Artist: SNAFU
Title: Situation Normal
File: Rock/Funk/Blues
Available for streaming and download now via this link
London-born drummer/vocalist Bobby Harrison was a founder member of Procol Harum, playing on their anthemic hit “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, before leaving to form his first own band Freedom in 1968 with Procol Harum guitarist Ray Royer.
A pop/psych start with a debut release in the band’s original soundtrack to Dino de Laurentis’ film ‘Nero Su Bianco (Black On White’) was to see the band take a harder edge with a line-up review as a power trio characterised by tight three-part harmonising that won audiences on the live circuit and tours with Black Sabbath, Curved Air and Jethro Tull.
Harrison’s next project, SNAFU drew from a mine of contemporary talent with Harrison (vocals/drums) teamed up with Colin Gibson (bass), Peter Solley (keyboards), Terry Popple (drums), Micky Moody (guitar), former members of Skip Bifferty, Ginger Baker’s Airforce, Juicy Lucy, Paladin and Tramline.
A fusion of soulful country rock, blues and hard rock, its self-titled debut was fast followed by 1974’s ‘Situation Normal’, an equally diverse collection taking in hard rock, smooth balladry, retro-jazz funk and even bluegrass.
Drawing comparisons from the Steve Miller Band and Iron Butterfly to Little Feat and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band became a popular support act and toured with The Eagles, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Status Quo, Deep Purple, The Doobie Brothers and Nazareth, amongst others.
SNAFU were to go on to record a further album in ‘All Funked Up’ when guitarist Moody left to join Whitesnake and the band folded.
Tracks:
- No More
- No Bitter Taste
- Brown Eyed Beauty & The Blue Assed Fly
- Lock And Key
- Big Dog Lusty
- Playboy Blues
- Jessie Lee
- Ragtime Doll