STUD - September
I have now got Stud's second album from 1972 and am able to compare and contrast it to their debut. While the first was competent heavy rock, this one has a more country influence, with tracks like 'Good Things' loping along with a distinct Band feel to them. 'Life Without Music' is the first time that we hear the guitar-work that was an impressive part of their first album, while 'Samurai' and 'Five To Mid-day' are back to the country-rock of the first few songs, before 'Prelude' (a short guitar instrumental) heralds the lovely violin-led 'Bad Handlin''. 'Ocean Boogie' is actually a gentle ballad, and the up-beat 'Red Wine' - with its down-home fiddle - ends the album on a good-time note. Because the original albums were only issued in Germany vinyl copies are quite hard to come by, with their first two albums fetching £25 apiece. Of the two albums that I have heard I would say that their debut is worth that, and I prefer it of the two, but this one has some fine songs on it, and is now available on a two-for-one CD with their £20 rated 1973 live album.