Cozy Powell – Octopuss

Details: 2009 (original release 1983), Lemon, CD

Probably the only drummer capable of encouraging any sort of anticipation for the in-concert drum solo, Cozy Powell is also one of very few who has carved out something of a successful solo career too although wisely, he kept his talents firmly behind the drum stool and didn’t make for the microphone! This album, originally released just over 25 years ago finds the then Whitesnake man leading a collection of musicians including the excellent Mel Galley, other fellow ‘Snakes Colin “Bomber” Hodgkinson and Jon Lord, and ex-Rainbow colleague Don Airey through eight instrumental numbers and style-wise, through a few different flavours to boot.

The best known piece on here will surely be “633 Squadron”.  Powell’s version finds him battering hell out of his set in accompaniment to the military piece drawn from the classic war film’s soundtrack.  A piece of music which alongside a similarly treated “1812 Overture” made for a much more interesting drum solo than the usual five minute chance to nip to the bar/bog.  Here in studio form it loses none of its power whilst maintaining much of the military pomp that makes it such a memorable piece and although a diversion from most rock fans usual listening proves stirring, powerful and thoroughly enjoyable. “The Big Country” is similar stuff, another overblown soundtrack piece,  only this time of course with a Western flavour.

Elsewhere, amongst some material that occasionally strays a little far at times into jazz-rock territory for me, there’s still the impressive Gary Moore enhanced “Dartmoore” and the classic rock fare of  “Formula One” to enjoy.  There’s also a rare co-write with David Coverdale (in fact the only Coverdale/Powell credit if I remember correctly) entitled “The Rattler” which you feel that was at least worthy of the addition of lyrics and could have therefore become a decent Whitesnake track… or maybe in an alternate universe it became that bands follow up to “Belgian Tom’s Hat-trick”?

Of course, an all instrumental album, with the drummer as the focal point isn’t going to be every person’s selection of choice when it comes to choosing a disc for the car, but spun at the right time this is actually a good listen.  Cozy Powell will always be best remembered for his work in Rainbow, MSG, Whitesnake and Black Sabbath amongst many others but “The Octopuss” is also a decent reminder of the abilities of one of rock music’s best known and most missed stars.

Highlight: 633 Squadron

Score: 3/5

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