Cherry Red Records have recently released a CD set devoted to UK blues rockers Blodwyn Pig. Formed by original Jethro Tull guitarist Mick Abrahams, the band would release only two albums before calling it at day in the early 1970s. This, along with another set devoted to Abrahams’ solo career, are being released three months after the guitarist’s death in December 2025. The new set, The Recordings, features newly remastered versions of the band’s two albums. This is another good release from Cherry Red and well worth exploring.
A Little Bit of History
Blodwyn Pig were formed by Mick Abrahams in 1968. Abrahams appeared on the first Jethro Tull album, This Was. From multiple sources, Tull frontman Ian Anderson and Abrahams argued about the musical direction of the band. This would result in Abrahams leaving Tull and forming Blodwyn Pig. Along with Abrahams, Blodwyn Pig consisted of bassist Andy Pyle, drummer Ron Berg and saxophonist Jack Lancaster.
The Albums
Ahead Rings Out (1969)
Released in 1969, Ahead Ring Out is a solid debut album. The band are all in fine form and churn out some good blue/jazz based rock music. That being said, the album isn’t without its flaws: the album does slag in the middle and some of the songs are really slow. Even then, this is a good album.
Rating: 6.5/10
Favorite Songs: It’s Only Love, Sing Me A Song I Know, Ain’t You Comin’ Home Babe, Leave It With Me
Getting To This (1970)
The band’s sophomore effort feel more of a rock-based album compared to the debut, possibly making this a better album. It has a psychedelic element thrown in the mix, which is nice. Similar to the debut, it’s not without its weaknesses: there’s some pointless songs (Long Bomb Blues) and some unfortunate ones (To Rassman). Aside from that, the second album is good.
Rating: 7/10
Favorite Songs: Drive Me, The Squirreling Must Go On, Worry, Send Your Son To Die
Blodwyn Pig would disband in 1970, with Abrahams going solo and the other members going on to other musical projects. Most notably, Andy Pyle would join the Kinks during the 1970s. Blodwyn Pig would reunite on/off over the years. In the 1990s, the band released two reunion albums as Mick Abrahams’ Blodwyn Pig.
Extras
Along with new remasterings of the two albums, there is third disc of BBC sessions and bonus tracks on each of the main two albums. As for the BBC sessions, the songs from the two albums don’t differ too much from the originals. The later parts of the disc, however, are especially interesting
- Track 6 and 7 are two songs from a time after Mick Abrahams left the band and was replaced by original Yes guitarist Peter Banks and guitarist Barry Reynolds.
- Track 8 thru 16 are from two separate shows the band played in 1974, four years after their split. Abrahams, Lancaster and Pyle are all present with original Tull drummer Clive Bunker.
Conclusion
As a whole, The Recordings is another stellar release from Cherry Red Records. While the albums vary in quality, this is a great set with all of the band’s earlier work on three discs. Along with the music, there’s a booklet with liner notes written by Steve Plinkington. If you’re new to the band’s music, this is a perfect introduction.
Overall Rating: 7/10
I'm a writer/journalist with a passion for music and pop culture. Having graduated from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2014, I've been looking for a platform in which I can share my passions. Since 2009, I've been posting to my own blog- The Walrus' Music Blog- via Blogger. I'm also the author of two self-published books, "The Camp: Stories from the Summer" and "The College: Stories from King's." Together, the two books cover the story of my life from 2004 to 2014. I've been lucky enough to interview several of my favorite musicians over the years and go to concerts from time to time. I'm also very devoted to the CBS reality TV show Survivor, which I started watching in 2002 when its fourth season started. I currently live in New Jersey.