Black Cat Bones-Barbed Wire Sandwich (1970)

"Barbed Wire Sandwich" was the only recording by Black Cat Bones, a British band formed in 1966. For a time, they served as the backing band for several veteran American bluesmen who experienced a resurgence in England thanks to the blues revival, particularly Champion Jack Dupree. The original Black Cat Bones lineup included guitarist Paul Kossoff, drummer Terry Sims, vocalist Paul Tiller, bassist Stuart Brooks, and his brother, guitarist Derek Brooks. Some time later, drummer Simon Kirke replaced Sims. Thanks to Blues Horizon label owner Mike Vernon, they secured a role as the backing band for Champion Jack Dupree on a UK tour. After the tour, Simon Kirke and Paul Kossoff left the band to join Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser in forming the core of Free. With a new lineup featuring Brian Short on vocals, Rod Price on guitar, drummer Phil Lenoir, Stu Books on bass, and rhythm guitarist Derek Brooks, Black Cat Bones entered the studio to record their debut album, which would be released by Deram Records, the progressive rock division of Decca Records. "Barbed Wire Sandwich", released in 1970, is an album built on a series of compositions with simple yet effective and irresistible structures. Price's guitar work is commendable, with a sound that is simultaneously refined, sharp, raw, and saturated, featuring heavy and powerful riffs. From the opening track, "Chaffeur", a robust heavy blues number, followed by the superb "Death Valley Blues" and the dense "Save My Love" and "Good Lookin' Woman", Black Cat Bones displays enviable consistency and a solid synergy among all its members. However, the psychedelic "Four Women" and the acoustic blues "Sylverrster's Blues" differ considerably from the rest of the album, detracting somewhat from the coherence and balance of the final result. Even so, "Barbed Wire Sandwich" is one of the most interesting British heavy blues albums of the late 60s, and despite its horrendous cover (one of the ugliest ever made), its legacy has endured as the seed for many subsequent bands and those nostalgic for an era they never experienced.