Son Of Gutbucket

Son Of Gutbucket

Son Of Gutbucket is a fascinating snapshot of the late-1960s and early-1970s British underground, bringing together blues, psychedelic rock, folk, country blues and progressive music across one eclectic compilation. Featuring established names alongside lesser-known cult acts, the album captures the adventurous spirit of the era when British musicians were pushing traditional American blues and roots music into increasingly experimental territory.

The compilation includes an impressive selection of artists, ranging from American blues-rock heavyweights such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Winter and Canned Heat to key figures from the British underground including Roy Harper, The Groundhogs, High Tide, Jo-Ann Kelly & Tony McPhee and Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation.

Side A opens with Creedence Clearwater Revival's driving Bootleg, followed by Ian Anderson's Country Blues Band and the blistering blues of Johnny Winter on I Got Love If You Want It. The brief Preparation G from T.I.M.E. leads into High Tide's atmospheric Walking Down Their Outlook, before Jo-Ann Kelly and Groundhogs guitarist Tony McPhee deliver the haunting traditional blues number Oh Death.

The side continues with Floating Bridge, Roy Harper's evocative Sergeant Sunshine, and The Groundhogs' hard-edged interpretation of Mistreated. The combination of blues, folk and heavier psychedelic rock gives the first side a particularly strong representation of the underground music scene of the period.

Side B moves between American blues influences and British eccentricity. Canned Heat's Sic 'Em Pigs is followed by Andy Fernbach's Hard Headed Woman and McKenna Mendelson Mainline's raw T.B. Blues. Famous Jug Band provide a more traditional roots feel with Sunshine Possibilities, while the psychedelic-pop credentials of Birmingham's Idle Race appear on Hurry Up John.

The eccentric Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts contribute I'm So Tired, followed by another appearance from T.I.M.E. with Leavin' My Home. The compilation closes with Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation's Sugar On The Line, bringing the record back to the heavy blues-rock sound that runs throughout much of the collection.

What makes Son Of Gutbucket particularly appealing is the breadth of music contained within it. Rather than being a straightforward blues compilation, it explores the cross-pollination of blues, folk, country, psychedelia and progressive rock that characterised Britain's underground music scene around the turn of the 1970s.

For collectors of British blues vinyl, psychedelic rock, blues rock and obscure 1960s/70s compilations, this is an especially interesting release. The presence of artists such as Roy Harper, High Tide, The Groundhogs, Jo-Ann Kelly, Canned Heat, Johnny Winter and Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation makes it a compelling listen for anyone exploring the roots of British progressive and underground rock.

A wonderfully eclectic period compilation, Son Of Gutbucket is ideal for listeners who enjoy digging beyond the obvious classics and discovering the raw, experimental and blues-soaked sound of the late-1960s underground.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bootleg – 2:58
2. Ian Anderson's Country Blues Band – My Babe She Ain't Nothing But A Doggone Crazy Fool Mumble – 2:48
3. Johnny Winter – I Got Love If You Want It – 3:52
4. T.I.M.E. – Preparation G – 0:53
5. High Tide – Walking Down Their Outlook – 3:45
6. Jo-Ann Kelly & Tony McPhee – Oh Death – 3:13
7. Floating Bridge – Don't Mean A Thing – 2:14
8. Roy Harper – Sergeant Sunshine – 2:55
9. The Groundhogs – Mistreated – 4:00

Side B

1. Canned Heat – Sic 'Em Pigs – 2:41
2. Andy Fernbach – Hard Headed Woman – 3:50
3. McKenna Mendelson Mainline – T.B. Blues – 2:05
4. Famous Jug Band – Sunshine Possibilities – 3:05
5. Idle Race – Hurry Up John – 3:30
6. Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts – I'm So Tired – 3:10
7. T.I.M.E. – Leavin' My Home – 3:09
8. Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation – Sugar On The Line – 3:00