Rock Archeologia

HIGHWAY (UK). Vocals: Jon Elstar / 2 LP Ⓟ 1974 EMI Records Ltd.

☆☆☆ ☆☆☆

•  Группа Highway была сформирована в 1973 году экс-басистом Неаven Джоном Гордоном и экс-барабанщиком Сolt Comfort Иэном Байроном. Начинали на разогреве у Black Sabbath, на гастролях в декабре 1973 года. Группой Highway записано два альбома на EMI Records: одноименный в 1974 году и "Smoking at the Edges" в 1975-м (по другим источникам - в том же 1974 году). Позже их гитарист Рэй Минхиннит работал с шотландцем Френки Миллером на его альбоме 1977 года "Full House", сотрудничал с бывшими участниками группы Argent, а также с гитаристом Уайтснейка Микки Мади в 1998-м. Джон Гордон работал позже с Роджером Уотерсом на альбоме When The Wind Blows. Вокалист Джон Элстар играл на гармонике на альбомах Black Sabbath (в частности "Never Say Die"), The Pretty Things и Kim Fowley.

• Mid 70's Rock act formed by ex-COLD COMFORT drummer Ian Byron and former HEAVEN bassist John Gordon. The band scored exposure in the UK by acting as support to BLACK SABBATH's December 1973 tour. HIGHWAY released two albums for EMI Records, 1974's 'Highway' and 1975's 'Smoking At The Edge'.
• HIGHWAY guitarist Ray Minhinnit later worked with Scotsman FRANKIE MILLER on his 1977 'Full House' album and joined former ARGENT personell in PHOENIX during 1980 and in Blues band THE UK BUSTERS in 1989. The 90's found Minhinnit working with ex-WHITESNAKE guitarist MICKY MOODY on the 1998 MINHINNIT, YOUNG & MOODY project album.
• Gordon wound up playing with erstwhile PINK FLOYD man ROGER WATERS on his 'When The Wind Blows' album. Vocalist John Elstar played a small part in the history of BLACK SABBATH adding harmonica touchs to their 1978 album 'Never Say Die'. In the early eighties Elstar fronted a short-lived London outfit dubbed INFORMER, involving ex-SIDEWINDER and STALLION guitarist Stuart Smith, WHITESNAKE bassist Neil Murray and a pre-IRON MAIDEN Nicko McBrain.

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Highway - Highway 1974

Band: Highway(UK)
Album: Highway
Label: EMI, Vinyl, LP
Catalog#: EMC 3019
Released: 1974
Country: UK
Genre: Rock, Acid Rock, Blues Rock
Format / BiTrate: MP3 / 192 kbps
Total Time: 00:42:53

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           •  Tracklist:

        01. Silver City 05:51        
        02. Song For A Friend 06:33
        03. Cajun Queen 05:59
        04. Blinds Me 04:35
        05. Ready! 03:15
        06. Down By The Wishing Well 05:13
        07. Wee Wee Baby 05:36
        08. Same Old Dream 05:48

Credits:
GBass – John Gordon; Drums – Ian Byron
Engineer – Alan O'Duffy, Frank Owen, Tony Platt
Guitar – Mick Grabham (tracks: B3), Ray Minhinnett
 Keyboards – Jim Hall; Lead Vocals – Jon Elstar
Producer – David Sandison

Recorded and mixed at Island Studios and Olympic Sound Studios.

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Smoking at the Edges

Band: Highway
Album: Smoking at the Edges
Ⓟ 1974 EMI Records Ltd.
Catalog#: EMA 770
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Genre: Rock, Acid Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Format / BiTrate: MP3 / 320 kbps
Total Time: 00:39:35

   
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There's many a musical curiosity in the Vinyl Vault and many of them have a story. This album from Highway didn't exactly set the world alight at the time but it does have a strong connection to Glasgow as Ray Minhinnett (lead guitar and vocals) and Jim Hall (keyboards) later set up shop with one Frankie Miller to form Frankie Miller's Full House. See, you can always connect quality music to Glasgow if you try…
 Musically, this is an album of blues rock much as you would expect from long haired musicians of the time. It's a little bit Free, a little bit Allman Brothers and even a little bit Gram Parsons. They just didn't write little songs - come to think of it, why would you anyay? - in those days and practically every song could be a stadium anthem with "Quantrill's Men" having truly epic qualities. Jon Elstar's vocals are those of a rock leading man and even when he is being playful, as in the country rock flavoured "Anna Lee", he stamps his authority on the proceedings. P.P. Arnold even guests on this album and makes a very welcome contribution too but it's the snarling blues guitar of Ray Minhinnett really makes ts album. Keeping it real, that's what it is.
A brief bit of research indicated that Ray Minhinnett is still playing the blues like the devil has got his soul. Cream always rises to the top (and stays there!), so it would seem. Despite the glorious vinyl sound on this original copy (complete with textured gatefold sleeve), it would be nice to see this album gain a new audience with a shiny, remastered CD reissue. It is also a reminder that big record companies did once allow their artists the luxury of actually making music. Top stuff!
~ Review by Bluesbunny

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          •  Tracklist:

        01. No Need To Run
        02. Better Times
        03. Heaven's End
        04. Quantrill's Men
        05. Anna Lee
        06. Cell Block 4
        07. Don't Turn Your Light On
        08. Natural Born Gun
        09. One Sad Song

Credits:
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Jon Elstar; Bass – John Gordon; Drums – Ian Byron;
Guitar, Vocals – Ray Minhinnett; Keyboards – Jim Hall.

Produced by Highway and Alan O'Duffy
Sprcial Thanks to P.P. Arnold
Master at Abbey Road Studios by Richard
Sleeve Design, Photography by Mick Rock
Graphics by Robin Bouttell and Ray Campbell

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