The Bedlam Anthology

6CD anthology of Brit hard rock pioneers Bedlam, an early Cozy Powell venture that ended when he left in 1974 for a solo career.• Includes original and new mixes of their highly-regarded 1973 album for the Chrysalis label as well as live recordings and studio out-takes.

Issued in the summer of 1973, the self-titled debut album by Bedlam is regarded by admirers as a cornerstone of early 70s British hard rock, described by collector guidebook Galactic Ramble as “buried treasure” for metal fans.

A later incarnation of West Midlands turn-of-the-decade rockers Big Bertha (actually The Ace Kefford Stand minus ex-Move man Ace), Bedlam comprised brothers Dave and Denny Ball, former Jeff Beck drummer Cozy Powell and singer Frank Aiello, previously half of mid-60s mod duo The Truth.

Unfortunately, the band collapsed in 1974 when Powell and Aiello opted to sign with Mickie Most after Cozy scored a Top Three single with ‘Dance With The Devil’.

A hugely expanded 50th anniversary edition of their sole LP, ‘The Bedlam Anthology’ is a six-CD celebration of the band.

The first four CDs feature the original album mix, a new 2023 remix prepared by Denny Ball from the original multi-tracks, and a pair of thunderous live shows from late 1973 and early 1974, the latter recorded at the end of their American tour with Black Sabbath.

Disc Five is a 1970 Big Bertha live set taped during a brief tour of Germany, while Disc Six comprises a stack of 1968-1970 demos and singles, tracking the Ball/Ball/Powell triumvirate from their early days as Cream-inspired trio Ideal Milk through to associations with Ace Kefford and former Tintern Abbey frontman David MacTavish.