If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules

Between 1971 and 1975 Welsh trio Budgie had recorded 5 albums that years later would become classics among music historians "in the know". For those who wanted more than the early Sabbath, Zep, or Purple albums, Budgie were the perfect blend of raw sludgy heavy rock and eccentric creativity. Burke Shelly's Geddy Lee-esque wail and Tony Bourge's classy albeit heavy riffs have drawn many comparisons to Rush and Sabbath. Although they are definitely in a class of their own. On their latest album they had signed with A&M Records to release Bandolier. Critics who praise the bands early albums seem to really dislike anything Budgie did after them. 1976's If I Were A Brittania Id Waive The Rules is an interesting change in the bands sound. In other words, it was their "experimental" album. It doesn't stray from their usual brand of hard rock but it does however try some things that don't hold up as well as past gems and at times seems a little uninspired. If you're really a hardcore fan of the group this is an album for you although for fans of more straightforward plodding "pre-metal" the first 4-5 albums should be good enough. Drummer Steve Williams who joined for the previous album Bandolier, really had a more diverse and tighter style than ex drummers Ray Phillips and Pete Boot and was probably another reason the band was able to veer off into a more diverse territory. The record starts off with Anne Neggan. Revealing a more downgraded basic rock approach.The title track starts off with a nice in your face riff, then goes off into odd territory with chugging jazz type rhythms topped off with cool harmonies, then has another chipper 3rd section, good guitar work all throughout. One of the better songs comes with You're Opening Doors, a dreamy somewhat Beatle-esque tune with more great guitar playing that in it's second half switches styles and turns into a weird disco-rock hybrid section, the funk influence only hinted at on the previous album are fully realized here. Despite the mood killer 2nd half, the first bit is a definite highlight. It is worthwhile to mention that dance and disco music was rearing it's ugly head around this time and while it never seemed that Budgie would cater to the mainstream tastes, they had always flirted with funkier rhythms starting with the 2nd album but by this point it really becomes the focal point. In the liner notes it states Burke Shelly was really into the Little Feat and other similar funk/blues inspired rock bands. Other tracks like Sky High Percentage and Quacktors and Bureaucrats are decent songs. With Sky High featuring some cool riffs from Bourge. Where as the acoustic bits on their best works were seemingly segue-way breath catchers (despite most being very well done songs) it's the rockers that take back seat to the slow numbers here. The major gems being Heaven Knows Your Name, a truly beautiful acoustic piece featuring some very elegant playing from Bourge that truly reveals what a master he was. It's the best song on the record. And the 8 minute closer Black Velvet Stallion. Although some might find it boring half way through it also features some great Tony Bourge guitar harmonies and soloing. The more quiet/prog-rock feel of it is solid. And makes for a highly underrated song. Although it starts slow, give it a chance. As with most of this album, it takes a few listens to really appreciate it, there are only bits of the heavy rock from the bands past here and there.The next album would see them following a similar blueprint, but for the most part abandoning the more experimental aspects done here. Brittania is definitely the band's weakest album as far as the Tony Bourge era goes. Less metal and more simplified straight ahead rock and funky rhythms. Budgie nonetheless offers a nice batch of rockers with a different approach, hardcore fans still need to hear it

Black Velvet Stallion is a great song

Saw them in 1978 just out of high school winning some tickets to A & M Recording Studios in the old Charlie Chaplin studio there off the radio station KNAC when they had "Import Hour"on(miss that so much). A rare band that deserved so much more back then with their talents that were ahead of their time on the music and lyrics. Only since to later 80's with bands like Metallica doing some covers of them did the puplic really get to appreciate these rare progressive rock offerings.Wish could find some picture of that concert... Any way every song is a fantastic one on this album with a peak of "heaven knows our name" Work of art there....Hopefully the cycle of true progressive rock and all the work it takes to pull off will come back some day.....

They did enter another phase of fine arranging and producing. It started on BANDOLIER and got refined here.A little funky in the rhythm but still has some heavy crunch.Tony Bourge does errupt his trade mark sludge here and there, but this was the late 70's and funk and dance was creepin and cross breeding into all the acts on major labels. This was the first major on A & M in America and the kiss of death of course. They did one more with Tony and than went into Budgie- mach 4...

This is'nt as good as "Bandolier", but it's pretty darn close. It is a continuation of great music from one of the most critically neglected bands in rock and roll history. With songs like the title track, "Sky High Percentage" and my favorite, "Black Velvet Stallion", they prove again their worthiness to stand alongside the best hard rock bands in history. If one has never heard or even heard of Budgie, one would do well to take a chance on this great band. I doubt one would be disappointed.

Building the old collection on discs. Real Classic Rock !!!

5*

The Best CD By Budgie

Such a shame this is a polarising album,cos i just love that title,its certainly not,in my opinion a 5 star album but it aint bad enough to be 1 star either.Lacklustre is the best description,the band tried something different and it didnt work,the best tracks are 'Sky High Percentage',5th track in before we gat any real guitar riff and album closer 'Black Velvet Stallion',a belter of a track which deserved to be on a better album.The rest ,apart from a moment here or there are bang averag,'Anne Neggen' might just be the worst album opener they ever done, poor with a sub par Quo beat,the title track just plods aimlessly and 'Heaven Knows Our Name' which opens with some beautiful acoustic playing is about 2 minutes too long.This remastered edition has 2 bonus tracks,recorded in 2006,decent nothing outstanding.The audio is excellent on the disc and the booklet really excellent.Thankfully this wasnt the first Budgie album i heard or i might just have flown away to pastures new.

This was budgies sixth album and i think its quite good many good tracks here including "anne neggen""your opening doors"and "if i were brittania i,d waive the rules" but they are just my favorites every track is a gem on here buy it and you will see why.

Great album and service.

Absolute classic Welsh Rockers from the 70s! Great album. Buy it.

Great album by my favourite band.