. Never Turn Your Back... is their third offering and, in my opinion, one of their best.
First track Breadfan would be a fairly "cooking" early heavy metal number if it weren't for the delicious, typically Budgie, quiet bit in the middle, a song within a song, featuring Burke Shelley's haunting high pitched singing, before the song suddenly lurches back to being heavy metal again.
Next up, Baby Please Don't Go, obviously a cover, is a fast paced rock'n'roll number featuring all the band's skills.
You Know I'll Always Love You is a slow number. Budgie do "slow and evocative" like no other rock band of the time that I, at least, have heard, with very simple singing and sublime guitar backing.
You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk (a typical Budgie tongue-in-cheek name) starts with Ray Phillips on drums (fed through a flanging effect box) doing an enjoyable solo before the rest of the band comes in for a catchy straightforward rock bash.
In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand, another classic Budgie title, features a simple but very catchy double guitar riff which keeps re-appearing throughout the track. This is followed by Riding My Nightmare.
The final track is Parents, the stand-out track on the album to my mind. It features Shelley's haunting voice and some very cool guitar playing to match. The lyrics are interesting, being recollections of early childhood, though perhaps sounding a bit "twee" in these cynical times. As the track progresses, the elegant laid back guitar licks change to powerful full-on rock guitar accompanied by wierd electronic seagull-like noises, before returning again to where it started with Shelley's quiet singing followed finally by a crashing rocky ending with soaring guitar and "seagulls"! A superb 11 minute journey which I never tire of listening to.
If you're into super slick sophisticated rock, or early prog, forget Budgie, it won't be for you. If you like your metal continuously loud and thrashy, again, it won't be for you, though you could try the first album. But, if you, like me, prefer melodic rock with big, simple, riffs and hooks, and appreciate gentle bits between the loud bits, Budgie might be right up your street! No harm giving it a go, even nearly 40 years after the event!
Oh, and I haven't even touched on the fantastic Budgie album covers...
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