Babe Ruth-First Base (1972)

Babe Ruth were a powerful British progressive hard rock/blues band who, in 1972, released one of the greatest classic rock albums of all time. Formed in 1971 in Hertfordshire, in the east of England, around the talented guitarist Alan Shacklock, the lineup also included singer Janita Hann, keyboardist Dave Punshon, drummer Dick Powell, and bassist Dave Hewitt. In 1972, with a fantastic cover designed by Roger Dean, they released their debut album, "First Base", on EMI Odeon's progressive rock division, Harvest Records. In addition to the band, a large group of musicians played cellos, saxophones, and percussion. This abundance of musicians and instruments gave the album a complex, progressive sound. On "Wells Fardo", the band showcases their energetic style, combining powerful guitar riffs, Hann's vigorous vocals, and wind instruments. In contrast to the latter, there is the melodic "The Runaways", which, influenced by symphonic elements, showcases Babe Ruth's distinctly progressive character. The instrumental "King Kong", another energetic piece of progressive rock, is the prelude to the complex and dark "Black Dog", a song with blues influences and grand piano and guitar arrangements. This magnificent album closes with the galloping "The Mexican" and the expansive progressive jazz-rock "Joker". In the following years, Babe Ruth would release four more albums, some of them highly regarded, such as "Babe Ruth" and "Stealin' Home" (both from 1975), but none would reach the excellence of this formidable "First Base".