Getting To This - BLODWYN PIG****

Drive Me/Variations On Nainos/See My Way/Long Bomb Blues/The Squirreling Must Go On/San Francisco Sketches/Worry/Toys/To Rass Man/Send Your Son To Die

Getting To This was the second Blodwyn Pig album release following Mick Abrahams departure from Jethro Tull. The group would split shortly afterwards. (US:96 UK:8)

"Blodwyn Pig split, citing musical differences, before they really managed to establish themselves as one of the great bands of the era. Getting To This was the second and last LP before the split. In contrast to the earlier Ahead Rings Out, which set out to bludgeon its audience with driving blues riffs, the influence of Jack Lancaster's jazzy saxophone is much more strongly felt. It is a sometimes gentle and thoughtful, sometimes rocking fusion of jazz, rock and blues - but this is not jazz-rock in the tradition of the over flared and over funked American bands of the era." "Very good early 70s British blues rock with some fantastic lead guitar. Lots of toe tappers but there are some slower tracks that are not so good. This is a sound guitar oriented blues rock album with a touch of jazz and some sax."

"This was even better than their debut. They seem more focused and coherent overall. The collection's standout is arguably the side one closer The Squirreling Must Go On, possibly a nod to one of Tull fan's favourite Abrahams guitar solos in Cat's Squirrel. Overall, this release finds the band placing more emphasis on blues based material, and less on jazz, with some good hard rockin' cuts, featuring guitar, sax, flute, and a few annoying ballads."

"Guitarist Mick Abrahams has a distinct, personal take on the blues, which can be quirky, but always original, and with an edge. While Pig's music draws from authentic blues roots, Mick infuses it with the vitality of real rock 'n' roll, and a touch of jazz."

"Not a whole deal has changed between the two albums, but there still are a few noticeable differences. It appears that Abrahams likes to rock it a bit more, instead of treading a slow bluesy path. The best of these tracks are See My Way and Send Your Son To Die that combine the elements of Lancaster's high-flying jazz and Abrahams passionate soloing outstandingly well, with their riveting rhythm section. I find the other tracks less interesting.”

"The album is full of masterful rock songs having a strong bluesy flavour and spangled all over with bold jazz notes."