SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLODWYN PIG – THE RECORDINGS 1969-1974

BLODWYN PIG
THE RECORDINGS 1969-1974
CHERRY RED RECORDS

Jethro Tull released their debut album in 1968, titled This Was. Shortly after the release, guitarist Mick Abrahams left the band to embark on his own solo career and play a more blues-based rock. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was leaning towards incorporating more folk and rock in their sound, leaving behind the blues influenced rock of their debut album. Although there were no ‘Mick Abrahams is God’ statements spray painted around London, he has always been recognized as one of the great guitarists of that era. He formed the band Blodwyn Pig, and they released their debut album in 1969. By 1970, following their second album, Blodwyn Pig had run its course and basically split. It is worth noting that both albums made the U.K. top 10 album charts and were incredibly well received commercially and critically at the time of their releases.

Listening to the two albums in 2026, one can see why they were so loved. This is gritty, blues-rock, played to perfection with conviction in the vocals. Those two albums are now assembled into one fantastic box set by Cherry Red Records. The Recordings 1969-1974 includes their studio output (including bonus tracks) and one CD of BBC sessions. It is an opportunity to have an instant Blodwyn Pig in your collection. The original albums are pure classic rock-blues. Although they were part of that scene in London, the music is different from say Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac) or Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck. Abrahams incorporates saxophone and flute into the blues. Listen to “Sweet Caroline” and listen to the interchange between saxophone and guitar.

A song like “See My Way” is beautiful in their simple arrangement and has more in common with Rory Gallagher than Jimmy Page. And just when you think you have the song figured out, it goes into a high power, almost metal ending. It is brilliant. Again, the horn arrangement is brief in the song but adds a great deal.

Fans of the band will most likely have their first two albums, so it is the bonus tracks associated with each album that will stand out for them as well as the third CD of BBC sessions, including songs from John Peel Sessions and Radio 1 In Concert. These songs were recorded in 1974. The band reformed several times during the 1970s, sometimes without Abrahams and sometimes he was part of the band. The same can be said of the 1974 John Peel Sessions. They sound great and are a welcome to their catalogue. Two tracks of BBC sessions do not include Abrahams (“Moon’s Gone” and “Lady Of Liberty”), both of which feature Peter Banks. Still, they are both worth listening to and give a small glimpse into one other area of the band’s history.

The rock world lost Abrahams in December of last year. A seriously underrated guitarist, vocalist and composer who in the last few years was never really given his due. That is corrected with this release, which was in the works well before he passed away. The Recordings 1969-1974 is an opportunity for blues-rock fans to catch up and hear what they may have been missing for all these years. It is also a chance for their fans to hear some previously unreleased gems and add to their collection. Either way, The Recordings 1969-1974 is the sound of a group that understood and could play blues-rock. Their sound was their own and has aged remarkably well. The packaging and booklet provide a detailed account of the band and is a brilliant source to their history. The Recordings 1969-1974 is a brilliant compilation.

Artist Links