Colosseum II

Colosseum II are a British band who rose from the ashes of the original Colosseum. Formed by the drummer of Colosseum Jon Hiseman in 1975, the new line-up featured Don Airey, Gary Moore, Neil Murray and Mike Starrs. The sound was oriented toward Jazz fusion, much of which was based around the guitar work of Moore, leading to a much heavier sound than the original Colosseum band. After disappointing sales of the first album, Murray and Starrs were unceremoniously sacked by the bands record label. (Bronze) The band continued with a new record label and a new bass player (John Mole), and recorded 2 further largely instrumental (and still commercially unsuccessful) albums. The band decided to end the project in 1978, with Moore joining Thin Lizzy for a fourth spell. In 1978 they collaborated again, on the album Variations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, which also featured Julian Lloyd Webber on cello, Rod Argent on keyboards and Hiseman's wife, Barbara Thompson, on flute and sax. This album reached Number 2 on the UK charts.

Line-up

• Don Airey - Grand Piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, Solina String Ensemble
• Jon Hiseman - Percussion, Drums
• Gary Moore - Guitars, Vocals
• John Mole - Bass (1976-1978)
• Neil Murray - Bass (1975-1976)
• Mike Starrs - Vocals (1975-1976)

Strange New Flesh

Strange New Flesh is a 1976 album by Colosseum II^[1].

Track listing

1. "Dark Side of the Moog" (instrumental) – 6:22
2. "Down to You" – 9:10
3. "Gemini and Leo" – 4:50
4. "Secret Places" – 4:00
5. "On Second Thoughts" – 7:29
6. "Winds" – 10:25

Personnel

• Don Airey - Synthesizer, Keyboards
• Jon Hiseman - Percussion, Drums
• Gary Moore - Guitars, Vocals
• Neil Murray - Bass
• Mike Starrs - Vocals

Electric Savage

Electric Savage is a 1977 album by Colosseum II^[2]. All tracks are instrumental except track 3 which is sung by Gary Moore.

Track listing

1. "Put It This Way" – 4:55
2. "All Skin & Bone" – 3:46
3. "Rivers" – 5:50
4. "The Scorch" – 6:02
5. "Lament" – 4:40
6. "Desperado" – 5:59
7. "Am I" – 4:16
8. "Intergalactic Strut" – 5:58

===Personnel

• Don Airey - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Clavinet
• Jon Hiseman - Percussion, Cymbals, Drums, Gong, Bells
• John Mole - Bass
• Gary Moore - Guitars, Vocals

War Dance

War Dance is a 1977 album by Colosseum II^[3]. All tracks are instrumental except track 4 which is sung by Gary Moore.

Track listing

1. "War Dance" – 5:56
2. "Major Keys" – 5:10
3. "Put It That Way" – 3:37
4. "Castles" – 5:40
5. "Fighting Talk" – 5:50
6. "The Inquisition" – 5:45
7. "Star Maiden/Mysterioso/Quasar" – 6:15
8. "Last Exit" – 3:22

Personnel

• Don Airey - Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Clavinet, Bells
• Jon Hiseman - Percussion, Cymbals, Drums, Gong
• John Mole - Bass, Piano
• Gary Moore - Guitars, Vocals

References

External links

• Allmusic.com: Biography
• Billboard.com: Discography

This article on a United Kingdom band or other musical ensemble is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

This jazz-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.