Thread: IF

**mx20** · 12-07-2016

Originally Posted by Progbear

Actually, one of my favorite features of If was their vocalist, John W. Hodkinson. He was really damned good! Later turned up in (Darryl Way’s) Wolf, singing on their Night Music LP.

I just recently heard Night Music for the first time and was struck by Hodgkinson's vocals, particularly on the second track (which I think he co-wrote). Never warmed to IF, for some reason. Had them on 8-track back in the day.

**Lino** · 12-08-2016

2,3, and the live one "Waterfall" are excellent.

this could be my fave sax song of all time....brilliant

https://youtu.be/x87tMqo1Ahw

**Watanabe** · 12-09-2016

IF had some great players in the band.

Terry Smith was one of the best straight-ahead jazz guitar improvisers in the UK before moving into rock with if, and he developed a really distinctive style in that context which was quite different from other jazz guys crossing over...much more of a slowly-building, tension and release approach to phrasing than the machine gun route taken by Johnny Mac, Coryell etc. Lots of subtle psychedelic flourishes with the wah and volume pedal, he sometimes sounded like a much more schooled version of west-coast psych guys like Cippo, Garcia and Kaukonen.

Morrissey was one of the best tenor players Britain had produced to that point.

A great "vibe" and players band, but just lacked that really consistent songwriting which could have propelled them further into the mainstream ala BST(terrible after their first album imo) and Chicago.They seemed to run out of steam after the first 2 albums on that front.

**Rufus** · 12-09-2016

Originally Posted by Watanabe

IF had some great players in the band.

Terry Smith was one of the best straight-ahead jazz guitar improvisers in the UK before moving into rock with if, and he developed a really distinctive style in that context which was quite different from other jazz guys crossing over...much more of a slowly-building, tension and release approach to phrasing than the machine gun route taken by Johnny Mac, Coryell etc. Lots of subtle psychedelic flourishes with the wah and volume pedal, he sometimes sounded like a much more schooled version of west-coast psych guys like Cippo, Garcia and Kaukonen.

Morrissey was one of the best tenor players Britain had produced to that point.

A great "vibe" and players band, but just lacked that really consistent songwriting which could have propelled them further into the mainstream ala BST(terrible after their first album imo) and Chicago.They seemed to run out of steam after the first 2 albums on that front.

How does the album with Dave Greenslade compare. Is it more keyboard driven i.e. less 'brass'?

**Watanabe** · 12-09-2016

I don't remember Greenslade being on any of the albums, but i can't recall the lineups after 4 exactly, he may have been on a track or two.The excellent John Mealing provides plenty of good keyboard on the first 4, though tends to be in a supporting role compared to the guitar and sax.He's a strong soloist when he does cut loose.

**Jay.Dee** · 12-09-2016

Originally Posted by Watanabe

A great "vibe" and players band, but just lacked that really consistent songwriting which could have propelled them further into the mainstream ala BST(terrible after their first album imo)

Blood Sweat & Tears were IMO often far from terrible after their first LP. Here are some longer tracks off their later albums:

Snow Queen/Maiden Voyage '72: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6CNcH7vMII
Mirror Image '74: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3rzW4KFSWw
Spanish Wine '80: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESYDYKvrwYA

**yoyiceu** · 12-09-2016

Originally Posted by Watanabe

I don't remember Greenslade being on any of the albums, but i can't recall the lineups after 4 exactly, he may have been on a track or two.The excellent John Mealing provides plenty of good keyboard on the first 4, though tends to be in a supporting role compared to the guitar and sax.He's a strong soloist when he does cut loose.