Streetwalkers-Red Card (1976)

After the breakup of Family, two of its members, Roger Chapman and John Whitney, formed Streetwalkers, a group that followed a similar stylistic pattern to its predecessor. Originally called the Chapman Whitney Band, after signing with Reprise Records, they recorded the album "Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers", with a lineup that also included other former Family members such as Ric Grech and John Wetton, as well as former King Crimson members Mel Collins, Ian Wallace, and Michael Giles. After several concerts in Great Britain, the group changed its name to Streetwalkers, with the addition of drummer Nicko McBrain. "Downtown Flyers" was Streetwalkers' debut album, which had little impact in the United States, but was very well received in Europe. A year later, they released "Red Card", which achieved considerable success on the British charts. For this album, the band had expanded with guitarist Bobby Tench (formerly of Jeff Beck) and bassist Jon Plotel. The reception of this splendid second album led to them being chosen for various tours across England alongside Outlaws, Little Feat, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and The Who. "Red Card" comprises a repertoire of infectious, classic-rock-oriented songs, with Chapman's raspy vocals as the main attraction. The opening groove of "Run For Cover", the spontaneous and carefree "Roll Up Roll Up", the bluesy groove of "Me An' Me Horse An' Me Rum", the magnificent "Shotgun Messiah" and "Decadence Code", and the hypnotic "Crazy Charade" are all part of one of the gems of the best British rock of the 70s.